What term describes the death of vegetation starting at tips of leaves?

What term describes the death of vegetation starting at tips of leaves?

• A. Erosion
• B. Dieback
• C. Depletion
• D. Desiccation

Answer: (B)

Dieback describes the gradual death of plant parts that begins at the tips of shoots or leaves and progresses backward toward the stem. This pattern is a common sign of stress or damage to the plant, such as drought, nutrient or salt imbalance, disease, or root problems, where the outermost growth is affected first. It helps distinguish the symptom from other issues: erosion is soil loss, desiccation is extreme drying of tissues, and depletion is a general reduction of resources rather than a specific dying-back pattern.

Dieback describes the gradual death of plant parts that begins at the tips of shoots or leaves and progresses backward toward the stem. This pattern is a common sign of stress or damage to the plant, such as drought, nutrient or salt imbalance, disease, or root problems, where the outermost growth is affected first. It helps distinguish the symptom from other issues: erosion is soil loss, desiccation is extreme drying of tissues, and depletion is a general reduction of resources rather than a specific dying-back pattern.