PLANT NUTRIENT

DEFICIENCY
SYMPTOMS
 General description of plant nutrient deficiency
symptoms:

Chlorosis Yellowing of leaves

Interveinal chlorosis - striping Leaf tissue between

veins turns yellow while the veins remain
green

Necrosis Complete drying and

death of plant tissue

Stunting Shortened internodes

Abnormal coloration Red, purple, brown

colors caused by pigments
Nutrient deficiency needs no elaborate equipment but
requires great skill of troubleshooter
• Classification/manifestation of symptoms
– Complete crop failure
– Stunting
– Poor yield and quality
– Leaf discoloration
– Root stunting

• Diagnosis is difficult because symptoms overlaps, symptom’s indirect effect

due to imbalance in relation to other elements, pest and disease damage may
look the same

• Hidden hunger is when plants need more of a nutrient but no symptom is

exhibited. However, optimum yield is not attained

• Environmental effects
– There may be enough of the nutrient but drought or waterlogging may
inhibit absorption.
– Pest damage to roots can also produce artificial deficiency.
 Possible causes of nutrient deficiencies:
•
1) Insufficient amount of available nutrient in
soil. The chemical characteristics of soil may reduce
availability of nutrients.
2) The nutrient is positionally unavailable.
3) Underdeveloped root system which may be due
to cool, wet, dry, or compacted soil.
4) Root injury due to mechanical, insect, disease,
or herbicide injury.
5) Genetics of the plant.
 Indicator plant for nutritional deficiency
• Nitrogen – corn, citrus
• Phosphorus – lettuce, tomato, corn and annuals in general
• Potassium –potato, bean, tobacco, cucurbits, cotton,
tomato, corn
• Calcium – alfalfa
• Magnesium – cauliflower, broccoli, potato, corn
• Sulfur – not specific
• Boron – celery, cauliflower, cabbage
• Copper – not specific
• Iron – cauliflower
• Manganese – citrus, sugar beet
• Molybdenum – tomato, lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli, citrus
• Zinc – citrus, corn, field bean, cotton, onion, sorghum,
tomato
Symptoms and Nutrient Deficiencies on
Corn
 Nitrogen Response/Deficiencies on
Cassava and Rice

Nitrogen response in sand culture

NITROGEN DEFICIENCY ON CORN
• N deficiency is a
chlorosis of the older
leaves that begins at
the tip of the leaf and
proceeds down the
midrib.

• As the deficiency
becomes more
intense leaves higher,
and higher on the
plant are affected.
 Nitrogen Deficiencies on Corn
Symptom:
Yellow coloration in a ‘V’ shaped pattern
• progresses from leaf end to leaf collar
• progresses from lower to upper leaves
Causes:
• under-application of N fertilizer needs
• underestimation of N release in manure
• leaching of nitrate (rainfall/irrigation)
• loss of N as a gas after water ponding or in
compacted sites
• onset of dryer weather
Remedies: (Corresponds to numbers above)
• appropriate fertilizer N application
• analyze manure for N content
• apply irrigation level appropriate for soil
• install drainage tiles in heavier soils and /or
minimize field compaction
• irrigate if possible
 NITROGEN DEFICIENCY ON SOYBEANS

• Nitrogen:
Symptom: Yellow coloration
(lower leaves are pale)

Causes:
• uninoculated soybean seeds
• ineffective N fixation in
cooler/wetter soils
• Remedies: (Corresponds to
numbers above)
• inoculate seeds with fresh
inoculant
• install drainage tiles in heavier
soils
N Zn S Mn Si Deficiencies on Rice
Phosphorus Deficiencies on Cassava

Phosphorus deficiency Phosphate response in solution culture/

deficiency
Phosphorus Deficiency on Corn
• P deficiency is
characterized by dark
green plants and purplish
leaves. The purple color is
due to anthocyanin.

