POTASSIUM• DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS: Mottles

Chlorosis, necrosis (especially at tips andmargins between veins). Older leavesmost affected. In cereals, weak stalks,roots more susceptible to disease

• ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITIONEnzymeactivator and coenzyme functions. Proteinsynthesis. Stomata function, turgorpotential

Potassium deficiency

SULPHUR

• DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS : Generalyellowing of young leaves. Usually nonecrosis of leaves. Reduced or stuntedgrowth

• ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITIONConstituent of proteins, amino acids(thiamine), coenzymes A and vitamins(biotin). Necessary for synthesis of oils inplants

Sulphur deficiency

CALCIUM

• DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS: Bitter pit infruit. Loss of fruit firmness. Corky fruits.Senescent breakdown of fruit. Lowstorage potential of fruit. Blossom end rotof tomatoes. Cavity spot in carrots

• ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITIONCelldivision and elongation. Proper workingand permeability of cell membranes

Calcium deficiency

• Calcium deficiency in strawberries

MAGNESIUM

• DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS Inter-veinalChlorosis. Symptoms appear first on olderleaves. Reduced crop growth

• ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITION Part ofthe chlorophyll molecule. Involved inphosphate and nitrogen metabolismInvolved in protein synthesis. Involved inwater uptake by the plant

Magnesium deficiency

MANGANESE

• DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS: Inter-veinalChlorosis (marbling) of younger leaves.Pale stiping and brown spots on cereals.Floppy plants (cereals). Upright growthhabit and triangular leaves on sugar beet

• ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITIONActivatorof many enzyme processes. Involved innitrate reduction. Necessary forphotosynthesis. Protein synthesis

Manganese deficiency

• Manganese Deficient Beans

MOLYBDENUM

• DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS Reducedplant growth (symptoms of N deficiency)Reduced leaf area (whiptail incauliflowers)

• ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITIONNecessaryfor nitrogen metabolism. Necessary forchlorophyll. Involved in iron andphosphate metabolism

Molybdenum deficiency

BORON• DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS Leaf

distortion and leaf texture changes. Deathof growing points. Cracking and rotting.Poor fertilization and fruit set

• ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITIONMeristemgrowth. Carbohydrate metabolism.Synthesis of nucleic acids. Pollengermination

Boron deficiency

IRON

• DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMSYellowing(Chlorosis) of youngest leaves

• MADE WORSE BYHigh pH soils.Calcareous soils. High levels of copper.Poorly drained crops

• ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITIONNecessaryfor the formation of chlorophyll. Necessaryfor photosynthesis. Necessary for theformation of proteins

Iron deficiency

ZINC

• DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMSStuntedplants. Pale stripes to the leaf mid rib(maize). Formation of rosettes (fruittrees)Formation of small leaves. Chlorosisof young leaves

• ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITIONNecessaryfor the correct functioning of manyenzyme systems. Necessary for thesynthesis of nucleic acids. Necessary forauxcin (plant hormone) metabolism

Zinc deficiency

COPPER

• DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS: Spiralling ofleaves, especially the flag leaf of cereals.Chlorosis of lead tips. Stunted plants.Poorly filled ears (cereals)

• MADE WORSE BYOrganic, chalky orsandy soils. Reclaimed health land. Highnitrogen application

• ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITIONInvolvedin may enzyme processes. Necessary forproper photosynthesis. Involved in themanufacture of lignin (cell walls). Involvedin grain production

Copper deficiency