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Recognizing Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms

Recognizing nutrient deficiency symptoms in plants is not a simple task. Factors of poor soil
drainage, excess fertilizers, cold soils, disease infestation, and insect damage to roots may
individually or collectively induce symptoms in plant growth. They may appear as simple
nutritional imbalances or deficiencies. Keep this fact in mind when you use the following as
guidelines for diagnosing your plants' ills. The brief descriptions that follow are typical of the
classical symptoms associated with a deficiency of the particular nutrient element.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is the nutrient element probably needed in the greatest amounts after carbon, hydrogen
and oxygen. A deficiency of nitrogen usually affects the entire plant. Plants are spindling in
growth with reduced leaf and stem size and restricted shoot development. Because nitrogen is
mobile within the plant, the lower leaves are usually first to show the symptom. The leaves turn
pale, yellowish-green in color. If the deficiency is not corrected through the application of
nitrogen carrying fertilizer, the entire plant will become light green in color and eventual1y die.
Flowers from nitrogen-deficient plants have a short shelf life. Plants deficient in nitrogen are
more susceptible to certain diseases. A deficiency of nitrogen may be expected to occur in plants
grown on sandy soils under high rainfall or watering conditions; in new, heavy, clayey soils; and
in soils where large amounts of under-composed organic matter, such as straw, grass clippings,
wood chips, sawdust or farmyard manures are used. Even though all other elements may be
supplied in adequate amounts, if nitrogen is deficient the plant will not grow satisfactorily.
Phosphorus
The lack of phosphorus results in a severe restriction of growth; plants sometimes take on a dull,
dark-green appearance which is the result of nitrate accumulation in the tissues. With marigolds
and tomatoes, a lack of phosphorus causes a definite purpling of the under sides of the leaves. A
deficiency of phosphorus retards root growth and delays maturity of the plants. Poor flowering
of annuals may be due to low phosphorus. Phosphorus is best applied as superphosphate and
worked into the soil before planting. Phosphorus is readily fixed by the soil in forms unavailable
for plant growth. Soils high in iron are notable for their phosphorus fixation capacity. A soil test
is the best method of determining whether phosphorus is present in a soil. As with nitrogen, if
all other elements are available and only phosphorus is lacking, then plant growth will be
severely restricted.
Potassium
Potassium is generally second to nitrogen in the quantity contained within plant tissue. In some
instances, potassium content will frequently be higher than nitrogen. A deficiency of potassium
invariably shows up on the lower leaves first. Potassium is highly mobile within the plant and is
readily translocated from older tissue to newly developing tissue.

The deficiency generally shows as a marginal scorch on the lower leaves. This may be only a
narrow band at first, but unless corrected the entire leaf is soon affected. With some plants the
symptoms first show as small spots on the leaf margin. These soon enlarge, join together and
become entire on the leaf margin. On azaleas the older leaves will frequently turn red before the
scorch develops. Potassium is antagonistically affected by other ions. High calcium levels may
induce potassium deficiency. Likewise high potassium may cause calcium to be deficient. A
high potassium content may induce a magnesium deficiency. In chrysanthemums, control of this
problem is obtained by reducing the amount of potassium applied to the plants. Simply adding
magnesium will not correct the situation. An imbalance of N-P-K may also induce potassium
deficiency symptoms.
Magnesium:
This particular element is needed in large amounts by plants. Problems of magnesium deficiency
are not frequently seen when plants are grown in soil mixtures. The deficiency could become
severe on plants grown in soil-less mixtures unless magnesium is added. Dolomitic limestone is
a good source of magnesium. It should be added to the growing medium at the time it is
prepared. A deficiency of magnesium shows as an interveinal chlorosis of the leaves starting at
the base of the plant and working upward. As mentioned earlier, high potassium levels may
cause magnesium deficiency in some plants.
Calcium:
Calcium deficiency is rarely seen in soil grown plants. Where soil-less mixes are used, a calcium
deficiency might occur if the element is not supplied. Limestone is the principal material used to
supply calcium. Gypsum, calcium sulphate, has also been used where the grower does not wish
to change the soil pH. Of course single superphosphate also contains calcium. Calcium is
important in the division and development of cells. A deficiency shows as a death of the
meristematic regions of the plant; shoot and root tips die first. If the deficiency is not corrected
the necrosis will continue to develop down the stem, subsequently killing the entire plant.
Calcium deficiency on carnations causes the leaf tip to die and turn up at a 90 degree angle.
Trace Elements:
Trace elements are needed by plants in very small amounts. Where nitrogen and potassium
levels may be 4 to 5 % or 40,000 to 50,000 ppm, the boron content of a plant may be only 30
ppm. Although only needed in small quantities, a lack of the element can seriously retard
growth.
Iron:
Iron deficiency symptoms, manifested as a chlorosis of the new leaves, have probably been seen
by more plant growers than any other trace element deficiency. Unlike nitrogen and potassium,
iron is immobile within the plant. Thus the deficiency shows up in the newest growing areas of
the plant, the developing leaves. At first the veins remain green with the interveinal areas
becoming light green and then greenish-yellow in color. As the deficiency continues
uncorrected, even the veins lose their green color as the leaf may turn yellow and almost white.
In very severe cases the leaves will develop a necrosis 4 (death) and turn brown. Iron deficiency
symptoms may be caused by several factors. Even though iron may be available in the soil it is
not taken up by the roots. This often happens during spring when we have cold, wet soil

conditions. Too high a soil pH may result in lack of iron availability in the soil. A high
manganese content is antagonistic to iron uptake. Where high levels of manganese occur, there
may be iron deficiency and vice versa. Sometimes weed killers may produce symptoms that
look like iron deficiency.
Boron:
Not seen too often by non-commercial plant producers, a lack of boron is a problem in
commercial greenhouse production of several crops. Boron is not easily translocated so the
deficiency usually always affects the terminal growing parts of the plants, the shoot and root tips.
Boron deficiency may at first be confused with a calcium deficiency. However, boron deficient
plants will often tiller, or send out new shoots. This condition is sometimes referred to as
witches broom. Calcium deficient plants will not produce this type growth. In some cases the
deficiency may cause problems that are unlike the typical deficiency symptoms described.
Indianapolis White Chrysanthemums will develop a halo of brown petals just at the time they are
ready for harvest. No other variety of chrysanthemum is known to react this way.
Correcting boron deficiency can be easily mishandled. The commercial recommendation is to
supply one ounce of borax per 100 square feet per year. Over-application can cause severe plant
damage as manifested by a marginal scorch of the leaves. On chrysanthemums this scorch
begins with the basal leaves first. Roses show a marginal leaf necrosis and interveinal leaf
spotting.
Manganese:
Manganese deficiency is often confused with a lack of iron. With manganese deficiency, even
the finest veins in the leaf retain their green color thus causing the leaf to have a lace-like
appearance. Manganese deficiency is seldom seen by the average grower. Cold, wet soil
conditions may cause a temporary deficiency to develop. As soon as the causal condition is
corrected, the plants develop normally.
Zinc, molybdenum and copper are among the trace element group. Deficiencies of these are
rarely seen by the average plant grower.

Prepared by: James W. Boodley, Professor of Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture, Cornell
University Ithaca, New York, April 10, 1975.
Slightly revised: 6/03.