posted by Martin Botha on Sep 27
TYPICAL NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY SYPTOMS SEEN ON PLANT FOLIAGE
Chart above obtained and used with permission from Micnelf USA Inc.
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 | Spiralling 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 | Mottles 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 metabolismInvolved 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 conditionsHigh calcium levels |
| ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITION | Energy transfer. Formation of nucleic acids. Protein synthesis. Cell membrane component |
|
|
| 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 |
