Like humans and animals, plants have vital nutrients that they obtain from the soil, water and air. Soil composition has a direct impact on plant health, as it is in the soil that the main trace elements are found: iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, manganese and many others.
If any element is missing, the plant gets sick and may even die. However, an overabundance of minerals is no less dangerous. How to know which element in the soil is insufficient or, on the contrary, too much?
Soil analysis is carried out by special research laboratories, and all large farms use their services. But what can non-professional gardeners or flower lovers do? How to independently diagnose the lack of nutrients?
It’s simple: if the soil lacks iron, phosphorus, magnesium and any other substance, the plant itself will tell you, because their health and appearance depends, among other things, on the amount of mineral elements in the soil.
Very often, the plant experiences a deficiency of individual microelements in the event that the composition of the soil is not balanced. Too high or, conversely, low acidity, excessive content of sand, peat, lime, black soil – all this leads to a lack of any mineral components.
The trace element content is also influenced by climatic conditions, especially excessively low temperatures. Usually, the characteristic symptoms of micronutrient deficiencies are pronounced and do not overlap with each other, so it is quite easy to identify nutrient deficiency, especially for an experienced gardener.
In this regard, let’s see how to identify nutrient deficiency in plants:
- Iron. It is a vital element for a plant involved in the photosynthesis process and accumulates mainly in the leaves. Lack of iron in the soil and, therefore, in plant nutrition, is one of the most common diseases called chlorosis. And, although chlorosis is a symptom that is also characteristic of a deficiency of magnesium, nitrogen and many other elements, iron deficiency is the first and foremost cause of chlorosis. Signs of iron chlorosis are yellowing or whitening of the interveinal space of the leaf plate, while the color of the veins themselves does not change. First of all, the upper (young) leaves are affected. Plant growth and development does not stop, but newly emerging shoots have an unhealthy chlorotic color. Iron deficiency occurs most often in soils with high acidity. Iron deficiency is treated with special preparations containing iron chelate, which can also be made by yourself by mixing 4 grams of 1 liter ferrous sulfate, water and adding 2.5 grams to the solution citric acid. One of the most effective home remedies for iron deficiency is to drive some rusty nails into the ground.
- Magnesium. Approximately 20 % of this substance is contained in the chlorophyll of the plant. This means that magnesium is essential for proper photosynthesis. In addition, the mineral is involved in redox processes. When there is not enough magnesium in the soil, chlorosis also occurs in the leaves of the plant. But, unlike the signs of iron chlorosis, the lower and older leaves suffer first. The color of the leaf plate between the veins changes to reddish, yellowish. Spots appear all over the leaf, indicating tissue death. The veins themselves do not change color and the overall leaf color resembles a herringbone pattern. Often, with a lack of magnesium, you can see the deformation of the leaf: curling and wrinkling of the edges. To eliminate the lack of magnesium, special fertilizers are used that contain a large amount of the necessary substance: dolomite flour, potassium, magnesium, magnesium sulfate. Wood ashes and ashes well compensate for magnesium deficiency.
- Copper. It is important for the correct processes of proteins and carbohydrates in the plant cell and, consequently, for plant development. Excessive content of peat (humus) and sand in the soil mixture often leads to copper deficiency. Popularly, this disease is called white blight or whitemouth. Citrus houseplants, tomatoes and cereals are especially sensitive to copper deficiency. The following signs will help identify copper deficiency in the soil: general lethargy of leaves and stems, especially the upper ones, stunting and arrest of new shoot growth, death of the apical bud, white spots on the leaf tip or the entire leaf plate. In cereals, spiral twisting of leaves is sometimes observed. For the treatment of copper deficiency, copper-containing fertilizers are used: copper-containing superphosphate, copper sulfate, pyrite ash.
- Zinc. It has a great effect on the rate of redox processes, as well as on the synthesis of nitrogen, carbohydrates and starches. Zinc deficiency is generally found in acidic, marshy or sandy soils. The symptoms of zinc deficiency are usually located on the leaves of the plant. This is a general yellowing of the leaf or the appearance of individual spots, often the spots become more saturated, bronze in color. Subsequently, the tissue in these areas dies. First, the symptoms appear on the old (lower) leaves of the plant, gradually increasing more and more. In some cases, spots may also appear on the stems. Newly emerged leaves are abnormally small and covered with yellow specks. Sometimes upward curling of the leaf can be observed. In case of zinc deficiency, complex fertilizers containing zinc or zinc sulfate are used.
