≡× MENU

• Interior
• Windows
• Walls
• Projects
• Buildings

If there is a deficiency of this, the plant turns pale green. Diagnosis of nutritional deficiency in cultivated plants. Magnesium deficiency manifests itself

Nitrogen deficiency

Nitrogen- one of essential elements root nutrition. Nitrogen is a protein molecule that makes up protoplasm, which is responsible for plant respiration. Nitrogen is also responsible for green plants, being part of chlorophyll.

Nitrogen deficiency manifests itself:

• Paleness of old leaves, yellowing and loss of green mass.
• Young shoots become thinner and new shoots do not form.
• Roots do not develop.
• Fruit buds are not set.
• Low protein levels.
• Acidic soil exacerbates nitrogen starvation.

Phosphorus deficiency

Phosphorus is an element of the nucleus and plasma, a complex nucleoprotein. Participates in photosynthesis, regulates acid-base balance.

Phosphorus deficiency manifests itself:

• Blue-green marks on the foliage.
• Old leaves and stems turn purple.
• The tips of the leaves dry out and curl up.
• The color of the leaves can turn blue, red, purple (mostly inner part sheet).
• Deformation of seedlings, seeds, flowers.
• Poor seed germination.
• Phosphorus deficiency is aggravated by high pH - more than 7, or low pH - below 5.5.

Calcium deficiency

Calcium in the plant neutralizes excess organic acids. Calcium also antagonizes potassium. The correct ratio of calcium and potassium affects the most important life processes in the plant. Calcium deficiency during watering tap water happens rarely.

Calcium deficiency manifests itself:

• The leaves are withering.
• Shoots and foliage are colored brown, then die off.
• Excess calcium prevents magnesium and potassium from being absorbed.
• Leaves bend and roots shorten.
• Frequent fungal infections of the plant.

Magnesium deficiency

Magnesium is part of chlorophyll. With its help, a number of reactions occur in the formation of phosphate bonds and their transport.

Magnesium deficiency manifests itself:

• The edges of the leaves turn white and yellow.
• The tips of the leaves curl up.
• Leaf spotting.
• Death of the interveinal space (necrosis, skeletonization).

Iron deficiency

Playing important role in redox processes, participates in the formation of chlorophyll.

Iron deficiency manifests itself:

• Leaf chlorosis.
• The green mass becomes smaller.
• The level of sugars in the plant decreases.
• Too alkaline soil aggravates iron deficiency.

Sulfur deficiency

Sulfur helps enable photosynthesis. Participates in the process of oxygen absorption and CO2 release. If the root begins to rot, sulfur breaks down into components and hydrogen sulfide; its excess leads to rapid tissue disintegration.

Sulfur deficiency manifests itself:

• Slow plant growth.
• Light leaves, reddish tint.
• Low yield.

Copper deficiency:

• Curved leaves, chlorosis.
• Thinning leaves.
• Low protein levels.
• Reduced resistance to fungi.

Zinc deficiency:

• Chlorosis.
• Slow plant growth.
• Low levels of sugars and protein.

Boron deficiency in plants

• Low sugar content.
• Ovaries and flowers are not formed.
• Chlorosis, leaf death and deformation.

Manganese deficiency:

• Reduced content of vitamins.
• Low yields.
• Necrosis and chlorosis of leaves.

General information

External signs of a lack of certain nutrients in plants vary. Therefore, by external signs one can judge the lack of a particular nutrient and the need of plants for fertilizers. However, slower growth and changes in the appearance of plants are not always caused by a lack of nutrients. Similar changes are sometimes caused by unfavorable growth conditions (insufficient lighting, low temperature etc.). It is important to be able to distinguish these changes in plant appearance from changes caused by nutrient deficiencies.

The appearance of the plant is also influenced by excess amounts of certain elements, not needed by the plant or what he needs in small quantities. When they enter excessively into plants, growth slows down, tissues die, various external changes are observed, and sometimes the death of plants.

