Leaves remain small & remaining pale green & deformed.
Deficiency leads to reduced shoot & root growth
Delayed flowering & fruiting is often noticed with reduced number or aborted flower & lesser fruit yield
Fruits formed will be pale, small and thick.
Leaf wilting
Stem become hard, thin & brittle
Leaves become small, pale & deformed
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
Purplish or reddish discolouration formed especially on underside of leaves
Shoots become short and thin.
Reduced root growth & hinders overall development of plant result in stunted growth
Delays maturity & flowering period
Plant produces brownish blotches on leaves
Abortion of female flowers.
Fruits become irregular, smaller in shapes & dull green to brown tint in colour.
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
Yellowing & browning of leaf margins
Leaf edges may become necrotic leading to scorched appearance
Necrotic spots on leaves spread from scorched area and extend toward middle
Poorly developed & undersized fruits
Curling of leaves are also noticed.
Deficiency leads to weak stems results in bending or breaking.
Deficiency more vulnerable to environmental stress
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
Development of necrosis at tip & edges of young leaves
Affected areas turn brown/black
Necrosis progress towards the centre of leaf
Shoots become irregular in shape.
Stunted or deformed root growth.
Plant exhibits weak & distorted growth
Fruit splitting with internal flesh become brown & break down to become watery
Fruits from calcium-deficient plants are smaller and tasteless
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
Interveinal chlorosis noticed on leaves
Plant exhibit curling or cupping
In severe deficiency plants exhibits
Stunted growth
Reduced fruit development with reduced size & quality
Chlorotic leaves generally turn red and then develop into spotted necrotic areas.
As deficiency progress the older leaves shrivel and drop
Premature leaf abscission
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 first appear in the upper leaves and leaf veins.
Overall yellowing of leaves
Delayed flowering , fruiting & maturity of plant
Reduced plant growth
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
Development of brown necrotic spots on leaves & stems
Deficiency leads to thickening & distortion of young leaves
Internal tissue of affected fruit breaks & results in hollow or pithy fruit
Stems of plant become more brittle & breakage
Younger leaves how necrotic tips
Plants are stunted & dwarfed
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
Interveinal chlorosis starts from younger leaves gradually spreads to older ones
In severe – yellowing between the leaf veins progress towards to necrosis leading to tissue death
Reduced shoot & root growth results in stunted plant
Plant produces weak & thin leaves
Poor flowering& fruit set
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
Interveinal chlorosis
Appear as faint yellowing between veins starts from younger leaves
Brown or black necrotic spots appear between veins of affected parts
Reduced growth & poor fruit set forms malformed fruits
Management
Soil Analysis
Application of Manganese Sulphate (2 gram per litre of water) as foliar spray
Zinc (Zn)
Symptoms
Interveinal chlorosis
Poor fruit set.
Distorted & deformed 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.
