Diagnosing Nutrient Deficiencies
Visual signs and symptoms of mobile nutrient deficiencies
Plants communicate their nutrient needs through visual cues. When mobile nutrients are lacking, specific signs and symptoms appear, primarily in the older leaves. Here is what I noted:
- Yellowing or discoloration starting from the bottom leaves and progressing upwards.
- Stunted growth and reduced leaf size.
- Leaves turning pale or showing interveinal chlorosis (yellowing between leaf veins).
- Premature leaf drop or leaf death.
Visual signs and symptoms of immobile nutrient deficiencies
Immobile nutrient deficiencies often affect the newer leaves. Look for the following signs to identify potential immobile nutrient deficiencies:
- Interveinal chlorosis, where the leaf veins remain green while the spaces between them turn yellow or show discoloration.
- Browning at leaf edges.
- Distorted or twisted leaf growth.
- Slowed growth and smaller leaf size in the affected areas.