Symptoms of deficiency of different nutrients in the same plant usually do not appear simultaneously, which greatly simplifies the problem of diagnosis and subsequent improvement of plant nutrition. When there is a deficiency of several elements, the symptoms of deficiency of the element whose action is dominant are the first to appear and disappear as a result of the application of appropriate fertilizers; then symptoms of deficiency of another element appear, and so on.

Comparison of symptoms

A common symptom of a deficiency of any of the nutrients is stunted plant growth, although this symptom may be more pronounced in one case than in another. Below is a comparison of symptoms of mineral deficiency other than stunting.

Symptoms of plant mineral deficiency can be divided into two large groups:

I. The first group consists mainly of symptoms that appear on the old leaves of the plant. These include symptoms of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium deficiency. Obviously, if there is a shortage of these elements, they move in the plant from older parts to young growing parts, which do not develop signs of starvation.

II. The second group consists of symptoms that appear on growing points and young leaves. Symptoms of this group are characteristic of a lack of calcium, boron, sulfur, iron, copper and manganese. These elements do not appear to be able to move from one part of the plant to another. Consequently, if there is not a sufficient amount of the listed elements in the water and soil, then the young growing parts do not receive the necessary nutrition, as a result of which they get sick and die.

When starting to determine the cause of plant nutritional disorders, you should first of all pay attention to in which part of the plant anomalies appear, thus determining the group of symptoms. Symptoms of the first group, which are found mainly on old leaves, can be divided into two subgroups:

1) more or less general, affecting the entire leaf (lack of nitrogen and phosphorus);

2) or be only local in nature (lack of magnesium and potassium).

The second group of symptoms that appear on young leaves or growth points of the plant can be divided into three subgroups, which are characterized by:

1) the appearance of chlorosis, or loss of green color by young leaves without subsequent death of the apical bud, which indicates a lack of iron, sulfur or manganese;

2) death of the apical bud, accompanied by the loss of its green color by the leaves, which indicates a lack of calcium or boron;

3) constant wilting of the upper leaves, which indicates a lack of copper.

The following describes the symptoms that appear due to deficiency minerals, for each element separately.

Nitrogen (N)

Old leaves acquire a brownish-yellow hue and slowly die off, “dissolving” in the water. With a lack of nitrogen, lightening and yellowing of the color begins with the veins and the adjacent part of the leaf blade; parts of the leaf removed from the veins may still retain a light green color. As a rule, there are no green veins on a leaf that has turned yellow from a lack of nitrogen.

Phosphorus (P)

The color of older leaves becomes dark green. With a severe lack of phosphorus, brown or reddish-brown spots appear on the leaves, gradually turning into holes. Some plants shed their leaves.

Potassium (K)

There is yellowing, and subsequently browning and dying of the tips and edges of the leaves. Brown spotting develops especially closer to the edges. The edges of the leaves curl and wrinkles are observed. The veins appear to be embedded in the leaf tissue. Signs of deficiency in most plants appear first on the older lower leaves.

Signs of potassium deficiency

Signs of potassium deficiency

Signs of potassium deficiency

Calcium (Ca)

Signs of deficiency appear primarily on young leaves. The leaves are chlorotic, curved, their edges curl upward. The edges of the leaves are irregular in shape and may show brown scorching. Damage and death of the apical buds is observed.

Magnesium (Mg)

White or pale yellow spots appear between the veins. At the same time, large veins and adjacent areas of the leaf remain green. The leaf tips and edges curl, causing the leaves to become domed, the edges of the leaves to wrinkle and gradually die. Signs of deficiency appear and spread from the lower leaves to the upper ones.

Bor (B)

The sensitivity of plants to boron deficiency varies greatly. With a lack of boron, the growing points of plants turn black and die. Young leaves are small, pale, severely deformed.

Signs of boron deficiency

Copper (Cu)

Pale color and stunted growth of young leaves. Long-stemmed plants bush (grow lateral shoots).

Iron (Fe)

With a lack of iron, uniform chlorosis is observed between the leaf veins. The color of the upper leaves becomes pale green or yellow, white areas appear between the veins, and the entire leaf may subsequently turn white. Signs of iron deficiency appear primarily on young leaves.

