Keys to nutrient deficiency symptoms in crops

The following simple key gives a place to start diagnosing nutrient deficiencies:

Nutrient      Colour change in lower leaves

N               Plant light green, older leaves yellow

P               Plants dark green with purple cast, leaves and plants small

K               Yellowing and scorching along the margin of older leaves

Mg           Older leaves have yellow discolouration between veins-finally reddish purple from edge inward

Zn           Pronounced interveinal chlorosis and bronzing of leaves

Nutrient        Colour change in upper leaves (terminal bud dies)

Ca               Delay in emergence of primary leaves, terminal buds deteriorate

B                 Leaves near growing point turn yellow, growth buds appear as white or light brown, with                                   dead tissue.

Nutrient      Colour change in upper leaves (terminal bud remains alive)

S                 Leaves including veins turn pale green to yellow, first appearance in young leaves.

Fe               Leaves yellow to almost white, interveinal chlorosis at leaf tip

Mn             Leaves yellowish-gray or reddish, gray with green veins

Cu              Young leaves uniformly pale yellow. May wilt or wither without chlorosis

Mo            Wilting of upper leaves, then chlorosis

Cl               Young leaves wilt and die along margin.