Match List-I with List-II and choose the correct answer from the options given below:

List-I (Disease/Symptom)	List-II (Caused by deficiency of)
(A) Black heart of Potato	(I) Calcium
(B) Interveinal chlorosis of younger leaves	(II) Boron
(C) Whip-tail in Cauliflower	(III) Iron
(D) Die-back of terminal buds	(IV) Molybdenum

Correct option is B

Correct Answer: (b) (A)–(II), (B)–(III), (C)–(IV), (D)–(I)

A. Black heart of Potato — Boron deficiency

Boron deficiency affects internal tissue development of potato tubers.

It causes internal browning and necrosis inside the tuber, commonly called black heart or internal browning.

Boron plays an important role in cell wall formation, carbohydrate transport, and meristem growth.

B. Interveinal chlorosis of younger leaves — Iron deficiency

Iron deficiency first appears in young leaves because iron is immobile in plants.

The characteristic symptom is interveinal chlorosis, where veins remain green while the area between veins turns yellow.

Iron is essential for chlorophyll synthesis and enzyme activity.

C. Whip-tail in Cauliflower — Molybdenum deficiency

Molybdenum deficiency causes the whip-tail disorder in cauliflower.

Leaves become narrow, strap-like, and poorly developed, giving a whip-like appearance.

Molybdenum is important for nitrate reductase enzyme activity and nitrogen metabolism.

D. Die-back of terminal buds — Calcium deficiency

Calcium deficiency leads to death of growing points and terminal buds.

Symptoms include die-back of shoot tips, poor root development, and deformation of young tissues.

Calcium is essential for cell wall structure, membrane stability, and meristematic growth.

Therefore, the correct matching is:

A – II (Boron)

B – III (Iron)

C – IV (Molybdenum)

D – I (Calcium)

Information Booster:

Micronutrients in plants: Iron, Boron, Molybdenum, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Chlorine, Nickel.

Iron deficiency symptom: Interveinal chlorosis of young leaves.

Boron deficiency symptoms: Internal cork, hollow stem, black heart in tubers.

Molybdenum deficiency: Whiptail in cauliflower and poor nitrogen metabolism.

Calcium deficiency: Die-back of growing tips, blossom end rot in tomato, and tip burn in cabbage.

Explanation of Incorrect Options:

Option (a):

Incorrect because interveinal chlorosis is caused by iron deficiency, not boron.

Whip-tail is caused by molybdenum deficiency, not iron.

Option (c):

Incorrect because interveinal chlorosis is linked with iron deficiency, not boron.

Die-back of terminal buds is related to calcium deficiency, not iron.

Option (d):

Incorrect because whip-tail is caused by molybdenum deficiency, not calcium.

Die-back of terminal buds is associated with calcium deficiency, not boron.