Symptomsinsufficiency of mineral nutrition of plants can bedivided into two large groups:

I. The first group consists mainly of symptoms that appear on the old leaves of the plant. These include symptoms of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium deficiency. Obviously, if there is a shortage of these elements, they move in the plant from older parts to young growing parts, which do not develop signs of starvation.

II. The second group consists of symptoms that appear on growing points and young leaves. Symptoms of this group are characteristic of a lack of calcium, boron, sulfur, iron, copper and manganese. These elements do not appear to be able to move from one part of the plant to another. Consequently, if there is not a sufficient amount of the listed elements in the water and soil, then the young growing parts do not receive the necessary nutrition, as a result of which they get sick and die.
When starting to determine the cause of plant nutritional disorders, you should first of all pay attention to in which part of the plant anomalies appear, thus determining the group of symptoms. Symptoms of the first group, which are found mainly on old leaves, can be divided into two subgroups:

1) more or less general, affecting the entire leaf (lack of nitrogen and phosphorus);

2) or be only local in nature (lack of magnesium and potassium).

The second group of symptoms that appear on young leaves or growth points of the plant can be divided into three subgroups, which are characterized by:

1) the appearance of chlorosis, or loss of green color by young leaves without subsequent death of the apical bud, which indicates a lack of iron, sulfur or manganese;

2) death of the apical bud, accompanied by the loss of its green color by the leaves, which indicates a lack of calcium or boron;

3) constant wilting of the upper leaves, which indicates a lack of copper.
By appearance plants can be judged by a lack of nutrients.

Signs of nutrient deficiency in plants:

nitrogen– pale green coloring of the lower leaves, the leaves are small, the stem is thin, fragile, yellowing and blanching of the leaf begins with the veins and adjacent areas; there are no green veins on the leaf that has turned yellow from a lack of nitrogen; Acidic soils can increase nitrogen starvation.

dark green, bluish color of leaves, growth slows down, leaf dying increases, flowering and ripening are delayed, with severe starvation, brown or red-brown spots appear that turn into holes; most often found on the lungs acidic soils with low organic content.

potassium– yellowing, browning of the tips of the leaves, curling of the edges of the leaves towards the bottom, brown spotting develops, especially along the edge of the leaf, the veins seem immersed in the leaf tissue; signs of potassium starvation are clearly expressed on strongly acidic soils and with excessive application of calcium and magnesium.

magnesium– lightening of the leaves, spots of white, pale yellow appear between the veins, color change to yellow, red, purple, while the veins and adjacent parts remain green, the tip of the leaf and edges are bent, wrinkled, the leaf takes on a curved shape; clearly manifests itself on light acidic soils and with excessive application of potassium.

necrosis (death) of the edges of leaves, apical buds, roots, leaves are chlorotic, curved, their edges curl upward, leaves are irregular in shape, the edges may have brown scorch; deficiency is often caused by excess potassium supplementation.

uniform chlorosis between the veins, pale green, yellow color of the leaves without tissue death; most often occurs due to excessive liming of the soil.

death of apical buds, roots, leaves, falling of ovaries, young leaves are small, pale, severely deformed;
growth retardation, death of the shoot apex, awakening of lateral buds. The leaves are variegated, pale green with brown spots, limp and ugly.

chlorosis between the veins of the leaf - on the upper leaves, yellowish-green or yellowish spots appear between the veins. brown spots, the veins remain green, giving the leaf a variegated appearance. Subsequently, areas of chlorotic tissue die off, and spots appear various shapes and coloring. Signs of deficiency appear primarily on young leaves and primarily at the base of the leaves, rather than at the tips as with potassium deficiency.

sulfur- slower growth of stems in thickness, pale green leaves without tissue death. Signs of sulfur deficiency are similar to signs of nitrogen deficiency; they appear primarily on young plants.

small, wrinkled, narrow leaves, speckled due to interveinal chlorosis, thin, short shoots, characteristic “rosette”, branches with short internodes.

structural component of an enzyme (enzyme) that reduces nitrates to ammonia. Without this, protein synthesis is blocked and plant growth stops. Seeds may not form completely, and nitrogen deficiency can occur if plants do not have enough molybdenum. Molybdenum is the only trace element whose absorption increases with increasing pH.

