Nutritional Deficiencies of Solanaceous crops (Tomato)

Nitrogen

Under N deficiency, older leaves gradually change from green to paler green. As the deficiency
progresses these older leaves become uniformly yellow (chlorotic). Leaves approach a yellowish
white color under extreme deficiency. The young leaves at the top of the plant maintain a green
but paler color and tend to become smaller in size. Branching is reduced resulting in short,
spindly plants. The yellowing in nitrogen deficiency is uniform over the entire leaf including the
veins.
Correction Measure: Recovery can be done by top dressing of urea of as recommended on soil
test basis or apply 2 % urea solution. Recovery of deficient plants to applied nitrogen is
immediate (days) and spectacular.

Phosphorus

The symptoms first develop on older leaves showing some necrotic spots and plants are dwarfed
or stunted. Phosphorus deficient plants develop very slowly. Plants develop a distinct purpling of
the stem, petiole and the under sides of the leaves. Under severe deficiency conditions there is a
tendency for leaves to develop a blue-gray luster.

Correction Measure: Soil application of recommended dose of phosphorous should be applied

at the time of sowing or planting.

Potassium

Since potassium is very mobile within the plant, symptoms only develop on young leaves in the
case of extreme deficiency. Some of the leaves show marginal necrosis (tip burn), and at a more
advanced deficiency status show inter-veinal necrosis. This group of symptoms is very
characteristic of K deficiency symptoms. As the deficiency progresses, most of the interveinal
area becomes necrotic, the veins remain green and the leaves tend to curl and crinkle. In contrast
to nitrogen deficiency, chlorosis is irreversible in potassium deficiency, even if potassium is
given to the plants.

Correction Measure: Foliar application of K2SO4 @1%.

Sulfur
This leaves show a general overall chlorosis. The veins and petioles show a very distinct reddish
color. The yellowing is much more uniform over the entire plant including young leaves. The
reddish color often found on the underside of the leaves. With advanced sulfur deficiency the
leaves tend to become more erect and often twisted and brittle.

Correction Measure: Foliar spray of K2SO4 or CaSO4 1% twice at fortnightly interval.

Magnesium

The Mg-deficient leaves show advanced interveinal chlorosis, in its advanced form, magnesium
deficiency may superficially resemble potassium deficiency. The symptoms generally start with
mottled chlorotic areas developing in the interveinal tissue.

Correction Measure: Foliar spray of MgSO4 @2%.

Manganese

The leaves show a light interveinal chlorosis developed under a limited supply of Mn. The early
stages of the chlorosis induced by manganese deficiency are somewhat similar to iron deficiency.
As the stress increases, the leaves develop dark necrotic areas along the veins.

Correction Measure: Foliar spray of MnSO4 @ 2%.

Molybdenum

The leaves show some mottled spotting along with some interveinal chlorosis. An early symptom
for molybdenum deficiency is a general overall chlorosis, similar to the symptom for nitrogen
deficiency but generally without the reddish coloration on the undersides of the leaves.

Correction Measure: Foliar spray of NaMO4 0.05% twice at weekly interval.

Zinc

The leaves show interveinal necrosis. In the early stages of zinc deficiency the younger leaves
become yellow and pitting develops in the interveinal upper surfaces of the mature leaves. As the
deficiency progress these symptoms develop into an intense interveinal necrosis but the main
veins remain green, as in the symptoms of recovering iron deficiency.

Correction Measure: Foliar spray of ZnSO4 @ 0.5%.

Boron
These boron-deficient leaves show a light general chlorosis. Boron deficiency results in necrosis
of meristematic tissues in the growing region, leading to loss of apical dominance and the
development of a rosette condition. These deficiency symptoms are similar to those caused by
calcium deficiency. The leaves are unusually brittle and tend to break easily. Also, there is often
a wilting of the younger leaves even under an adequate water supply, pointing to a disruption of
water transport caused by boron deficiency.

Correction Measure: Foliar spray of borax @ 0.2%.

