What are nutrient deficiency symptoms?

Nutrient deficiency symptoms refer specifically to the visible signs that occur in plants when they lack essential nutrients. When a plant does not receive adequate amounts of certain nutrients, it may exhibit various symptoms such as yellowing leaves, stunted growth, leaf necrosis, or poor fruit development. These symptoms are critical for diagnosing nutrient deficiencies and can guide growers in adjusting their fertilization practices to ensure plant health and optimize yields.

The other options do not pertain to nutrient deficiencies. Observations of pest infestations relate to biological stress factors, while changes in soil texture after heavy rainfall are connected to environmental conditions rather than plant nutrient status. Unexpected flowering patterns can result from a variety of factors, including genetic makeup and environmental stress, but they do not directly indicate nutrient deficiencies. Understanding the distinction between these different signals is essential for effective crop management.