Deficiency symptoms will be first noticed in older leaves.
Yellowing of leaves
Branching is reduced resulting in short, spindly plants
Plants are stunted
Leaves are smaller than normal
Shoots are thin
Older leaves become stiff small in size
Pods are tough
Premature shedding of leaves
Reduced flowering and fruiting yield
The fruits are small in size, pale in colour and early maturing
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
Deficiency symptoms will be first noticed in older leaves
purpling of the stem , petiole and under sides of the leaves, particularly the leaf veins.
Plants are stunted
Leaf tips and margins turn yellow and then become scorched continuing inward to the leaf center.
Leaf margin cup downward
interveinal leaf necrosis
Poorly developed roots and fruit
Leaves are smaller in size and turn dirty greyish green
Premature shedding of leaves
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
marginal necrosis and interveinal necrosis
Curling and crinkling of leaves
Reduced number of leaves
Abscission of scorched leaves
Leaf margins are brown yellow, brown or scorched
Leaf margin cup downward
Stunted growth and weak stems
Poorly developed roots and fruit
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 symptoms will be first noticed in younger leaves
Classic symptom is blossom end rot of the fruit
Yellow stripes parallel to leaf midrib and crinkling of leaves.
Marginal chlorosis
leaves become harder
Upward curling of leaves
Brown to Black leathery spots on the underside of fruits.
Die back of growing regions
Dead necrotic tissue at rapidly growing areas
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
Symptoms first appear on those leaves just reaching their full size
Yellowing in the middle of the leaf blade with green margins
interveinal chlorosis
spotted necrosis
Veins remain green
Purplish mottling of petiole and malformed leaves
premature leaf abscission
Reduced fruit yield
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 younger leaves.
Chlorosis followed by general yellowing
The veins and petioles show a very distinct reddish colour
Plant growth is restricted
leaves become narrow, more pointed and chlorotic.
Leaves remain small, particularly the younger ones
Downward curling of 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 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
Deficiency is seen mainly in younger leaves
Malformed newly emerging leaves
Necrosis of meristematic tissues in the growing region
Stunted growth
leaves are unusually brittle and tend to break easily
Base of the new leaves wrinkled or deformed
Short internodes
Branching or flowering does not takes place
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
Deficiency symptoms first appear on young leaves
Interveinal chlorosis with eventual bleaching of whole leaf
Leaf veins remain green interveinal portion turns yellow ,which gives a net-like pattern
Yellow young leaves small but not deformed
Entire plant become light green in colour
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
Deficiency symptoms first appear on those leaves just reaching their full size
interveinal chlorosis
development of small dark necrotic lesions in chlorotic areas
Fine network of green veins in a light green background on leaves
Reduced leave size
Stunted growth of plants.
Mottling of leaves
Management
Soil Analysis
Application of Manganese Sulphate (2 gram per litre of water) as foliar spray
Zinc (Zn)
Symptoms
Deficiency symptoms first appear on young leaves
Interveinal chlorosis with an eventual whiting
Reduced leaf area and number
Distorted and rosette forms of leaves
Inhibition of vegetative growth and fruit production
Shortening of internodes
Delayed flowering and the flowers fails to set fruits
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.
