Symptoms in Plants Due to Nutrient Imbalance

Symptoms in Plants Due to Nutrient Imbalance

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Symptoms of Nutrient Deficiency

Whether a nutrient is required in large or small amounts, a deficiency or excess of essential elements can negatively affect the condition of crops. Since the soil's condition cannot be judged by mere observation, it is important to closely monitor plants to determine what the soil might be lacking. Below are the main symptoms that occur when specific nutrients are deficient.

1) Nitrogen DeficiencyOverall poor growth. The entire leaf becomes yellowish, and older leaves fall off.

2) Phosphorus DeficiencyLeaves turn dark green, and the leaf stalks may become reddish or purplish. The overall appearance becomes dull, and the lower leaves turn reddish, wither, and eventually fall off.

3) Potassium DeficiencyIn the late growth stage, the edges or tips of the lower leaves turn yellow or brown, wither, and fall off.

4) Calcium DeficiencyThe growth of the leaf or root tips stops, and the edges of the leaves wither. Calcium deficiency is the cause of blossom-end rot in tomatoes, tip burn in cabbage, Chinese cabbage, onions, and tip dieback in cucumbers and melons.

5) Magnesium DeficiencyAs growth progresses, the area between the leaf veins of lower leaves turns yellow like beads, and in severe cases, the leaves fall off. This is commonly seen in radishes, tomatoes, eggplants, and beans.

6) Manganese DeficiencyThe area between the veins of newly formed leaves turns yellow, with the veins remaining green. This symptom does not appear in older leaves.

7) Iron DeficiencyThe area between the veins of newly formed leaves turns yellow, and this gradually spreads to the entire leaf. This symptom does not appear in older leaves.

Boron Deficiency

The growth of the stem tips stops, the center becomes blackened, and the leaves and leaf stalks become weak. The center of radishes and turnips turns black and rots. Boron deficiency is also the cause of heart rot in Chinese cabbage and celery.Micronutrient deficiencies can also occur due to changes in soil pH. For example, boron dissolves easily in acidic soil but not in alkaline soil. In acidic conditions, it may be washed away by rain, and in alkaline conditions, it may not dissolve sufficiently, making deficiency likely in both cases.

The Importance of Nutrient Balance

When gardening at home, it is easy to over-apply fertilizer without considering costs. Just as it is healthy to fill only 80% of your stomach when eating, it is better to apply fertilizers sparingly and evenly.It is said that in a typical vegetable garden, a ratio of 9.8:2.7:1.0 for calcium, magnesium, and potassium, respectively, helps maintain a good balance of nutrient absorption. In other words, an excess of one nutrient can hinder the absorption of others, so it is important to not only consider the quantity but also the balance of nutrients when applying fertilizers.