Soil and Plant Nutrition

2.4. Deficiency Symptoms of Nutrients in Plants

Nitrogen (N) – deficiency symptoms

1. Stunted growth.
2. Appearance of light green to pale-yellow col-
our on the older leaves, starting from the tips.
This is followed by death and/or dropping of
the older leaves depending upon the degree
of deficiency.
3. In acute deficiency, flowering is greatly re-
duced.
4. Lower protein content.
Nitrogen (N) – deficiency symptoms

Phosphorous (P) – deficiency

symptoms
1. Overall stunted appearance, the mature
leaves have characteristic dark to blue-green
colouration, restricted root development.
2. In acute deficiency, occasional purpling of
leaves and stems; spindly growth.
3. Delayed maturity and poor seed and fruit de-
velopment.

Phosphorous (P) – deficiency symptoms

Potassium (K) – deficiency

symptoms

1. Chlorosis along the leaf margins followed

by scorching and browning of tips of older
leaves. These symptoms then gradually
progress inwards.
2. Slow and stunted growth of plants.
3. Stalks weaken and plant lodge easily.
4. Shrivelled seeds of fruits.

Potassium (K) – deficiency symptoms

Farmer’s Handbook on Basic Agriculture 37