Calcium

The calcium-deficient leaves show necrosis around the base of the leaves. The very low mobility
of calcium is a major factor determining the expression of calcium deficiency symptoms in
plants. Classic symptoms of calcium deficiency include blossom-end rot of tomato. Symptoms
show soft dead necrotic tissue at rapidly growing areas, which is generally related to poor
translocation of calcium to the tissue rather than a low external supply of calcium. This ultimately
results in the margins of the leaves growing more slowly than the rest of the leaf, causing the leaf
to cup downward. Plants under chronic calcium deficiency have a much greater tendency to wilt
than non-stressed plants.

Correction Measure: Foliar spray of 2% Calcium sulphate twice at weekly intervals.

Copper
The copper-deficient leaves are curled, and their petioles bend downward. Copper deficiency
may be expressed as a light overall chlorosis along with the permanent loss of turgor in the young
leaves. Recently matured leaves show netted, green veining with areas bleaching to a whitish
gray. Some leaves develop sunken necrotic spots and have a tendency to bend downward.

Correction Measure: Foliar spray of 0.5% CuSO4 twice at fortnightly interval.

Iron

The iron-deficient leaves show strong chlorosis at the base of the leaves with some green netting.
The most common symptom for iron deficiency starts out as an interveinal chlorosis of the
youngest leaves, evolves into an overall chlorosis, and ends as a totally bleached leaf. Because
iron has a low mobility, iron deficiency symptoms appear first on the youngest leaves. Iron
deficiency is strongly associated with calcareous soils, anaerobic conditions, and it is often
induced by an excess of heavy metals.

Correction Measure: Foliar spray of FeSO4 @ 0.5%.

Nutritional Deficiencies of Tuber crops ( Potato)

Nitrogen

The yellowing in nitrogen deficiency is uniform over the entire leaf including the veins.
Recovery of deficient plants to applied nitrogen is immediate (days) and spectacular. Younger
leaves turn darker green, older leaves remain yellow. Upward cupping of deficient when severs.

Correction measure: Foliar application of 2% urea thrice at fortnightly interval or soil

application of Nitrogen based on soil test recommendation.

Phosphorus

The symptoms first develop on older leaves showing some necrotic spots and plants are dwarfed
or stunted. Phosphorus deficient plants develop very slowly. Plants develop a distinct purpling of
the stem, petiole and the under sides of the leaves. Plant remains stunted, darker than normal
color. Lower leaf surface gray-green. Leaflets roll upward, severely if deficiency is severe.

Correction measure: Soil application of recommended dose of phosphorous should be applied

at the time of sowing or planting.
Potassium

Since potassium is very mobile within the plant, symptoms only develop on young and full sized
leaves in the case of extreme deficiency. Leaflets become rugose (crinkled). Some of the leaves
show marginal necrosis (tip burn), and at a more advanced deficiency status show interveinal
necrosis. As the deficiency progresses, most of the interveinal area becomes necrotic, the veins
remain green and the leaves tend to curl and crinkle. Leaves take on a scorched appearance with
black pigmentation and necrtic (dead tissue) edges. In contrast to nitrogen deficiency, chlorosis is
irreversible in potassium deficiency, even if potassium is given to the plants.

Correction measure: Foliar application of K2SO4 @1%.

Sulfur

This leaves show a general overall chlorosis. The veins and petioles show a very distinct reddish
color. The yellowing is much more uniform over the entire plant including young leaves. The
reddish color often found on the underside of the leaves. With advanced sulfur deficiency the
leaves tend to become more erect and often twisted and brittle. Leaflet yellowing is uniform and
general.
Correction measure: Apply gypsum@ 100 Kg /acre in soil and use sulphur containing fertilizers
e.g. SSP. Foliar spray of K2SO4 or CaSO4 @1% twice at fortnightly interval.

Magnesium

The Mg-deficient leaves show advanced inter veinal chlorosis. Interveinal necrosis causes
scorched look. In its advanced form, magnesium deficiency may superficially resemble
potassium deficiency. The symptoms generally start with mottled chlorotic areas developing in
the interveinal tissue. Symptoms appear first on young mature leaves.

Correction measure: Foliar application of 0.2% MgSO4.

Manganese

The leaves show a light interveinal chlorosis developed under a limited supply of Mn. The early
stages of the chlorosis induced by manganese deficiency are somewhat similar to iron deficiency.
As the stress increases, the leaves develop dark necrotic areas along the veins. Leave cup upward.
Browing spotting ocurs on leaflets, especially along larger veins and mid-ribs.