• P deficient plants are typically

spindly." Because of the marked
effect that P deficiency has on
retarding overall growth, striking
foliar symptoms that are evidence
of deficiency in certain other
nutrients, for example N and K,
are seldom observed.
Lime Deposit
Phosphorus Deficiencies
Symptom:
Purple coloration of lower leaves
Causes:
• under-application of P fertilizer needs
• cooler/wetter weather
(environmental)
• planted P inefficient hybrids
• inherited tendency of some hybrids
Remedies: (Corresponds to numbers
above)
• apply fertilizer P as a ‘starter’
application
• avoid earliest planting dates (warmer
weather can correct symptoms)
• plant P efficient hybrids
 P-Fixation by Iron, Aluminum and
Calcium

Fe+3 + H2PO4 + H2O -- 3Fe H2PO4(OH)2 + 2H+

Al+3 + H2PO4 + H2O -- 3AlH2PO4(OH)2 + 2H+

3Ca++ + H2PO4--- Ca3 (PO4)2 + 4H+

3Zn2 + 2P04-------- Zn(P04)2

Zn + NH4P04 -------- ZnNH4P04
 Calcareous Soil
Soils with high level of calcium makes soil pH
high which will result in fixation of
phosphorus:
(3Ca++ + H2PO4--- Ca3 (PO4)2 + 4H+)

and subsequent reduction of the availability of

micronutrients such as Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu and B.
 Iron/Zinc deficiency
Zinc and Iron deficiencies

Iron deficiency
 Potassium Deficiencies
Symptoms:
Yellow and brown coloration of leaf
margins
• occurs first on lower leaves
• may progress to upper leaves
Causes:
• under-application of K fertilizer needs
• cooler/wetter weather (environmentally
induced)
• Plant K inefficient hybrids
Remedies: (Corresponds to numbers above)
• apply appropriate fertilizer K rate
• avoid earliest planting dates (warmer
weather can correct symptoms)
• plant K efficient hybrids
Potassium Deficiency on Corn
• Potassium deficiency is
chlorosis of the lower, older
leaves that begins at the
leaf tip and proceeds down
the leaf margins.

• As the severity of K
deficiency increases
thesymptoms proceed up
the affected plants.
 Potassium Deficiencies
Symptom:
Yellow and brown coloration of leaf
margins
• occurs first on lower leaves
• may progress to upper leaves
Causes:
• under-application of K fertilizer needs
• cooler/wetter weather (environmental)
• planted K inefficient hybrids
Remedies: (Corresponds to numbers above)
• apply appropriate fertilizer K rate
• avoid earliest planting dates (warmer
weather can correct symptoms)
• plant K efficient hybrids
Potassium Deficiency on Corn

• Note that the

upper leaves
remain a deep
green. This is a
good example of
a nutrient that is
mobile in the
plant.
Potassium Deficiency on Soybean
• Potassium deficiency
symptoms on soybean are
chlorosis of the leaf edges
of older, lower leaves.

• As with corn, as the severity

of the deficiency increases
the symptoms progress up
the plant to newer leaves.
Potassium Deficiency on Alfalfa
• Potassium
deficiency
symptoms on
alfalfa are
white spots on
the edges of
lower, older
leaves.
 N P K Ca Deficiencies
Different NPKCa deficiencies

Potassium deficiency
Coconut in high rainfall area
 Calcium Deficiencies
Root growth response to Calcium

Calcium deficiency
Calcium Deficiency
• Calcium
deficiency
symptoms on
corn are a failure
of the leaf tips to
separate from
the whorl. This is
often called
"laddering".
 Sulfur/Magnesium/Calcium and Nitrogen Deficiencies
Mg, Ca and S deficiencies (water
culture)

Sulfur deficiency in an oxisol

Sulfur Deficiencies
• Sulfur
deficiency
results in small,
light green corn
plants.

