plant nutrient imbalance symptoms

Plant Nutrient Imbalance Symptoms

M. Elena Garcia, ProfessorHorticulture Dept.

University of Arkansas

Visual Observations

Visual symptoms you do not want to see!

Deficiency Range Sufficiency Toxicity Range

Relative Foliar Nutrient Content

TREE

RES

PON

SE

NitrogenRole

Primary building block for all plant parts- leaves, shoots, roots, fruit buds etc.

Symptoms Older leaves affected first. Leaves are small, uniformly light green or yellowish. Tips and margins may show necrosis. Bark is yellowish orange. Shoots/spurs-short, thin and spindly. Fruit set may be reduced.

SourcesAnimal manures, fish meal, blood meal, fish emulsion, Chilean nitrate.

Nitrogen Demand by Crops

High demand (more than 120 lb N/acre removed in one season)

Moderate demand (between 50 and 120 lb N/ acre removed in one season)

Low demand (less than 50 lb/acre removed in one season)

Corn Most vegetable crops Root crops (carrots, sweet potatoes)

Potatoes Short-stemmed cereals Tall-stemmed cereals

Tomatoes Garden legumes (peas, beans)

Orchards

Celery Turfgrasses

Forage (hay, pasture)

(Baker, 2010)

Nitrogen

APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants

Potassium

RoleEnzyme activator, necessary for the formation and translocation of sugars, proteins, plant growth hormones.

Symptoms Older leaves affected first, necrosis advancing from margins toward mid-rib; slender shoots and weak spurs; more susceptible to winter injury; smaller, poorly colored, low acidity fruit.SourcesK chloride (muriate of potash), K sulfate, KMg sulfate, Greensand, kelp meal .


Potassium Demand by Crops

High demand (more than 100 lb K/acre removed in one season)

Moderate demand ( 50 to 100 lb K /acre removed in one season)

Low demand (less than 50 lb K/acre removed in one season)

Corn Most vegetable crops Orchard crops

Alfalfa Small grains

Celery

(Baker, 2010)

Phosphorous

RoleCellular energy transfer and storage; nucleic acid component or regulator cofactor.

SymptomsDeficiencies generally not seen in fruit crops. New leaves are small, bluish green, margins or main veins or undersides of leaves having purple pigmentation. Older leaves drop early. Flowering is reduced. Affects fruit quality.

SourcesBone meal, fish meal, rock phosphate.


Phosphorous Demand by Crops

High demand (30 lb P/acre removed in one season

Moderate demand (between 15 and 30 lb P/acre removed in one season)

Low demand (less than 15 lb P/acre removed in one season)

Corn Most vegetable crops Peppers

Potatoes Orchards

Tomatoes Beans

Celery

Cucumber

Forage (hay, pasture)

(Baker, 2010)

Magnesium Role

Molecular component of chlorophyll ; enzyme activator.

SymptomsOlder and mid-shoot leaves, and those on spurs bearing fruit are affected first. Yellow-brown necrotic areas; shoots and spurs are thin, weak, and brittle; blind wood and premature fruit drop.

SourcesKMg sulfate, Mg sulfate (Epsom salts).


Calcium

RoleOne of the most important element for fruit quality. Component of cell wall; regulates nutrient uptake and movement in plant.

Symptoms Deficiency symptoms difficult to identify in leaves. Shoot and root growth inhibited; storage disorders-bitter.SourcesCalcium chloride from approved sources (extracted from brine, foliar only), bone meal, gypsum, lime

BoronRole

Aids in formation of pollen tube and feeder roots, and translocation of Ca, sugars, plant hormones.

SymptomsFlower development and fruit set decreased; young leaves often small, misshapen; corkiness in fruit flesh, wrinkled skin, SourcesSoulbor, Borax.

TOXICITY APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants

Boron Toxicity

Iron

RoleRequired for chlorophyll formation; a chloroplast enzyme component

SymptomsChlorosis of tip leaves while veins remain green. Shoot growth is stunted and may die back.

SourcesChealted materials (care must be taken not to burn leaves).


Copper

Role: Important enzyme component, chlorophyll synthesis, carbohydrate and protein metabolism

Symptoms: Terminal buds die. Chlorotic leaves. Stunted growth. Younger leaves are affected first. Leaves are stunted or misshapen with irregular margins. Whitish, mottled chlorosis between veins. Fruit color, quality, and size are affected

SourcesChealted materials (care must be taken not to burn leaves)


ZincRole

Component or regulator cofactor of enzymes, plant hormones proteins (i.e.. aids in normal growth and fruiting).

SymptomsLeaves at shoot tip are stunted and misshapen with mottled necrosis; little leaf disease; leaf rosettes may be confused with winter injury; reduced fruit set and, quality, and size.

SourcesChealted materials (care must be taken not to burn leaves), Bordeaux mixture


Manganese Toxicity

Deficiency

Apple


plant nutrient imbalance symptoms

Environment