plant nutrient imbalance symptoms
TRANSCRIPT
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
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
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 .
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
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)
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
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.
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
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)
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
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).
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
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
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
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
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
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).
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
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)
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
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
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
Manganese Toxicity
Deficiency
Apple
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants
APS Digital Image Collections: Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Plants