Deficiency symptoms include pale green leaves that are curled or have folded edges. Due to the intensity of the interactions, toxic symptoms usually manifest as deficiencies of other nutrients (usually Cu).

If in the soil or in hydroponic solution If any element is missing, for example nitrogen, it is necessary to add not only nitrogen, but also phosphorus and potassium, but in smaller doses, since they enhance the effect of nitrogen.
Plants especially need nitrogen after heavy rainfall and cold weather.
Alternate mineral fertilizers with organic ones: mullein, bird droppings, fermented plant residues. Microfertilizers are usually used for root feeding in an amount of 3-5g. per bucket to increase plant resistance to adverse factors (for soil).
Foliar feeding is especially effective for supporting plants during the transition from cloudy to clear weather. This is an “ambulance” for plants.

But not only are they dangerous lack of microelements, but also their excess, so with an excess of nitrogen, the leaves become dark green, large and juicy, flowering (and ripening of fruits in lemon, orange, etc.) is delayed. In succulent plants (such as cacti, aloe, etc.), excess nitrogen causes thinning of the skin, which bursts, causing the plant to die or leaving ugly scars.
With an excess of phosphorus, which is quite rare, the absorption of iron and zinc in the plant is impaired - interveinal chlorosis appears on the leaves.
With an excess of potassium, a slowdown in growth can also be noted. At the same time, the leaves acquire a darker shade, and new leaves become smaller. Excess potassium leads to difficulty in the absorption of elements such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, boron, etc.
With an excess of sulfur, the leaves gradually turn yellow at the edges and shrink, turning inward. Then they turn brown and die. Sometimes the leaves take on a lilac-brown hue rather than yellow.
Excess calcium leads to impaired absorption of the same elements - nitrogen, potassium, as well as boron and iron. Which manifests itself as interveinal chlorosis of leaves and the appearance of light, shapeless spots of dying leaf tissue.

With an excess of magnesium, the roots of the plant begin to die, the plant stops absorbing calcium, and symptoms occur that are characteristic of a calcium deficiency.
Excess iron occurs quite rarely, and the growth of the root system and the entire plant stops. The leaves take on a darker shade. If, for some reason, the excess of iron turns out to be very strong, then the leaves begin to die and fall off without any visible changes. With an excess of iron, the absorption of phosphorus and manganese is difficult, so signs of a deficiency of these elements may also appear.
Excess boron begins with the old lower leaves. At the same time, small brown spots appear on the leaves, gradually increasing in size and leading to the death of leaf tissue.
An excess of manganese, in contrast to its deficiency, appears more often on acidic soils. As a result of an excess of manganese in plant cells, the chlorophyll content decreases, so the symptoms will be the same as with a lack of magnesium, i.e. Interveinal chlorosis begins, primarily from old leaves, and brown necrotic spots appear. The leaves wrinkle and fly off.
Excess copper is also extremely harmful to the plant. It manifests itself in the fact that the plant’s development is inhibited, brown spots appear on the leaves, and they die. The process begins with the lower, older leaves.
An excess of molybdenum leads to impaired absorption of copper, with corresponding signs of a deficiency of this element.
Signs of excess minerals are as follows:
— Drooping leaves;
— White crust on the soil surface and outer wall ceramic pot;
— Dry brown spots on the leaves, dry edges of the leaves;
— In summer, plant growth stops, and in winter you can see weak, elongated stems.

Similar symptoms of eating disorders
A lack of nitrogen at the initial stage, when the old lower leaves begin to turn yellow, looks very similar to the signs of a lack of light in the autumn-winter, which also manifests itself in the yellowing of the lower old leaves.
A lack of nitrogen in some plants leads to the formation of anthocyanin in the leaves, causing the leaves to turn reddish. When affected by some types of mites, redness of the leaves may also appear along with their deformation (twisting).
A lack of potassium, manifested in the wilting of the leaves, when they lighten and dry out at the edges, can be mistaken for a violation of watering and exposure to too dry air.
A lack of copper, manifested in the loss of turgor in plant tissues and curling of leaves, is quite similar to the fact that the plant was overdried, not watered enough, and possibly kept in a bright, hot place.

