NITROGEN (N)
REQUIRED FOR:
Synthesis of amino acids, alkaloids chlorophyll, protoplasm, nucleic
acids and enzymes
Good growth and protein content
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS:
Younger leaves remain small
Reduced disease tolerance
Older leaves fade to yellow
PHOSPHORUS (P)
REQUIRED FOR:
Formation of DNA, RNA, energy transfer and storage.
Aids in root and shoot formation
Rapid healthy growth
Proper fruiting and seeding
Fat production
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS:
Oldest leaves turn dull or dark green with gradual `autumn' reddening
Yellowing and/or bluing mid-veins
Young leaves remain very small
Necrosis begins at leaf tip and progresses to the base
Shortened internodes
POTASSIUM (K)
REQUIRED FOR:
Translocation of sugars
Starch formation
Increased size and quality of fruit and grains
Cell membranes and stomatal changes
Disease and chill resistance
Root growth and xylem formation
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS:
Weak stems
Old leaves turn brown as tip and side necrosis curls the leaf upwards
and inwards
Bending and lodging
MAGNESIUM (Mg)
REQUIRED FOR:
Chlorophyll formation
Catalyst for plant growth enzymes
Prevention of `rattiness'
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS:
Oldest leaves develop a bronze yellow chlorosis which progresses inward
and downward like a "V" until the leaf withers
Inter-venial yellowing on new leaves
Leaves curl upward along margins
CALCIUM (Ca)
REQUIRED FOR:
Cell wall formation
Enzyme catalyst
New cell production
Maintaining a balance between Mg & K
Neutralizing harmful by products
Preventing tips from dying
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS:
Older leaves become thick & brittle
Premature shedding of blossoms and buds
Weak stems
SULFUR (S)
REQUIRED FOR:
Protein components
Volatile plant oils/scents
Fruit and seed maturity
Vitamin B1
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS:
(Uncommon)
Youngest leaves turn pale green then gradually yellow and remain small.
IRON (Fe)
REQUIRED FOR:
Chlorophyll formation
Activation of respiration
Photosynthesis
Nitrogen fixation
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS:
New leaves with inter-venial chlorosis
Veins remain small
New leaves may turn creamy in color, remain small and fall off.
MANGANESE (Mn)
REQUIRED FOR:
Chlorophyll formation with Iron
Activator of growth enzymes
Formation of 02 in photosynthesis
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS:
Similar to Iron
COPPER (Cu)
REQUIRED FOR:
Activating enzymes
Vitamin A synthesis
Protein synthesis
Pigments
Regulation of soil nitrogen
High concentration of seeds
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS:
Young leaves remain small and wilt
Stunted growth
Poor pigmentation
Die-back in fruit Hard fruits
Lack of vegetables
BORON (B)
REQUIRED FOR:
Active growing tissue differentiation
Geotropic responses
Regulation of carbohydrate metabolism
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS:
Short thick stems
Small rigid leaves
Sunken necrotic spots and nodes
New stems die-back and petiole and edges of leaves crack
"Witches Broom" development
ZINC (Zn)
REQUIRED FOR:
Enzyme constituents
Controlling the synthesis of some growth regulators
Chlorophyll formation
Respiration
Nitrogen metabolism
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS:
The new leaves form rosettes
Leaf size reduction
Fruit size reduction
Inter-venial chlorosis
Twig die-back
MOLYBDENUM (Mb)
REQUIRED FOR:
Transformation of nitrates into amino acids
Nitrogen fixation in legumes
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS:
Old leaves yellow followed by cupping and marginal scorching
Stunting
CHLORINE (Ch)
REQUIRED FOR:
Red, blue and violet pigments
Maturation
Photosynthesis
Water retention in cells
Catalyst in O2 production
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS:
Marginal necrosis
FLUORINE (Fl)
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS:
Marginal burning on old leaves tips
COBALT (Co)
REQUIRED FOR:
Nitrogen fixation in root nodules
Vitamin B12
SODIUM (Na)
REQUIRED FOR:
Part of the manner in which K is used
