* Silver jumps to highest since late February
* Gold to average $1,775/oz in Q2 - analyst
* Graphic: 2021 asset performance http://tmsnrt.rs/2yaDPgn (New throughout, updates prices, market activity and comments)
By Swati Verma
May 4 (Reuters) - Palladium soared to a record high on Tuesday on worries over short supplies of the metal used in emissions controlling devices in automobiles, while gold fell 1% after U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said interest rates may need to rise.
Spot palladium XPD= rose 0.2% to $2,976.90 per ounce by 1:45 p.m. EDT (1745 GMT), after hitting an all-time high of $3,017.18.
"There are stricter pollution controls globally that we've not seen in the past, which means vehicles that were not previously required to use auto-catalysts will now have to, and hence more demand," said Bart Melek, head of commodity strategies at TD Securities.
"For the foreseeable future, the market will be in physical deficit and prices will go higher," he added.
Concerns about supply shortages were exacerbated after top producer Nornickel GMKN.MM announced disruptions at two mines due to flooding. gold XAU= fell over 1% after Yellen said U.S. interest rates may need to rise to prevent the economy from overheating as more support programs come on line. was last down 0.9% to $1,776.73 per ounce. U.S. gold futures GCv1 settled down 0.9% at $1,776.
Higher interest rates increase the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion.
"Gold failing for the fourth time in two weeks ahead of $1,800, which has been the top of the range, triggered some profit taking before it dove $20 on Yellen's unexpected comment," said Tai Wong, head of metals derivatives trading at BMO.
"Yellen had a long and consistent history as a dove at the Fed."
Also reducing bullion's allure for other currency holders was a stronger dollar .DXY . USD/
"We continue to see prices averaging $1,775/oz in Q2, given the physical market has cushioned the downside, ETP (exchange-traded products) outflows have started to slow and the dovish Fed messaging keeps risks skewed to the upside," said Standard Chartered (LON:STAN) analyst Suki Cooper. GOL/AS
Silver XAG= fell 1.8% to $26.40 per ounce, after hitting its highest since Feb. 26, while platinum XPT= eased 0.2% to $1,227.73.