• Sulfur deficiency
on alfalfa is
exhibited as
small, light
green plants.
 Magnesium and Manganese
Deficiencies/Toxicity

Manganese deficiency

Magnesium Deficiency
Poor root development due
to Mn toxicity
Magnesium deficiency of grapes
Structure of chlorophyll molecules in chloroplasts
of plants
CH3 in chlorophyll a

CHO in chlorophyll b
CH2

CH H CH3

C C C
H3C C C C C CH2 CH3 Porphyrin ring:
C N N C Light-absorbing
“head” of molecule;
H C Mg C H
note magnesium
H3C C N N C atom at center
C C C C CH3
H C C C
H
CH2 H C C

CH2 O
O

C O O

O CH3

CH2

Hydrocarbon tail:
interacts with hydrophobic
regions of proteins inside
thylakoid membranes of
chloroplasts: H atoms not
shown
Magnesium deficiency on GRAPE FRUIT
Magnesium deficiency on BROCCOLI
Manganese Deficiency on Corn
• Manganese
deficiency is
interveinal
chlorosis of
the upper,
new leaves of
corn.
Manganese Deficiency on Soybeans
• Manganese deficiency
of soybean is interveinal
chlorosis of the upper,
new leaves.
Manganese and iron
deficiency
Symptoms are difficult
if not impossible to tell
apart.
 Calcium Deficiencies
Root growth response to Calcium

Calcium deficiency
 Copper Deficiency
Copper deficiency in nutrient solution

Poor root growth due to cupper

deficiency
Effect of gradual increase in supply of copper on growth of
lucerne In pots
Affected crop (IRRI)
Iron Deficiency
• Iron deficiency
symptoms are
interveinal chlorosis
of the upper, new
corn leaves.

• Iron deficiency
symptoms on soybean
are interveinal
chlorosis of the upper,
new leaves.
 Aridisols
12% Worldwide
9% US

Dry soils; arid to semi-arid environments

Typically less plant growth, A horizon with less OM
Can have many types of B horizons, but Bk’s are
common
 Iron Deficiencies
Symptoms:
Yellow coloration between
leaf veins / total yellow leaf
• occurs in upper leaves
Causes:
• soil has high pH (>7.5) or high
salt
• planted Fe inefficient varieties
Remedies: (Corresponds to
numbers above)
• install drainage tiles in heavier
soils - Application of
Fe-Chelates is too costly
• plant high pH tolerant
varieties
 Symptoms
• Interveinal yellowing and chlorosis of
emerging leaf
• Whole leaves becomes chlorotic and then
very pale
• Entire plants becomes chlorotic and dies if
deficiency if is very severe
• Decreased dry matter production
• Soybean Plants in
Japan Showing
Light Yellow to
Yellow Color in
Young Leaves, a
Typical Symptom
of Iron Deficiency.
Leaves Become
Paler As Iron
Deficiency
Becomes More
Severe.
Light Yellow to Yellow Leaves, Typical of Iron Deficiency in Younger Leaves of Peanut
(Taiwan). Leaves with Deficiency Are Smaller and Thinner Than Normal Leaves. the
More Severe the Iron Deficiency, the Paler the Leaf
Ginger Plant in Taiwan Showing Typical Symptoms of Iron Deficiency in
the Young Leaves, Which Are Light Yellow to Pale Green in Color
Serious Iron Deficiency of Young Ginger Leaves, Which Are White
Iron deficiency on soybeans
• Iron deficiency of
soybean
associated with
high pH,
pothole soils of
north central
Iowa
 Iron Fertilizer
• Iron sulfate was often used for the treatment
of iron deficiency.
 Iron/Zinc deficiency/toxicity

Iron deficiency

Zinc and Iron deficiencies

Iron Toxicity
 Iron Toxicity
Fe+3 + H2PO4 + H2O -- 3Fe H2PO4(OH)2 + 2H+
Phosphorus
can react
strongly with
Fe and Al
components of
acid tropical
soils, thereby
becoming
unavailable for
plant uptake.
Older leaves in
P-deficient
plants are often
purple because
of the
accumulation
of
anthocyanins
(purple
pigments).
 Zinc Deficiency
Zinc deficiency in Philippines, China
and Japan

