Deficiency symptoms will be first noticed in older leaves.
Pale green to light green colour change on leaves.
Distorted leaves
Yellowish white leaf colour under extreme deficiency
Reduced branching results in short ,spindly plants
Yellowing is uniform including the veins
Stunted growth of plants
Fruits are small and chlorotic
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
Purple discoloration of stem, petiole and underside of leaves
Blue grey luster on leaf under severe deficiency
Reduced number of leaves
Short and thin shoots
Poor branching
Poor root growth
Stunted growth of plants
Delayed flowering and maturity
Fruits small and distorted in shape
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 (tip burn) of leaves
Interveinal necrosis
Irreversible chlorosis of leaves
Crinkled and curled leaf
Stunted growth of plant
Reduced size and number of leaves
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
Browning and necrosis of the growing tips of roots and leaves
Blossom end rot of the fruit
Upward curling of leaves
Necrosis around the base of the leaves
small and deformed leaves
Marginal leaf chlorosis followed by necrosis
Flower buds will fail to develop
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
interveinal chlorosis
The largest veins remain green
premature leaf abscission
spotted necrosis of leaves
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
Distinct reddish colour on veins and petioles
Twisted and brittle leaves
Plant growth is restricted
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
Light general chlorosis of leaves
Malformed newly emerging leaves
Necrosis of meristematic tissues lead to loss of apical dominance
Leaves become distorted and brittle
Stunted growth.
Young leaves become smaller in size
Reduction in weight and size of the fruit.
Cracking of fruits and fruit fall
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 the new growth
Yellow leaves with dark green veins
Leaf becomes pale white in colour.
Drying starts inwards from tips and margins of leaves
Stunted growth
veins remain green, which gives a net-like pattern
shedding of leaves
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 mottled chlorosis
Marginal chlorosis of young leaves
dark necrotic areas along the veins
Fine network of green veins in a light green background on leaves
Fruits with raised spots which are dark brown on black in colour
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
Leaf becomes brittle and stiff
Small and reduced number and leaves
Non uniform maturity of crop
Mottling of leaves
Thin stem developed
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.
Molybdenum (Mo)
Symptoms
Distorted leaves with reduced leaf area
Interveinal chlorosis with dark green main veins
"Whiptail" formation
chlorotic leaf margins
In severe cases the whole leaf turns yellowish
Management
Soil application of 1.0 kg sodium molybdate /ha
Foliar spray of sodium molybdate 0.1%
Soil application of 120kg N, 75 kg P and Mo 1.5kg/ha, 1 kg B/ha
