Nutrients and Deficiencies Flashcards
Nitrogen
-Promotes vegetative growth (green growth)
-Primary macronutrient most needed
-Too much can make leggy or cause pest problems
-can deplete plant in low light settings
Nitrogen deficiency signs
-slow and stunted growth
-chlorosis
-shows up in older leaves and tips of grasses
Phosphorus
-roots, flowers, fruits
-balances nitrogen
-needs pH reaction to be useable (6-7)
-often included in starter fertilizers
Phosphorus deficiency
-small stunted leaves
-dark green or reddish leaves
-shows up in older leaves
-delayed maturity
-poor root system
-plant size reduction
Potassium
-metabolism, nutrient transport, overall health, flowering
-second only to nitrogen in plant consumption
-regulates functions related to osmosis
-taken up by roots
-less mobile in clay soils (more available)
-uptake more rapid in neutral soils
Potassium deficiency
-scorched leaf margins on lower older leaves
-interveinal chlorosis
Calcium
-used in third greatest amount by plants
-cell walls and membranes, pectin, stress resistance, regulating plant functions
-availability depends on CEC
-excessive K and Mg can inhibit uptake
Calcium deficiency
-blossom end rot
-appears in new growth
Magnesium
-essential ingredient in chlorophyll
-aids uptake of other elements, activates many enzyme systems
-easily leached from soil
-K and P can inhibit uptake
Magnesium deficiency
-less resistant to drought, cold, disease
-interveinal chlorosis in older leaves
Sulfur
-least quantity needed of macronutrients
-making chlorophyll and proteins, seed production, stress tolerance
-readily leached
Sulfur deficiency
-stunted newer leaves
-pale green
-looks like nitrogen deficiency
Iron
-metallic trace element, trace element used in greatest amounts
-form chemicals, especially chlorophyll
-solubility relates directly to pH (less available above 6)
-Acid loving plants may suffer shortage in alkaline or calcareous soils
Iron deficiency
-interveinal chlorosis on new leaves
Manganese
-metallic trace element
-formation of chlorophyll, speeds seed germination, crop maturing, helps plant take up other nutrients
Managese deficiency
-dwarfing
-interveinal chlorosis on young leaves
Copper
-metallic trace element
-chlorophyll and lignin, disease resistance, moisture control
Copper deficiency
-inhibit pollen formation
-lower fruit yield
Zinc
-metallic trace element
-chlorophyll and protein production
-synthesize plant growth hormone
Zinc deficiency
-tight growth of small leaves
-interveinal chlorosis
Chlorine
-anionic trace element
-found everywhere and water soluble
Chlorine deficiency
-rare but more common in palms
Boron
-anionic trace element
-cell wall and membrane integrity
Boron deficiency
collapse of shoot and root tips
Molybdenum
-anionic trace element
-needed for proper nitrogen metabolism
-most available in high pH soils
Nickel
-metallic trace element, least amount needed
-rarely deficient
-metabolism of urea
Potassium deficiency in Palms
-affects older fronds first
-early symptoms: translucent yellow-orange spots, black spots, dead tissue along margins
-later symptoms: fronds stunted and trunk pencil pointing
Palms susceptible to potassium deficiency
-coconut
-areca
-spindle
-queen
-royal
Amendment for Potassium deficiency in palms
-slow release potash with magnesium (Mg deficiency can occur from extra potassium)
-can take up to 2 years to recover
Magnesium deficiency in palms
-areas of poor soil and high rainfall
-light yellow band along leaf margin starting on older leaves
-in severe cases tips turn brown
Palms susceptible to magnesium deficiency
date palm
Amendment for Palms deficient in Magnesium
-apply 2-4 pounds of magnesium sulfate (epsom salt) per tree 4 times a year
-may take years to recover
Manganese deficiency in Palms
-frizzeltop
-shows up in acid loving palms in alkaline soil, too much water, or cold temperatures
-symptoms on new growth: deformed, reduced size, dead brown areas
-can kill the bud which kills the plant
Palms susceptible to Manganese deficiency
-Pygmy date
-royal
-queen
-parotis
Amendment for Palm deficient in Manganese
-apply manganese sulfate to soil or spray on foliage
-do not plant acid loving palms in alkaline soil
Nitrogen deficiency in Palms
-not a big problem
-due to poor soil and lack of fertilizer
-light green color and decreased growth
-symptoms start on oldest fronds
-entire canopy can turn yellow green and then white
-pencil pointing
Amendement for palms deficient in nitrogen
-slow release fertilizer with nitrogen or a foliar spray
Iron deficiency in palms
-uncommon
-due to poorly aerated soil, root damage, or improper planting depth
-yellow-green fronds with green veining
-appears on new leaves first
-later, dead tissue at tips
-can stunt or kill over time
Amendment for Palm with Iron deficiency
-add iron if not a condition issue
How do we test for soil nutrients?
EC reading or soil test
3 non-mineral/water Macronutrients
-Carbon
-Hydrogen
-Oxygen
C
Carbon
H
Hydrogen
O
Oxygen
3 Primary soil macronutrients
-Nitrogen
-Phosphorus
-Potassium
N
Nitrogen
P
Phosphorus
K
Potassium
3 Secondary soil macronutrients
-Calcium
-Magnesium
-Sulfur
Ca
Calcium
Mg
Magnesium
S
Sulfur
8 micronutrients
-Iron
-Manganese
-Copper
-Chlorine
-Boron
-Nickel
-Zinc
-Molybdenum
Fe
iron
Mn
Manganese
Cu
Copper
Cl
Chlorine
B
Boron
Ni
Nickel
Zn
Zinc
Mo
Molybdenum
