Which of the following is a common sign of root disease that is observed above ground?

• A. Yellowing leaves and shoot dieback
• B. Bright red fruit
• C. New growth flush
• D. Seed production

Answer: (A)

Root diseases disrupt the plant’s ability to take up water and nutrients, so the canopy can’t stay healthy even if the soil moisture is adequate. When roots are damaged, leaves turn yellow and shoots die back because the plant isn’t getting enough resources to sustain the above-ground tissue. This above-ground decline is a common, visible sign that there’s a problem rooted in the roots. The other options describe features that aren’t tied to root health: bright red fruit is a fruiting trait, a new growth flush can occur for many reasons and doesn’t point to a root disease, and seed production isn’t a typical indicator of root problems. So yellowing leaves with shoot dieback best signals a root disease observed above ground.