Zinc deficiency on cassava

Zinc Deficiency
• Zinc deficiency occurs
on the upper, new
leaves and can be
either interveinal
chlorosis or a band of
chlorotic tissue
between the leaf
edge and the midrib.
The symptoms begin
at the leaf base and
expand toward the
leaf tip.
Zinc Deficiencies
Symptom:
Yellow coloration in broad bands
• occurs in upper leaves
• occurs in leaf middle, may progressing
outward
Causes:
• under-application of Zn fertilizer needs
• soil has high pH (>7.5)
Remedies: (Corresponds to numbers
above)
• apply appropriate fertilizer Zn needs
as starter fertilizer (Zn-Chelates are
not recommended due to high cost)
• avoid planting in very high pH soils
GRAPE (Vitis vinifera L)

• Grape vines with zinc

deficiencies usually bear
bunches where grapes
of normal size are
mixed with smaller
grapes.
CITRUS
• Leaves of Citrus
showing zinc
deficiencies in
younger leaves.
Interveins are
yellowish in
color, although
the veins leaf
still keep their
green color.
Boron Deficiency/Toxicity on Corn
• Boron deficiency
on corn leaves.

• Boron toxicity on corn.

The difference between
adequate Boron and too
much is very small and
plants are very sensitive
to Boron.
Boron Deficiency on Alfalfa
• Boron deficiency on
alfalfa occurs on the
upper, new
leaves. From a distance
leaf hopper feeding
symptoms
look similar. It is
necessary to closely
examine the plants
to be sure what is causing
the symptom.
 Functions of molybdenum

• Assists on the formation on the plants.

• Helps starch, amino acids and vitamin
functions.
• Considered a catalyst that aids the conversion
of gaseous N to usable forms by nitrogen
fixing organisms.
• A constituent of the plant enzyme to convert
nitrate to ammonia.
• Molybdenum (Mo) - Older leaves show interveinal
chlorotic blotches, frequently streaked, and become
cupped and thickened. some central necrosis can
occur. Chlorosis continues upward to younger leaves
as deficiency progresses
• Molybdenum deficiency
• Leaflets somewhat chlorotic, strongly incurled and die back from tips.
Molybdenum Deficiency
• Molybdenum
deficiency looks
like a slight N
deficiency
because Mo is
involved in N
fixation.
Salinity and/or Alkalinity

Salinity or Alkalinity
Signs of soil salinity
Constituents of Seawater
Groundwater flow system in uplands terrain
Salinity Measurement
refractometer
Salinity occurs when salty groundwater is
close to or at the surface of the soil. When
the water table is within two meters of the
surface it is within the root zone of many
plants. Air pores in the soil act like a sponge
and the salty water is drawn up to the soil
surface. This is called capillary rise.
Damage to buildings, roads and plants is
usually a combination of salt and
waterlogging.
There are different causes of salinity:
1. dryland salinity;
2. irrigation salinity; and
3. urban salinity.

Salinity occurs:
a. because of capillary rise
b. when salty groundwater is close to the
surface
c. when buildings are damaged by
waterlogging
a.w/o salt b.w/ salt
Salt tolerant myoporum plants to be used on the
hobby farm
 Aluminum toxicity/Boron deficiency

