Ohio'sBest

This is a general chart....................




Plant Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms
Macronutrients

Calcium (Ca)
o Symptoms: New leaves are distorted or hook shaped. The growing tip may die. Contributes to blossom end rot in tomatoes, tip burn of cabbage and brown/black heart of escarole & celery.
o Sources: Any compound containing the word 'calcium'. Also gypsum.
o Notes: Not often a deficiency problem and too much will inhibit other nutrients.

Nitrogen (N)
o Symptoms: Older leaves, generally at the bottom of the plant, will yellow. Remaining foliage is often light green. Stems may also yellow and may become spindly. Growth slows.
o Sources: Any compound containing the words: 'nitrate', 'ammonium' or 'urea'. Also manure.
o Notes: Many forms of nitrogen are water soluble and wash away.

Magnesium (Mg)
o Symptoms: Slow growth and leaves turn pale yellow, sometimes just on the outer edges. New growth may be yellow with dark spots.
o Sources: Compounds containing the word 'magnesium', such as Epson Salts.

Phosphorus (P)
o Symptoms: Small leaves that may take on a reddish-purple tint. Leaf tips can look burnt and older leaves become almost black. Reduced fruit or seed production.
o Sources: Compounds containing the words 'phosphate' or 'bone'. Also greensand.
o Notes: Very dependent on pH range.

Potassium (K)
o Symptoms: Older leaves may look scorched around the edges and/or wilted. Interveinal chlorosis (yellowing between the leaf veins) develops.
o Sources: Compounds containing the words 'potassium' or 'potash'.

Sulfur (S)
o Symptoms: New growth turns pale yellow, older growth stays green. Stunts growth.
o Sources: Compounds containing the word 'sulfate'.
o Notes: More prevalent in dry weather.


Micronutrients

Boron (B)
o Symptoms: Poor stem and root growth. Terminal (end) buds may die. Witches brooms sometimes form.
o Sources: Compounds containing the words 'borax' or 'borate'.

Copper (Cu)
o Symptoms: Stunted growth. Leaves can become limp, curl, or drop. Seed stalks also become limp and bend over.
o Sources: Compounds containing the words 'copper', 'cupric' or 'cuprous'.

Manganese (Mn)
o Symptoms: Growth slows. Younger leaves turn pale yellow, often starting between veins. May develop dark or dead spots. Leaves, shoots and fruit diminished in size. Failure to bloom.
o Sources: Compounds containing the words 'manganese' or 'manganous'

Molybdenum (Mo)
o Symptoms: Older leaves yellow, remaining foliage turns light green. Leaves can become narrow and distorted.
o Sources: Compounds containing the words 'molybdate' or 'molybdic'.
o Notes: Sometimes confused with nitrogen deficiency.

Zinc (Zn)
o Symptoms: Yellowing between veins of new growth. Terminal (end) leaves may form a rosette.
o Sources: Compounds containing the word 'zinc'.
o Notes: Can become limited in higher pH.

Iron. These iron-deficient leaves (see Figure 12) show strong chlorosis at the base of the leaves with some green netting. The most common symptom for iron deficiency starts out as an interveinal chlorosis of the youngest leaves, evolves into an overall chlorosis, and ends as a totally bleached leaf. The bleached areas often develop necrotic spots. Up until the time the leaves become almost completely white they will recover upon application of iron. In the recovery phase the veins are the first to recover as indicated by their bright green color. This distinct venial re-greening observed during iron recovery is probably the most recognizable symptom in all of classical plant nutrition. Because iron has a low mobility, iron deficiency symptoms appear first on the youngest leaves. Iron deficiency is strongly associated with calcareous soils and anaerobic conditions, and it is often induced by an excess of heavy metals.

Kind of a rule of thumb

OLD Leaves...................Macronutes

NEW Leaves...................Micronutes