Growth restricted. The leaves show interveinal necrosis. In the early stages of zinc deficiency the younger leaves become yellow and pitting develops in the interveinal upper surfaces of the mature leaves. As the deficiency progress these symptoms develop into an intense interveinal necrosis but the main veins remain green.

Deficiencies result in stunted plant growth with noticeable twisting and faint interveinal chlorosis of the leaves. Onions are very sensitive to zinc deficiencies.