Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY GUIDE
NUTRIENT
SYMPTOMS
CAUSES
SOLUTIONS
NITROGEN
Plant leaves are
light green or
yellowish in color.
Easily leaches from the
soil.
Mulch or plant a
cover crop.
PHOSPHORUS Plants are
stunted and have
a purplish color.
Wet, cold soil; low pH
(acidic soil).
Plan to lime next
spring.
POTASSIUM
Leaves are brown
and curling.
Excessive leaching.
Mulch or plant a
green manure.
CALCIUM
Stunted plants,
stubby roots, and
blossom-end rot
on tomatoes.
Very acidic soil,
excessive dry or wet
soil, too-high potassium
levels.
Add lime, check for
drainage problems,
and fertilize
carefully.
MAGNESIUM Yellowish color on
older leaves.
Very acidic soil,
potassium levels too
high.
Add lime and
fertilize carefully.
SULFUR
Yellowish color in
young leaves and
stunted growth.
Low organic matter
often found in sandy
soil.
Add in compost
and aged animal
manures in the fall
and spring.
BORON
Leaves are
distorted, crown
of the plant dies.
Soil pH above 6.8 or
below 5.5, low organic
matter, sandy soil.
Do a soil pH test to
see if you need to
add in lime or
sulfur.
COPPER
Yellowish leaves
that become thin
and elongated.
High pH (too alkaline). Add sulfur to the
soil in the spring to
lower the pH.
IRON
Youngest leaves
are light green-
or yellow-colored.
High pH (too alkaline),
low organic matter, and
excessive phosphorus in
the soil.
Add sulfur,
compost, and aged
animal manures in
the spring and fall.
ZINC
Yellow beet
leaves, rust spots
on beans.
High pH (too alkaline),
cool wet soil in the
spring, and excessive
phosphorus in the soil.
Add sulfur and
fertilize carefully.
MANGANESE Mottled yellowish
areas on younger
leaves.
High pH (too alkaline). Add sulfur in the
spring.
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