Nutrient Deficiency
Thursday, 08 December 2011 13:19
Below is a "Nutrient Deficiency Key" that was presented at the program "Plant Nutrition for Greenhouse Crops", Nov. 29, 2011. Brian's powerpoint presentation with photos that compliment the key are available on the UNH Greenhouse and Floriculture website under "what's new". Note that the information will be available on the website for a limited time only.
Nutrient Deficiency Key
by Dr. Brian A. Krug, University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension
•Symptoms at the base of the plant (Mobile elements – N, P, K, Mg
-Chlorosis (N, P, or Mg)
•Uniform (N or P)
-Early flowering and /or leaf abscission (N)
-Deeper green foliage and /or fewer longer roots (P)
•Interveinal (Mg)
-Necrosis (K)
•Symptoms across the whole (mid) plant (Partially mobile elements – S or Mo)
-Uniform chlorosis /faded flowers (S)
-Chlorotic around leaf margin followed by rapid necrosis (Mo)
•Symptoms at the top of the plant (Immobile elements – Ca, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B)
-Chlorosis (Mn, Fe)
•Interveinal chlorosis with tan flecks (Mn)
•Interveinal chlorosis turning to yellow (Fe)
-Youngest leaves affected with necrosis and distortion (Ca or B)
•Abortion of growing tip, short internodes, thick leaves (B)
•Distortion turning necrotic (Ca)
-Youngest and mature leaves affected by leaf curling and necrosis
•Smaller lighter flowers (Cu)
•Smaller leaves and short internodes (Zn)
Also check out our photo gallery for photos on nutrient disorders!
Tina
