Deficiency symptoms will be first noticed in older leaves.
Pale green to light green colour change on leaves.
Death or dropping of the older leaves
Plants are stunted
Leaves are smaller than normal
Shoots and Pods are thin
Stunted growth of plant
Fruit production is severely affected
Pale, small and thick fruits
Malformed fruits and reduced yield
Management
For determining the severity of the deficiency, soil analysis has to be done
Application of quick releasing nitrogen fertilizer like urea, according to the results of the soil test.
Apply urea as a foliar spray (10 gram per litre of water) once every 15 days
Frequent application of organic growth boosters is also beneficial
Phosphorus (P)
Symptoms
Deficiency symptoms will be first noticed in older leaves
Leaves become greener than normal ones and later turns to purple discolouration
Reduced number of leaves
Short and thin shoots
Poor root and pod development
Stunted growth
Management
Ensure that recommended amount of fertilizer is applied on regular time.
For determining the severity of the deficiency, soil analysis is to be done
Use fertilizers such as single superphosphate for quick correction or bone meal or rock phosphate for long-term correction.
In the pH range of 6.2-7.0, phosphorus is readily absorbed by the roots.
Addition of biofertilizers including phosphorus solubilizing bacteria along with organic manure helps to increase the availability of phosphorus
Potassium (K)
Symptoms
Deficiency symptoms will be first noticed in older leaves
Yellowing and scorching of older leaves
Reduced number of leaves
Base of leaves remain dark green
Abscission of scorched leaves
Marginal chlorosis
Management
In the pH range of above 6, potassium is readily available.
Maintain pH by addition of lime/dolomite
Improve the soil fertility by adding organic matter and wood ash.
For determining the severity of the deficiency, soil analysis is to be done
Use Muriate of Potash (MOP) according to the results of the soil test. Split application is preferable.
Apply foliar sprays of Sulphate of Potash (SOP) (10 g/litre of water) and wetting agents in the morning as an immediate remedy
Calcium (Ca)
Symptoms
Deficiency symptoms will be first noticed in younger leaves
Browning and necrosis of the growing tips of roots and leaves
Reduced internodal length
Rosetting of leaves
Ragged and often brittled leaf edges
Stunted growth of plants
Upward curling of leaves
Leathery and brittle leaves
Reduced fruit quality
Management
Do the soil analysis
Check the pH of the soil. If the soil is extremely acidic (pH between 3.5 and 4.5), apply lime (3.4 kg/cent in two split doses). And in areas of moderate acidity (pH between 5.5 and 6), apply lime 1 kg/cent.
High phosphorus levels lead to calcium deficiency.
In alkaline soil application of Gypsum is preferable
Boron is needed for calcium utilization.
So, a boron deficiency can also lead to calcium deficiency.
Magnesium (Mg)
Symptoms
Symptoms first appear on those leaves just reaching their full size
Yellowing in the middle of the leaf blade with green margins
Interveinal chlorosis
Premature leaf abscission
Spotted necrosis of leaves
Reduced fruit yield
Management
Do the soil analysis and confirm the deficiency.
Addition of Magnesium sulphate (32 kg/ acre) in bands near plants.
Long-term usage of dolomite will reduce magnesium deficiency
Magnesium and potassium fertilizers should not be applied together
Sulphur(S)
Symptoms
Deficiency symptoms first appear in younger leaves.
Chlorosis followed by general yellowing
Plant growth is restricted
Leaves remain small, particularly the younger ones
Downward curling of leaves
Management
Application of sulphur-containing fertilisers, such as Factamfos, Ammonium sulphate, Single superphosphate, etc., reduces the deficiency.
In sulphur deficient soils, apply sulphur dust (10 kg/acre).
Deficiency in alkaline soil can be reduced by application of gypsum
Addition of organic material improves sulphur availability in the soil
Burning of organic waste leads to sulphur deficiency
Boron (B)
Symptoms
Deficiency is seen mainly in younger leaves
Malformed newly emerging leaves
Stunted growth.
Young leaves become smaller in size
Malformed and small fruits
Low seed sett
Leaves become distorted and brittle
The pods remain as short stumps
Management
Analysis of soil to confirm the deficiency.
Application of borax (4 kg/ acre) into the soil
Addition of borax (1 gram / litre of water) as foliar spray
Avoid the combined application of Boron and calcium.
Application of borax with ammonium fertilizers should be avoided.
Iron (Fe)
Symptoms
Deficiency symptoms first appear on young leaves
Interveinal chlorosis with eventual bleaching of the new growth
Yellow leaves with dark green veins
Entire plant become light green in colour
Stunted growth
Veins remain green, which gives a net-like pattern
Management
Iron content in Kerala soils is often high. So, get a soil test to determine the reason for the problem
Low potassium levels lead to iron deficiency
Addition of Ferrous Sulphate (6 kg/ acre) into the deficient soils.
Manganese (Mn)
Symptoms
Deficiency symptoms first appear on those leaves just reaching their full size
Interveinal mottled chlorosis
development of small necrotic lesions in chlorotic areas
Fine network of green veins in a light green background on leaves
Reduced leave size
Reduction in internode length
Management
Soil Analysis
Application of Manganese Sulphate (2 gram per litre of water) as foliar spray
Zinc (Zn)
Symptoms
Deficiency symptoms first appear on young leaves
Interveinal chlorosis with an eventual whiting
Reduced leaf area
Small and reduced number and leaves
Mottling of leaves
Stem are thin
Management
The optimal pH range for zinc availability is 5 to 7.5.
Confirm deficiencies by doing soil testing.
Apply zinc sulphate to deficient soils (8 kg/ acre)
Avoid the application of zinc and phosphate fertilizers at the same time
In severe cases, foliar spraying of zinc sulphate (2 gram/litre of water) with Calcium carbonate (2.5 gram/litre of water) can be advocated in morning hours.