Correction measure: Spray 0.2 % manganese sulphate 2-3 times at weekly intervals.
Molybdenum

The leaves show some mottled spotting along with some inter veinal chlorosis. An early
symptom for molybdenum deficiency is a general overall chlorosis, similar to the symptom for
nitrogen deficiency but generally without the reddish coloration on the undersides of the leaves.

Correction measure: Foliar spray of NaMO4 0.05% twice at weekly interval.

Zinc

The leaves show interveinal necrosis. In the early stages of zinc deficiency the younger leaves
become yellow and pitting develops in the interveinal upper surfaces of the mature leaves. As the
deficiency progress these symptoms develop into an intense interveinal necrosis but the main
veins remain green, as in the symptoms of recovering iron deficiency.

Correction measure: Foliar spray of ZnSO4 @ 0.5%.

Boron
These boron-deficient leaves show a light general chlorosis. Boron deficiency results in necrosis
of meristematic tissues in the growing region, leading to loss of apical dominance and the
development of a rosette condition. These deficiency symptoms are similar to those caused by
calcium deficiency. The leaves are unusually brittle and tend to break easily. Also, there is often
a wilting of the younger leaves even under an adequate water supply, pointing to a disruption of
water transport caused by boron deficiency.

Correction measure: Foliar spray of borax @ 0.2%.

Calcium

The calcium-deficient leaves show necrosis around the base of the leaves. The very low mobility
of calcium is a major factor determining the expression of calcium deficiency symptoms in
plants. Symptoms show soft dead necrotic tissue at rapidly growing areas, which is generally
related to poor translocation of calcium to the tissue rather than a low external supply of calcium.
This ultimately results in the margins of the leaves growing more slowly than the rest of the leaf,
causing the leaf to cup downward. Plants under chronic calcium deficiency have a much greater
tendency to wilt than non-stressed plants.

Correction measure: Foliar spray of 2% Calcium sulphate twice at weekly intervals.

Copper

The copper-deficient leaves are curled, and their petioles bend downward. Copper deficiency
may be expressed as a light overall chlorosis along with the permanent loss of turgor in the young
leaves. Recently matured leaves show netted, green veining with areas bleaching to a whitish
gray. Some leaves develop sunken necrotic spots and have a tendency to bend downward.

Correction measure: Foliar spray of 0.5% CuSO4 twice at fortnightly interval.

Iron

The iron-deficient leaves show strong chlorosis at the base of the leaves with some green netting.
The most common symptom for iron deficiency starts out as an interveinal chlorosis of the
youngest leaves, evolves into an overall chlorosis, and ends as a totally bleached leaf. Because
iron has a low mobility, iron deficiency symptoms appear first on the youngest leaves. Iron
deficiency is strongly associated with calcareous soils, anaerobic conditions, and it is often
induced by an excess of heavy metals. Growing point and young leaves become yellow or in
extreme cases, white. Usually not accompanied by necrosis. Veins and leaflet ends remain green.

Correction measure: Soil application of 10 Kg/ acre FeSO4 orspray 0.5% ferrous sulphate
solution 2-3 times at weekly intervals.
 Nutritional deficiencies of Stone fruits (Mango)

Potassium

Symptoms

 Scorching of leaf margins is the characteristic symptom of potassium deficiency.

 Scorching starts from tip downwards. Fruit quality is reduced. Trees with potassium deficiency
are easily prone to pest and disease attack.

Management

 Application of 1 kg muriate of potash or sulphate of potash along with 2 kg urea and 6 kg super
phosphate during July-August in the basin could rectify potassium deficiency.
 Dropped leaves should also be incorporated along with manures to enrich the soil health and
fertility.

Zinc

Symptoms

 The leaves become small and narrow with leaf margins bent upward or downward. Inter nodal
length is reduced drastically and the twig with crowded leaves gives rosette appearance.
 Pale inferential areas and green veins are typical of zinc deficient leaves.
 The tree with zinc hunger does not grow well and the yield, size and quality of the fruit are
reduced.
 Small plants with severe zinc deficiency may die.
 Zinc deficiency is conspicuously seen in alkaline, saline and sandy soils

Management

 Zinc deficiency can be rectified by spraying of zinc sulphate 5 g +10g urea /1water twice at 15
days interval.

