Nitrogen (N)

Symptoms

• Deficiency symptoms are first seen in older and lower leaves.
• Yellowing of older leaves is observed while the veins remain green in color.
• Delayed flowering
• Delayed production of flowers resulting in fewer blooms
• Deficiency causes necrosis of leaves
• Under extreme deficiency, premature leaf drop occurs
• The Stunted appearance of the plant are observed

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

• Symptoms will be first noticed in older and lower leaves.
• Foliage becomes dark green colour
• Purple/reddish discoloration particularly on the undersides of leaves
• Insufficiency leads to distorted flowers, delayed flowering or failure to produce flowers
• Deficiency leads to weakened & undeveloped root systems which may affect the uptake of nutrients.
• Severe deficiency causes thinner stems.
• The petals, blooms, and overall plant development are all drastically reduced.

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 6.5-7.5, 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

• Potassium is a highly mobile element in plant.
• So the deficiency symptoms will be first noticed in older and lower leaves.
• Deficiency symptoms first appear as pale to lemon-yellow margins on older leaves.
• This is followed by browning and necrosis of leaf margins.
• The branching of plant is greatly affected.
• Low potassium level cause reduction of the length and weight of stems and roots.
• The number and size of flowers will be adversely affected.

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 is first seen in growing points, younger leaves and developing fruits.
• Affected leaves appear as curled, twisted or distorted in shape
• Leaf necrosis leading to brown/black spots on leaf edges/tips
• Deficiency weakens stem & stalks
• Insufficiency of calcium cause breakage or bending of flowers, and delay in the opening of flowers.
• Young leaves develop a yellow halo at the tips before turning black and spreading down the leaf blade.
• A weakened & under developed root system contributes poor nutrient uptake & absorption of water.
• Calcium deficient plant results in fewer blooms, shorter stems, and slower overall growth.
• New leaves and flowers continue growing, but they wither before opening.
• Leaf edges develop irregularities and frequently show signs of scorching
• The whole plant becomes stunted and then dies.

Management

• Analysis of soil.
• Check the pH of the soil. If the soil is extremely acidic (pH between 3.5 and 4.5), apply lime at the rate of 3.4 kg/cent in two split doses. And in areas of moderate acidity (pH between 5.5 and 6), apply lime at the rate of 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 are initially noticed on those leaves that are just beginning to attain their full size.
• Deficiency makes interveinal chlorosis in leaves as the veins remains green.
• Yellowing may lead to a whitish/bleached appearance on leaves
• Affected leaves may curl/distorted in appearance
• Leaf edges may appear wrinkled/serrated.
• Deficiency leads to slower growth & stunted plants.
• Slow emergence of new leaves.
• Severe deficiency causes leaf necrosis where Leaf tissue dies or brown/black.
• Affected leaves drop prematurely from plants.
• Lack of magnesium adversely affects floral production.

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

• Symptoms appear on newly emerged leaves & progress to older leaves
• Symptoms are noticed on young leaves with less green colour.
• Entire plant turns yellow in colour.
• Slow growth of new leaves & reduced leaf size is noticed
• Delayed flowering & reduced flower quality
• Deficiency leads to smaller flowers with less vibrant blooms
• Leaves may appear thinner & more rigid compared to normal leaves
• Plants exhibit stunted growth

Management

• Application of sulfur-containing fertilisers, such as Factamfos, Ammonium sulphate, Single superphosphate, etc., reduces the deficiency.
• In sulphur deficient soils , apply sulphur dust (10 kg 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

• Symptoms noticed on younger leaves with developing tips
• Development of distorted & thickened leaves
• Leaf tips may die back
• Leaves may appear puckered or wrinkled
• Production of fewer or smaller flowers and blooms having distorted shape
• Development of brown spots or necrotic areas on leaf margins or in between the veins of leaves.
• Reduced root growth leads to stunted growth and reduced branching.

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

• Affected leaves exhibit mottled or chlorotic patterns of discoloration with yellowing or pale green colour
• Leaf malformation & curling with irregular edges
• Plants appear smaller in leaves with slow growth of newer leaves.
• Flowers are small, deformed & fail to develop
• Plants expressed delayed flowering

Management

• Apply copper sulphate (800 gram/acre) in the soil

Iron (Fe)

Symptoms

• Chlorosis of new leaves
• Symptoms started from new growth & progress to older leaves
• Younger leaves remain green in colour
• Interveinal chlorosis in the young leaves is noticed
• Mottled or striped appearances are seen on leaves
• Necrosis usually starts from the margin edges of leaves & progresses inwards
• In severe deficiency, plants exhibit stunting growth

Management

• Iron content in Kerala soils is often high. So, get a soil test to determine the reason for the deficiency
• Low potassium levels lead to iron deficiency
• Addition of Ferrous Sulphate (6 kg/ acre) into the deficient soils.

Manganese (Mn)

Symptoms

• Plant exhibits Interveinal chlorosis with the veins themselves remaining green
• Similar to iron deficiency, but chlorosis is more prominent in veins
• Reduced leaf size
• Leaves are distorted & deformed in irregular shape
• Necrotic spots turning brown or black in colour
• Usually leaf margins progress inwards
• Delayed flowering
• Deficiency is generally noticed in black soils and poorly drained soils

Management

• Soil Analysis
• Application of Manganese Sulphate (5 gram per litre of water) as foliar spray

Zinc (Zn)

Symptoms