22 Aug Plant Nutrient deficiencies
Posted at 09:28h
in Nutrient Deficiency
Typical Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms Seen On Plant Foliage
Boron
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Leaf distortion and leaf texture changes
Death of growing points
Cracking and rotting
Poor fertilization and fruit set
MADE WORSE BY
High pH soils
Sandy soils
High levels of nitrogen or calcium
Cold wet weather and periods of drought
ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITION
Meristem growth
Carbohydrate metabolism
Synthesis of nucleic acids
Pollen germination
CALCIUM
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Bitter pit in fruit
Loss of fruit firmness
Corky fruits
Senescent breakdown of fruit
Low storage potential of fruit
Blossom end rot of tomatoes
Cavity spot in carrots
MADE WORSE BY
High nitrogen application (leading to vigorous shoot production)
Hot dry seasons
High levels of potassium
Large sized fruits
ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITION
Cell division and elongation
Proper working and permeability of cell membranes
COPPER
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Spiraling of leaves, especially the flag leaf of cereals
Chlorosis of lead tips
Stunted plants
Poorly filled ears (cereals)
MADE WORSE BY
Organic, chalky or sandy soils
Reclaimed health land
High nitrogen application
ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITION
Involved in may enzyme processes
Necessary for proper photosynthesis
Involved in the manufacture of lignin (cell walls)
Involved in grain production
IRON
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Yellowing (Chlorosis) of youngest leaves
MADE WORSE BY
High pH soils
Calcareous soils
High levels of copper
Poorly drained crops
ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITION
Necessary for the formation of chlorophyll
Necessary for photosynthesis
Necessary for the formation of proteins
POTASSIUM
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Mottled Chlorosis, necrosis (especially at tips and margins between veins)
Older leaves most affected
In cereals, weak stalks, roots more susceptible to disease
MADE WORSE BY
High rainfall – leaching of soils
Soils with high illite-type clay minerals
ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITION
Enzyme activator and coenzyme functions
Protein synthesis
Stomata function, turgor potential
MAGNESIUM
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Inter-veinal Chlorosis
Symptoms appear first on older leaves
Reduced crop growth
MADE WORSE BY
Sandy or acidic soils
Soils rich in potassium or soils receiving high K applications
Cold wet periods
ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITION
Part of the chlorophyll molecule
Involved in phosphate and nitrogen metabolism
Involved in protein synthesis
Involved in water uptake by the plant
MANGANESE
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Inter-veinal Chlorosis (marbling) of younger leaves
Pale stiping and brown spots on cereals
Floppy plants (cereals)
Upright growth habit and triangular leaves on sugar beet
MADE WORSE BY
Organic or sandy soils
High pH
Cold wet periods
“Fluffy” soils
ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITION
Activator of many enzyme processes
Involved in nitrate reduction
Necessary for photosynthesis
Protein synthesis
Molybdenum
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Reduced plant growth (symptoms of N deficiency)
Reduced leaf area (whiptail in cauliflowers)
MADE WORSE BY
Low pH soils (acid conditions)
Low levels of organic matter
ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITION
Necessary for nitrogen metabolism
Necessary for chlorophyll
Involved in iron and phosphate metabolism
Nitrogen
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Lack of growth or stunted growth
General yellowing of foliage, older leaves first
Loss of leaves under severe deficiency
Purplish colouration due to accumulation of anthocyanin pigments
MADE WORSE BY
Low organic matter
High carbon (straw) residues added to soils
ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITION
Amino acid synthesis
Protein, coenzymes, nucleic acid formation
Chlorophyll and ATP synthesis
Phosphorus
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Reduced growth
Production of dark green foliage
Reduced tillering in cereals
Reddening or yellowing of leaf margins and necrosis of older leaves
Reduced fruit quality and storage potential
MADE WORSE BY
Low organic matter
Acidic soils or very alkaline soils
Cold wet conditions
High calcium levels
ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITION
Energy transfer
Formation of nucleic acids
Protein synthesis
Cell membrane component
SULPHUR
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
General yellowing of young leaves
Usually no necrosis of leaves
Reduced or stunted growth
MADE WORSE BY
Low organic matter soils
High rainfall, cold wet soils
Poor soil aeration
ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITION
Constituent of proteins, amino acids (thiamine), coenzymes A and vitamins (biotin)
Necessary for synthesis of oils in plants
ZINC
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Stunted plants
Pale stripes to the leaf mid rib (maize)
Formation of rosettes (fruit trees)
Formation of small leaves
Chlorosis of young leaves
MADE WORSE BY
Organic soils
High pH soils
Soils rich in phosphorus application
Cold wet conditions
ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITION
Necessary for the correct functioning of many enzyme systems
Necessary for the synthesis of nucleic acids
Necessary for auxcin (plant hormone) metabolism