Iron

Symptoms

 The leaves loose green colour and turn white and is called “Bleaching”.
 The size of the leaf is reduced. In severe cases of iron deficiency, the leaves dry from tip
downwards.
 The deficiency is common in soils with high calcium content. Hence, the effect is known as
“calcium induced iron chlorosis”.

Management

 Two sprays at fortnight interval with ferrous sulphate 2.5 g per liter.

Boron

Symptoms
 Cracking of fruit is the characteristic symptom of boron deficiency.
 Lusterless leathery leaves with thickened veins are the other associated symptoms.
 Brown areas in yellow fruit pulp are conspicuous.

Management

 Application of 250gm boron per tree (10-15 year old) with recommended dose of manures during
July-August.

Salt injury / Toxicity

Symptoms

 The leaves are scorched due to excess salt in soil or irrigation water. The leaves lose their natural
colour and turn to bronze colour.
 Tip burning is also seen in severe cases of salt injury.

Management

 Raise Diancha as green manure crop with onset of monsoon in the inter-spaces of the orchard
during tree bearing years and remove.
 Farm yard manure and compost should be applied adequately every year.
 Gypsum filled gunny bag if kept in flowing irrigation water will reduce salt effect.

Copper

Symptoms
 Copper deficiency symptoms frequently develop on young trees which generally occur due to
heavy nitrogenous fertilization.
 It may also be accompanied by Zinc deficiency symptoms.
 The appearance of weak terminal shoots followed by defoliation and die back of branches, on the
top of long drooping or shaped branches of the proceeding cycle of growth usually makes evident
that copper is needed.

Management

 Application / spraying of Copper (250 g/ 10 years tree) or Copper oxychloride(0.3%) at monthly

interval.
Nutrition Deficiency symptoms of cole crops (cabbage, cauliflower,broccoli
etc..)

Macro-nutrients

Nitrogen (N)

The nitrogen requirement of cole crops is relatively high. It is generally accepted that high-
yielding crops, such as cabbages, as well as those with long growing seasons, such as Brussels
sprouts or late-maturing large-framed cauliflower (like Snowcap), require 200 kg to 250 kg
nitrogen per hectare. Broccoli and early- maturing cauliflower need 150 kg to 200 kg nitrogen for
good yields. Half to two-thirds of the nitrogen is broadcast and ploughed in shortly before
planting, together with the phosphorus and potassium requirements. The rest of the nitrogen is
applied as side-dressings, early in growth; usually 2 to 3 weeks after transplanting and again
about 3 weeks later, or all at about 6 weeks. On sandy soils subject to leaching more of the
nitrogen is applied as side-dressings than is the case on heavier soils.

Symptoms

Deficiency symptoms are that leaves are smaller than normal, with an overall pale green or
yellowish colour. The lower, more mature leaves are affected first, but all leaves may be deficient
in severe cases. Stems tend to be thin and hard. Plants grow slowly.
Phosphorus (P)

In cole crops phosphorus promotes root development and thus ensures more vigorous growth,
especially of young plants. Where the phosphorus status of the soil has been built up over several
years, 40 kg of applied P per hectare should be adequate for most crops. On the more acid soils,
or on soils deficient in phosphorus, best results are obtained by banding the fertilizer.

Symptoms

Plants deficient in this element also tend to grow slowly. Stems are thin and shortened. Leaves
develop a purple coloration, first on the underside, and later throughout. Older leaves are affected
first.

Potassium (K)

The potassium usage of cole crops is also high. Plant analyses indicate that they take up
approximately as much potassium as nitrogen. Although total yields are seldom affected, except
where severe deficiencies occur, quality is reduced. Heads tend to be softer and looser. Broccoli
and cauliflower heads tend to have loose margins. Keeping quality is much reduced. Very high
rates of potassium can increase the incidence of cracking in cabbages, and may also increase tip-
burn, and calcium and manganese deficiencies.
Symptoms

K deficiencies show up mainly on leaf margins, where the older leaves develop chlorosis and
grey or tan areas near the margins, leading to "marginal scorch" or die-back.

