Home FAQ Hydroponics Nutrient deficiency symptoms - a brief summary

 

Potassium
Lower leaves are mottled. Yellowing and death of tips and edges of older leaves.

Nitrogen
The plant is light in colour and weak and spindly. small leaves with the lower leaves light green. some plants ( strawberries ) show a reddening of the older leaves.

Too much N/NO3 - plants uncontrollably vigorous
Too much N/NH4 damage to roots and collapse of plant

Phosphorous
leaves are unusually dark and may become purple. Lower leaves may turn yellow between the veins. plants are stunted

Calcium
Tips of young leaves and growing points die. blossom end rot of tomatoes.

Magnesium
Margins of lower leaves curl. Yellow areas may appear between veins

Iron
Younger leaves yellow between veins but yellowing spreads to to whole leaf and the leaves die from the edges.

Manganese
Upper leaves become yellow between the veins and in severe cases dead spots form. the veins remain green.

Boron
Plants become brittle and growing tips may die.

Drought conditions or high salinity can cause the edges of the leaves to burn and in severe cases leaves will drop from the plant.