Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Nitrogen is an essential macronutrient for plants.
Its physiological roles, mobility within the plant, and corresponding deficiency symptoms are critical to understanding plant nutrition.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us evaluate each statement:
- Statement A: Nitrogen is a key structural component of amino acids, proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids (RNA/DNA), and chlorophyll. This is correct.
- Statement B: Nitrogen is highly mobile within the plant.
When deficiency occurs, nitrogen is mobilized from older tissues and translocated to younger growing tissues.
Therefore, deficiency symptoms appear first on older leaves, not new leaves. This is incorrect.
- Statement C: Excess nitrogen promotes vigorous vegetative growth, which delays crop maturity rather than advancing it. This is incorrect.
- Statement D: Nitrogen deficiency causes chlorosis (yellowing), which begins at the tip of the older leaves and progresses in a 'V' shape along the midrib. This is correct.
- Statement E: Because of its high mobility, nitrogen is readily translocated from older senescing leaves to new developing leaves. This is correct.
Therefore, statements A, D, and E are correct.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct combination is A, D and E only.