Secondary and micro-nutrients

Calcium (Ca)

Cole crops have a high calcium requirement. Deficiencies may occur on acid soils, on soils with
very high potassium, or on very dry soils where calcium uptake is reduced.

Symptoms

Deficiencies cause a condition known as tip- burn, where the tips and margins of leaves become
paler and paper thin, and eventually die back. Tip-burn is thus much more of a problem with
cabbages and Brussels sprouts, because it can affect the edible part of the plant. Most deficiencies
occur where the absorption and translocation of calcium within the plant are reduced by
environmental factors. Drought and high temperature conditions favour the occurrence of tip -
burn and it is thus often more prevalent in summer crops than in those grown over winter. The
use of calcium nitrate, or similar materials, as foliar sprays, can alleviate the condition.

Magnesium (Mg)

Magnesium deficiencies occur mainly on acid soils, on very light soils subject to leaching or on
soils with a very high potassium level. Initially, older leaves show yellowing between the veins.
Younger leaves may be affected later. Older leaves may drop with prolonged deficiency.

Management

It may be corrected by spraying with 5 kg/ha of magnesium sulphate.

Molybdenum (Mo)

Cole crops are very susceptible to a molybdenum deficiency, with cauliflower accepted as being
a very good indicator plant for such deficiencies. In seedbeds the first indication of a deficiency
is a yellowing of the foliage, similar to that of a nitrogen deficiency. Young developing leaves
become distorted, particularly in cauliflowers, showing the so- called "whiptail" symptoms; the
mid-rib of the leaf develops normally, but the leaf blade does not fill out properly resulting in
narrow, distorted leaves. The curds tend to be small, open and loose. Leaf symptoms on other
cole crops are much less obvious than on cauliflowers.
Management

Spray the plants with sodium - or ammonium-molybdate at the very first signs of deficiency, at
the rate of 125 g in 500 l water per hectare. Should the deficiency be severe, a follow-up spray
using 60 g of the chemical may be applied. Malformed leaves will not recover, but subsequent
growth should be normal. Do not over-supply molybdenum as it can harm the plants.
Molybdenum may also reach toxic levels in human tissues, but the levels of the element derived
from consumption of these vegetables is less than from other sources. Routine spraying may be
necessary in areas where molybdenum deficiency occurs. Adequate liming of acid soils before
planting will increase the availability of molybdenum

Boron

Soils in the high-rainfall areas of KZN are often low in available boron, and deficiencies may be
expected on such soils. Should deficiencies be known to occur, cole crops, especially cauliflower,
will respond well to foliar sprays of, for example, Solubor. Usually 3 kg will correct such
deficiencies. Where any bean crop is included in the rotation, rather under- than over-apply
boron, because high rates of boron can be very toxic to these crops (toxicity symptoms may be
manifested in beans when soil boron levels are above 5 ppm).
Symptom

A deficiency is characterised by an internal discolouration and cracking of the stem at the base of
the head. A roughness, almost a cork-like appearance, on the lower surface of the mid-rib of the
leaves, also occurs. Deficiency causes a browning of cauliflower curds. Internal cracking of the
stem of broccoli, without any discolouration, is common when the plants grow rapidly, especially
at lower plant populations. This symptom should not be confused with a boron deficiency, which
causes an internal discolouration.

Manganese (Mn)

Soil manganese is most available to plants on acid soils and may even reach toxic levels on very
acid soils. Deficiencies of this element are encountered only on soils with a pH (KCI) of over 5.5.
The deficiency may be corrected by a foliar spray of 5 kg/ha of manganese sulphate, or 2 to 3
kg/ha of manganese oxide, as soon as the deficiency is observed.

Symptoms
The deficiency initially causes yellowish mottled areas to develop between the veins of the
younger leaves. This finally results in an overall pale appearance. Toxicity levels of manganese
and aluminium can be reached in acid conditions at the root zone of cole crops.

Iron (Fe)

Deficiencies only occur on calcareous, alkaline soils with a pH (KCl) of over 7,0. Symptoms are
very similar to those caused by manganese, and also occur first on the younger leaves. Yellowing
is normally more intense than is the case with a manganese deficiency.

Management

A foliar spray with 1% iron sulphate or chelate should overcome the problem.

Zinc (Zn)

Cole crops are less affected by zinc deficiencies than most other crops.