Addition of Magnesium sulphate (32 gram /plant or 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
Yellowing of younger leaves.
Entire leaf blade become pale yellow
Delays maturity of coffee. plants
Reduced fruits set
Plants exhibits shorter internodes resulting in stunted growth.
Intensity & complexity of aroma leads to reduced quality
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 gram per plant or 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
Yellowing noticed on leaf margins & progress towards leaf centre of young leaves.
Apical bud necrosis is characteristic symptom (death & necrosis of growing tup)
Leaves may have leathery texture & exhibits curling, distortion & deformation
Reduced flowering & fruit set
Beans may have incomplete development & may not fill properly leads to reduced yield & lower quality.
Production of hollow or empty beans
Management
Analysis of soil to confirm the deficiency.
Application of borax (4 gram /plant or 4 kg/ acre) into the soil
Addition of borax (1 gram / liter 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
Inter veinal chlorosis of younger leaves
In severe cases leaves may shows whitening/bleaching appearance.
Necrotic spots observed on leaf tips & margins may turn brown or black colour leads to tissue death
Yield & quality of beans are reduced
Management
Iron content in Kerala soils is often high. So, get a soil test to determine the reason for the problem
Low potassium levels leads to iron deficiency
Addition of Ferrous Sulphate (6 gram/plant or 6 kg/ acre) into the deficient soils.
Manganese (Mn)
Symptoms
Interveinal chlorosis in younger leaves with checkered effect/coarse mottling
Necrotic spots on leaves are noticed.
Leaves appear twisted & deformed
Reduced growth
Noticed in soils with high pH
Management
Soil Analysis
Application of Manganese Sulphate (5 gram per litre of water) as foliar spray
Zinc (Zn)
Symptoms
Interveinal chlorosis of the leaf blade.
Leaves remains small and narrow
Abnormal shape of berries is observed.
Shortening of internodes giving the plant a rosette appearance
Delayed maturity & flowering is noticed.
Poor fruit development
Management
The optimal pH range for zinc availability is 5 to 7.5.
Confirm deficiencies by doing soil testing.
Avoid the application of Zinc and phosphate fertilizers at the same time
In severe cases, foliar spraying of Zinc sulphate (2 gram/liter of water) with Calcium carbonate (2.5 gram/liter of water) can be advocated in morning hours.
