Pale green to light green colour changes on leaves are seen
Stems become thin and sticky in nature
Early leaf abscission
Plants with few flowers and poorly filled pods
Deficiency causes Delayed flowering & pod formation
Stunted growth
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
Add organic matter to the soil at the time of planting
Treat the planting materials with bio fertilizers like Rhizobium etc
Phosphorus (P)
Symptoms
Deficiency symptoms will be first noticed in older leaves
Yellowing of leaves with thin stem & short internodes
Excess foliage formation with less number of flower production
Foliage may be sparse, small and distorted becoming mottled and bronzy with maturity
Stunted growth of plants with Delayed flowering & pod formation
Purple discolouration towards tip & margin
Upward curling of leaves with thinner stems
Deficient plant have Small & less vigour compared to healthy plants
Poor root development
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
White, yellow or orange chlorotic spots or stripes on older leaves
Leaves may crinkle, turn brown and roll upwards
Appearance of browning or yellowing at the edges & tips of the older leaves
Affected plants may dry up & die
Exhibits reduced shoot & root growth
Weaken the stem and make it prone to lodging
Increased susceptibility to stress and various environmental conditions such as heat and drought
Exhibit Wilting even when soil moisture is available
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
Leaf Deformation, Irregular edges in leaves & signs of necrosis are symptoms of deficiency
Browning and necrosis of the growing tips of roots and leaves
Tissues between the veins tend to ridge
Young leaves are small and distorted with curled back leaf tips
Petioles may break down.
Rosetting of leaves
Reduced fruit quality
Necrosis appears as brown /black patches on leaves.
Reduced root growth
Decay in pods & reduce the quality of pod.
Increased susceptibility to diseases by weakening cell walls
Management
Analysis of pH in the soil
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 of 40 m2 in two split doses). And in areas of moderate acidity (pH between 5.5 and 6), apply lime (1 kg/cent of 40 m2).
High phosphorus levels leads 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 will be first noticed in older leaves
Interveinal chlorosis between the veins
In Severe case necrotic blotch appears between the veins
Severe defoliation of plants
Leaves become brittle and thin with leaf curling
Stunted growth of plants
Leaf curls downward & upwards
Malformed shapes & poor filling of pods
poor fruiting & flowering
Management
Do the soil analysis and confirm the deficiency.
Addition of Magnesium sulphate (320 gram /cent 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
Deficiency symptoms first appear in the upper and younger leaves
Chlorosis followed by general yellowing
Under severe conditions entire plant to turn yellow
Yellowing of plants
Plants show stunted growth with shorter stems & smaller leaves
Impaired pod formation & seed development
Management
Application of sulphur-containing fertilisers, such as Factamfos, Ammonium sulphate, Single superphosphate, etc., reduces the deficiency.
In sulphur deficient soils , apply sulphur dust (100 gram per cent 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
Deficiency symptoms first appear in the upper and younger leaves
Exhibit terminal bud necrosis (death of growing tip of the main stem & dies back)
Formation of multiple branches called bushy appearance
Plants develop Brittle & Distorted stems
Plants exhibit abnormal flat patterns
Flowers may show abnormalities such as reduced fertility, incomplete pollination, incomplete seed set
Chlorosis & necrosis on leaves
Chlorosis appear on margins of younger leaves and progress towards the base
Flower buds may fall off before the development into flowers
Management
Analysis of soil to confirm the deficiency.
Application of borax (40 gram /cent or 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 in the upper and younger leaves
Interveinal chlorosis with eventual bleaching of the new growth.
In severe deficiency, the entire plant may be light green in color.
Marginal scorching or browning of leaf tips
Leaves may appear smaller & thinner
Bronze or reddish tint on younger leaves are observed
Stunted growth with shorter stems & smaller stems
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 (60 gram/cent or 6 kg/ acre) into the deficient soils.
Manganese (Mn)
Symptoms
Deficiency symptoms first appear on those leaves just reaching their full size
Interveinal chlorosis, veins also become chlorotic.
Marginal scorching, rolling and reduced width of leaves
Leaf deformation & curling/rolling
Affected leaves may become leathery & brittle
Necrotic spots appear on leaves along with margins
Spots expand & resulting large patches of necrosis of leaves
Develop speckling or large spots
Management
Soil Analysis
Application of Manganese Sulphate ( 5 gram per litre of water) as foliar spray
Zinc (Zn)
Symptoms
deficiency symptoms first appear on young leaves
Interveinal chlorosis
Early loss of twigs.
Distorted or puckered leaf margins
Leaf margins become curl or wavy resulting in crinkled appearance
Rosetting of leaves
Reduction in size of leaves ('little leaf')
Short internodes
Leaves develop Distorted or resetting growth patterns
Smaller leaves with reduced leaf expansion
abnormal leaf size & Delayed leaf development
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 (800 g /cent or 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.