Article source: website Grow Plants Company— advanced technologies in crop production.

Potassium is extremely important for the healthy functioning of the human body. This chemical element participates in the metabolic process, normalizes blood pressure, regulates the balance of fluids in the body and much more. However, did you know that potassium is important in plant life, just as it is for humans? But a lack of potassium is truly destructive for plants. Now I'll tell you why.

• 1 Why plants need potassium like air
• 2 What are the causes of potassium deficiency in plants?
• 3 How to determine potassium deficiency in plants

Why do plants need potassium like air?

To dot the I's in this matter, let's turn to Wikipedia for clarification. In the article on potassium, everything is said quite clearly, I quote:

Potassium compounds are the most important biogenic element and therefore are used as fertilizers. Potassium is one of the three basic elements that are essential for plant growth along with

Plants need potassium like air.

nitrogen and phosphorus. Unlike nitrogen and phosphorus, potassium is the main cellular cation. When it is deficient in a plant, the structure of the membranes of chloroplasts, the cellular organelles in which photosynthesis takes place, is primarily disrupted. Outwardly, this manifests itself in the yellowing and subsequent death of leaves. When applying potassium fertilizers, plants increase their vegetative mass, yield and resistance to pests.

Thus, it turns out that potassium is vital for plants. If the plants in your area often turn yellow, it may be worth adding more potassium fertilizers to the soil or increasing fertilizing of the planted crops.

What are the causes of potassium deficiency in plants?

Potassium deficiency in plants can occur for several reasons. The main one is application in large quantities chemical fertilizers that contribute to the leaching of this element from the soil. The second important reason is the widespread use of soil consisting mainly of peat or sand when planting seedlings. In such soil, as is known, the potassium content is extremely low.

How to determine potassium deficiency in plants

Plants that lack potassium quickly sag and brown spots appear. Upon examination, you will notice that the leaves of a plant with a lack of potassium begin to darken and take on a green-blue tint due to an excess of chlorophyll and the accumulation of nitrogen. With an acute lack of potassium, the edges and tips of the leaves die, the stem and veins on the leaves become thinner, and the leaves themselves curl into a tube. The plant stops growing and eventually dries out.

determination of potassium deficiency in plants

Potassium is most important for young plants that are just beginning to grow. To saturate vegetation with potassium, it is recommended to use silty soils - they contain many useful enzymes for seedlings. Also, if you notice signs of potassium deficiency in your plants, try fertilizing with boron fertilizers - with their help, potassium from the soil is absorbed by the plant roots much more efficiently.

If there is not enough potassium indoor flowers, it is better to use ready-made complex fertilizers containing potassium fertilizers. If we are talking about planting in the country or personal plot, in addition to expensive fertilizers, ordinary stove ash will help you. It contains not only potassium, but also other useful elements.

