What is chlorosis?

Chlorosis is defined as a condition in plants characterized by the yellowing of leaves due to a loss of chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is the pigment responsible for the green color in leaves and plays a crucial role in photosynthesis, the process plants use to convert light energy into chemical energy. When chlorophyll production is impaired or its presence is reduced, it results in the yellowing of the leaves, indicating a deficiency in essential nutrients, particularly nitrogen, iron, or magnesium. This phenomenon can also occur due to environmental factors such as poor drainage, root damage, or diseases, reflecting the overall health of the plant.

The other options do not accurately describe chlorosis. Plant reproduction relates to the processes plants undergo to create offspring, the growth phase pertains to specific stages of a plant's life cycle, and soil types refer to the different compositions and characteristics of soil that influence plant growth, none of which encapsulate the specific condition of chlorosis.