Deficiency symptoms will be first noticed in older leaves.
Leaves becomes yellowish-green , and eventually turn in chlorotic
Uniform chlorosis of entire leaf including veins
Restricted shoot growth and branching
Spindly appearance of plants
The leaflets are small, erect and with pink veins
Premature death of leaves
Flowers buds turn yellow and fall off
Reduced size and quality of fruits
Stunted growth of plants
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.
Leaf becomes light green in colour
Stems very thin and stunted
Necrotic spots on leaves
Purplish color on the underside of the leaf blade, especially the veins
Brown root with restricted development
Reduction of lateral branch production
Small and downward curled leaves
Reduced root growth
Slow growth of plant
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
Plants show drooping and yellowing of leaf margins
Plants were stunted, hard and chlorotic
Interveinal necrosis of leaves
Crinkling and downward curling of leaves
Fruits are softer, hollow, and irregular in size
Poorly colored, and showing a symptom of graywall
Marginal necrosis (tip burn)
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
Initial pale green discoloration and later necrotic lesions on leaves
Soft dead necrotic tissue at rapidly growing areas (Tip burn symptom)
Necrosis around the base of the leaves
Upward curling of leaves
Blossom end rot of the fruit
Scorching and die back of the main stem
Stunted growth of plants
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
Yellow discoloration of the margins
Interveinal chlorosis
Spotted necrotic areas on leaves
Premature leaf abscission
Fruits may show a green collar
Sunken necrotic spots which appeared on back of leaf
Stunted growth of plant
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
Veins and petioles show a very distinct reddish colour
Erect , twisted and brittle leaves
Uniform yellowing over the entire plant
Stems become hard and woody
Young leaves stiff and curled downward
Stunted growth of plants
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
Leaves show a light general chlorosis
Necrosis of meristematic tissues in the growing region
Reduced internodal lenght
Rosett appearance of leaves
Incomplete leaf formation
Inhibition of fruit and flower formation
Cracking of fruits and fruit fall
Internal browning and mottling on and in the fruits
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.
Copper (Cu)
Symptoms
Symptoms occur in young leaves
Interveinal chlorosis
Curled leaves
Downward bending of petioles
Netted, green veining leaves bleaching to whitish gray.
Sunken necrotic spots on leaves
Reduced number and size of leaves
Permanent loss of turgor
Stunted growth of plants
Management
Soil testing and analysis
Addition of organic matter
Apply copper sulphate 8 gram/cent or 800 gram/acre
Foliar spray of CuSO4 at 0.5 % (5g in 1 litre of water) twice at weekly interval
Iron (Fe)
Symptoms
Deficiency symptoms first appear on young leaves
Interveinal chlorosis
Leaf veins remain green interveinal portion turns yellow
Complete yellowing of young leaves
Yellow leaves with dark green veins
Leaves are small but not deformed
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
Marginal chlorosis of young leaves
Interveinal chlorosis
Interveinal necrosis
Reduced size of leaves
Downward curling of leaves
Stunted growth of plants
Reduced root growth
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 of leaves with whitening
Little leaf symptoms
Interveinal necrosis
Short internodes with resetting of leaves
Downward curling of leaves
Stunted growth
Reduced fruit production
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