Comparison of symptoms

A common symptom of a deficiency of any of the nutrients is stunted plant growth, although this symptom may be more pronounced in one case than in another. Below is a comparison of symptoms of mineral deficiency other than stunting.
Symptoms of plant mineral deficiency can be divided into two large groups:
I. First group consist mainly of symptoms that appear on the old leaves of the plant. These include symptoms of deficiency nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, zinc And magnesium. Obviously, if there is a lack of these elements in the soil, they move in the plant from older parts to young growing parts, which do not develop signs of starvation.
II. Second group constitute symptoms that appear on growing points and young leaves. Symptoms of this group are characteristic of a deficiency calcium, boron, sulfur, gland, copper And manganese. These elements do not appear to be able to move from one part of the plant to another. Consequently, if there is not a sufficient amount of the listed elements in the soil, then the young growing parts do not receive the necessary nutrition, as a result of which they get sick and die.
When starting to determine the cause of plant nutritional disorders, you should first of all pay attention to in which part of the plant anomalies appear, thus determining the group of symptoms. Symptoms first group, which are found mainly on older leaves, can be broken down into two subgroups:
1) more or less general (lack of nitrogen and phosphorus);
2) or be only local in nature (lack of magnesium, zinc and potassium).
Failure nitrogen And phosphorus(symptoms first subgroup) affects the condition of the plant as a whole or its older leaves. With a lack of these elements, a significant growth retardation is observed and the leaves tend to take an upright position on the stem, forming an acute angle with the latter. In case of shortage nitrogen the plant acquires an abnormally light green color and its lower leaves turn yellow to a greater or lesser extent. In case of shortage phosphorus the plant has an unusually dark green color, and the leaves either do not turn yellow at all or turn slightly yellow.
Symptoms of deficiency magnesium, zinc And potassium related to second subgroup of the first group, do not capture the entire leaf, but only individual sections of it, which is expressed in the loss of green color (chlorosis), and sometimes in the death (necrosis) of the tissues of individual sections of the leaf.
In case of shortage potassium chlorotic areas have a yellowish tint, which causes variegation. Chlorotic areas are located around small plots dead tissue on the tops, along the edges and between the veins of leaves. As the areas of dead and dried tissue increase, the plant takes on the appearance of being affected by rust. Other parts of the plant are distinguished by their bluish-green color. The earliest manifestation of potassium deficiency is expressed in downward curling of the tops and edges of the lower leaves; this symptom becomes more and more pronounced as the deficiency of the said element increases.
In case of shortage magnesium the green color of individual sections of the leaf disappears, becoming almost white. Leaf areas that have lost their green color are located mainly between the main veins, and not at the tops or along the edges of the leaves. There is little or no tissue death; curling of the tops and edges of the leaves is also not observed.
Flaw zinc causes the death of tissue areas on the entire surface of the leaf, and not just at the top and along its edges. Often the lateral and sometimes the main veins undergo this process. Areas with dead tissue disintegrate much faster than with a lack of potassium.
Second group symptoms that appear on young leaves or growing points of a plant can be divided into three subgroups, which are characterized by:
1) the appearance of chlorosis, or loss of green color by young leaves without subsequent death of the apical bud, which indicates a lack of iron, sulfur or manganese;
2) death of the apical bud, accompanied by the loss of green color by its leaves, which indicates a lack of calcium or boron;
3) constant wilting of the upper leaves, which indicates a lack of copper.
With chlorosis of young leaves without subsequent death of the apical bud (symptoms first subgroup) the veins retain their green color in case of deficiency gland . Usually only areas of the leaf between the main veins lose color. But in exceptional cases, the veins may also be affected, then the entire leaf becomes white or yellow. There are usually no spots of dead tissue.
If there is a shortage sulfur the veins of the leaf, like all other parts of the leaf, become light green; the veins may even appear lighter. The loss of green color does not occur to the same extent as in the case of deficiency gland And manganese, so that the leaves do not turn white or yellow. There are also no spots of dead tissue.
In case of shortage manganese the entire vascular system of the leaf, down to the smallest branches, retains its green color, creating a sharp contrast with the discolored tissue between the veins, which gives the leaf the appearance of a chessboard. Subsequently, gradually increasing spots of dead tissue appear on the leaves, which can cover the entire surface of the leaf.
Co. second subgroup include symptoms that are characterized by the death of the apical bud.
If the missing element is calcium , young apical leaves first lose their green color and curl downwards approximately 1/3 of their length. The tips and edges of the leaves then die and the tissues of the leaf blade are torn as a result of subsequent growth, giving the leaf a ragged appearance. The plant as a whole takes on a dark green color.
In case of shortage boron young apical leaves first lose their normal color at their curved base. The top may remain green for some time. Usually, the affected tissues quickly disintegrate, and if the growth of the leaf continues further until it completely dies, the leaf becomes twisted or twisted. Upper leaves They are distinguished by an unhealthy light green color and curl from the top to the base. The main veins of the affected leaves become brown or black in color and break easily when the leaf is bent.
For symptoms third subgroup The development of chlorosis and death of the apical bud are not typical. This subgroup includes almost exclusively symptoms of deficiency copper , manifested in the steady wilting of the upper leaves.
Below are described the symptoms that appear due to a lack of minerals, for each element separately.