Boron toxicity

Aluminum toxicity in
nutrient solution

Death of roots due to Boron

deficiency
PINEAPPLE. Note reduced growth, leaf tip dieback and leaf margins
bent upwards giving U-shaped cross section.
GRASS. Typical tip necrosis and leaf twisting in field crop
 WHEAT. Withering and twisting of tips of young leaves, which
otherwise remain green.WHEAT. Partially filled ears of copper
deficient wheat on right showing some melanism, from trial in France
GRASS. Typical tip necrosis and leaf twisting in field crop
TOMATO. Wilting and cupping of leaves due to reduced
lignification
OATS. Empty copper dificient panicles formed as result of pollen
sterility.
DOUGLAS FIR. Shoot deformation in copper deficient plant on left
which shows characteristic drooping shoots.
ORANGE. Shoot dieback and red gum formation on copper
deficient branch
ORANGE. Malformed, copper deficient fruit
 GROUNDNUTS. Fruit and peduncle formation
reducedby copper deficiency - largely as a result of
reduced flower formation .
 CARROTS. Copper deficient carrots on left showing poor root
formation. Rates of copper sulphate application:Treatment 2.11
kg/ha: Treatment 3.33 kg/ha: Treatment 4.100 kg/ha.
 Severe copper deficiency in trial in Brazil showing marked
reduction in growth and severe leaf chlorosis and necrosis in
untreated plot, compared with treated area in the
background.
Cu deficiency occurs on the following soils:

a. High organic matter status soils

(Histosols, humic volcanic ash soils)
Lateritic, highly weathered soils (Ultisols,
Oxisols)
.Soils derived from marine sediments
(limestone)
.Sandy textured soils/
Calcareous soils
HEATHER Pale leaves and restricted growth of
copper deficient plants on right.
Pale twisted leaves showing typical
withering and drying out from tips.
ORANGE. Shoot dieback and red gum formation on copper deficient
branch
MAIZE. Severely deficient maize showing chlorosis, distorted leaves
and the 'basket handle' symptom of inter-twined leaves.
SITKA SPRUCE. Drooping growth, most noticeablein terminal
shoot of copper deficient plant.
GROUNDNUTS
. Pinched
necrotic leaf tips
shown by the
small copper
deficient leaves.
SUNFLOWER. Reflexed petioles and reduced growth of
copper deficient plant on right.Acknowledgement:
Following are recommended for Cu deficiency:

• Soil management: Avoid overliming of acid soils

because it may reduce Cu uptake.
• The Crop management: Dip seedling roots in 1%
CuSO4 suspensions for 1 h before transplanting.
• Fertilizer management: On Cu-deficient soils, apply
CuO or CuSO4 (5-10 kg Cu ha-1at 5-year intervals)
for long-term maintenance of available soil Cu
(broadcast and incorporate in soil). Cupric sulfate
is hygroscopic, i.e., it cannot blend with
macronutrient fertilizers and may form insoluble
compounds if mixed with P fertilizers. Cu applied
to the soil has a high residual value.
 Cu deficiency can be treated by:
• Apply CuSO4 (5-10 kg Cu ha-1) for rapid treatment of Cu
deficiency (solid or liquid form). For soil application, fine
CuSO4 material is either broadcast (or banded) on the soil
or incorporated as a basal application.
• Foliar Cu can be applied during tillering to panicle
initiation growth stages, but may cause leaf burn in
growing tissues. Apply cupric sulfate solution or Cu
chelates as foliar spray only for emergency treatment of
Cu deficiency.
• Avoid applying excessive Cu because the range between
Cu deficiency and toxicity levels is narrow.
 • Copper should not be
Toxicity applied to soils without a
demonstrated need through
soil and plant analysis. Toxic
effects from over-application
can last many years.
Symptoms appear in young
tissue and include; dark green
leaves followed by induced Fe
chlorosis in which the leaves
may appear nearly white; thick,
short, or barbed-wire looking
roots which can be mistaken
for chemical damage;
depressed tillering.
• Leaves develop chlorotic streaks
on either side of the midrib
Symptoms
• Dark brown necrotic lesions on
leaf tips
• Leaves often bluish green and
chlorotic near the leaf tip
• New leaves do not unroll and the
distal parts of leaves maintain a
needlelike appearance, while the
proximal portion of the leaf
appears normal
• Reduced tillering
• Pollen viability is reduced under Cu
deficiency thus increasing spikelet
sterility
Magnesium Deficiency

• Magnesium
deficiency is
interveinal
chlorosis on
the lower,
older leaves.