Mango (Mangifera indica)
Nitrogen (N) Symptoms
Develpoment of reddish colour on undersurface of leaf – initial symptom
Deficiency symptoms will be first noticed in older leaves.
Necrosis of leaf tips are noticed
Deficiency causes premature defoliation followed by die back symptoms
Stunted growth of plants
Newly developed younger leaves become smaller in size:exhibit dark green colour
Delayed fruit maturity, quality, ripening.
Root growth is affected & leaf growth is too affected
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.
Frequent application of organic growth boosters is also beneficial
Apply urea as a foliar spray (10 gram per litre of water) once every 15 days.
Phosphorus (P) Symptoms
Develpoment of reddish colour on undersurface of leaf – initial symptom
Deficiency symptoms will be first noticed in older leaves.
Necrosis of leaf tips are noticed
Deficiency causes premature defoliation followed by die back symptoms
Stunted growth of plants
Newly developed younger leaves become smaller in size:exhibit dark green colour
Delayed fruit maturity, quality, ripening.
Root growth is affected & leaf growth is too affected
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
Charcteristic type of chlorotic foliage is typical symptom.
Yellowing of leaves start from Margins and progressing inwards.
Scorching usually seen along leaf margins.
Whitish yellow or orange stried can be seen on older leaves starting from the leaf tips and margins & curl upward.
Leaf margins may become necrotic.
Reduced leaf size & poor root development.
Stunted growth & overall decline in tree vigour
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 gm/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
Leaves may become yellowing,wilting,necrosis
In severe cases leaves may drop
Decreased internodal length results in rosetting appearnce of leaves
Symptoms noticed in growing points, younger leaves and developing fruits. & bud.
Rough & fragile apperance on leaf edges & sometimes leaf curl downwards near terminal bud region.
Stunted growth & reduced vigour
Deficient plants increased suscpetiblity of pest & diseases
No definite leaf pattern noticed on leaves but colour of leave is slight lighter green.
Browning and necrosis of the growing tips of roots and leaves
Ragged and brittled leaves are noticed
Stunted growth of plants
Management
Analysis of pH in the soil
If the soil is acidic apply lime 1kg/plant/year (4 split doses 250 gram each)
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
Deficiency symptoms first appear on bottom leaves
Interveinal chlorosis on leaves which appears as yelowing between the veins of mature leaves
Veins remains green over the green leaves may turn brown & necrotic.
In severe cases,affected leaves may show curling & cupping
Reduced growth & over all stunting of mango tree which become smaller in height & breadth.
Bronzing starting from the edge of the leaf rounded margin between each pair of lateral veins.
Reduction in growth
Premature defoliation
Yellowish brown chlorosis
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 the upper & younger leaves
In severe conditions, whole leaves turn yellow and leaf tips remain green
In deficient plants growth is retarded.
leaves with fading of green colour
Necrotic spots on 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 kilogrammes per 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
Since boron is immobile in plants deficiency symptoms are seen mainly in growing points, younger leaves and developing fruits
Reduction in leaf growth
Leaves become thickened ,leathery & uneven shaped
Fruit cracking & dropping of flowers are other symptoms
Brown areas in yellowish fruit pulp are noticed.
Development of soft & watery tissue on fruits which cracks down to the centre
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.
Copper (Cu) Symptoms
Defoliation and die back of branches
Due to heavy nitrogenous fertilization symptoms on trees which have high nitrogen application.
Gummosis on stem
Downward curling of leaves
Long droopy ‘S’ shaped branches are noticed on affected shoots.
Weak terminal shoots
Management
Soil testing and analysis
Addition of organic matter
Apply copper 250 gram for 10 year old tree
Iron (Fe) Symptoms
Symptoms are first expressed in younger leaves
Bleaching of leaves where green loses green color and become white.
Reduced leaf size is noticed.
At extreme deficient conditions leaves may start drying from tip downwards. This effect is known as calcium induced iron chlorosis.
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
Symptoms are first seen in leaves just reaching their full size
Yellowish Interveinal chlorosis of younger leaves and veins remain green in color
In extreme deficiency leaves turn to brown color.
Deficiency leads to reduced growth of leaves
Leaf symptoms appears very late
Leaves become thicker
Necrosis of the leaf blade.
Leaves have blotches of light grey to greyish brown colour
Management
Soil Analysis
Application of Manganese Sulphate ( 5 gram per litre of water) as foliar spray
Zinc (Zn) Symptoms
Small irregular drooping spots on leaves under deficient younger plants may die
Leaf margins bend upward & downward.
Leaf shape & margins become distorted.
Shorter Leaf blade & twig with crowded leaves shows rosette appearance.
Inter-veinal chlorosis
Pale green or yellow colour on leaves; midrib of leaves remain green
Stunted growth of plants
Narrowing of leaves
Pale inferential areas and green veins are typical of zinc deficient leaves.
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.