- Bor. With the help of this element, the plant fights viral and bacterial diseases. In addition, boron is actively involved in the growth and development of new shoots, buds and fruits. Swampy, calcareous and acidic soils very often lead to boric starvation of the plant. Several types of beets and cabbage suffer especially from boron deficiency. Boron deficiency symptoms appear mainly on the young shoots and upper leaves of the plant. The color of the leaves changes to light green, the leaf plate twists into a horizontal tube. Leaf veins darken, even black, and break when bent. The upper shoots are especially affected, until death, the growing point is affected, as a result of which the plant develops with the help of lateral processes. The formation of flowers and ovaries slows down or stops altogether, flowers and fruits that have already appeared, crumble. Boric acid will help to compensate for the lack of boron.
- Molybdenum. Molybdenum is essential for photosynthesis, vitamin synthesis, nitrogen and phosphorus metabolism, in addition, the mineral is a component of many plant enzymes. If a large amount of brown or brown spots appear on the old (lower) leaves of the plant, and the veins remain a normal green color, the plant may lack molybdenum. In this case, the leaf surface becomes deformed, swollen and the edges of the leaves curl. New young leaves do not change color at first, but over time, spots appear on them. The manifestation of molybdenum deficiency is called “Viptail disease”. Molybdenum deficiency can be compensated with fertilizers such as ammonium molybdate and ammonium molybdate.
- Manganese. It is essential for the synthesis of ascorbic acid and sugars. In addition, the element increases the chlorophyll content in the leaves, increases the plant’s resistance to unfavorable factors and improves fruiting. Manganese deficiency is determined by the pronounced chlorotic color of the leaves: the central and lateral veins remain deep green and the interveinal tissue becomes lighter (turns light green or yellowish). Unlike iron chlorosis, the pattern is not as pronounced and the yellowing is not as bright. At first, symptoms can be seen at the base of the upper leaves. Over time, as the leaves age, the chlorotic pattern spreads and streaks appear on the leaf lamina along the midrib. For treatment of manganese deficiency, manganese sulfate or complex fertilizers containing manganese are used. From home remedies, you can use a weak solution of potassium permanganate or diluted manure.
- Nitrogen. It is one of the most important elements in a plant. There are two forms of nitrogen, one of which is necessary for oxidative processes in the plant and the other for reductive ones. Nitrogen helps maintain the necessary water balance and also stimulates plant growth and development. Very often, nitrogen deficiency in the soil occurs in early spring, due to low soil temperatures, which prevent the formation of minerals. Nitrogen deficiency is most pronounced in the early development stage of the plant: thin and sluggish shoots, small leaves and inflorescences, low branching. In general, the plant does not develop well. In addition, the lack of nitrogen may be indicated by a change in the color of the leaves, in particular, the color of the veins, both central and lateral. With nitrogen deficiency, the veins turn yellow at first and then the leaf veins turn yellow. In addition, the color of veins and leaves may turn reddish, brown or light green. Symptoms appear mainly on older leaves and eventually affect the entire plant. Nitrogen deficiency can be replenished with fertilizers containing nitrate nitrogen (potassium, ammonium, sodium and other nitrates) or ammonium nitrogen (ammophos, ammonium sulfate, urea). Natural organic fertilizers have a high nitrogen content.
- Phosphorus. This trace element is especially important during flowering and fruit formation, as it stimulates plant development, including fruiting. Phosphorus is also necessary for proper overwintering, so the best time to apply fluoride fertilizers is the second half of summer. Signs of phosphorus deficiency are difficult to confuse with any other symptoms: leaves and shoots are stained blue, the gloss of the leaf surface is lost. In particularly advanced cases, the color may even be purple, purple or bronze. On the lower leaves, areas of dead tissue appear, then the leaf dries out completely and falls off. The fallen leaves are painted in a dark, almost black color. At the same time, young shoots continue to develop, but look weakened and depressed. In general, the lack of phosphorus affects the overall development of the plant: the formation of inflorescences and fruits slows down and the yield decreases. Treatment of phosphorus deficiency is carried out with the help of phosphorus fertilizers: phosphate flour, potassium phosphate, superphosphate. Poultry manure contains a large amount of phosphorus. Ready-to-use phosphorus fertilizers dissolve in water for a long time, so they should be applied in advance.
- Potassium. It is one of the main elements of plant mineral nutrition. Its function is enormous: maintaining water balance, improving plant immunity, improving stress resistance and much more. An insufficient amount of potassium leads to marginal leaf scorch (deformation of the leaf edge, accompanied by drying). Brown spots appear on the leaf plate, veins appear pressed against the leaf. Symptoms appear mainly on older leaves. Often, potassium deficiency leads to active leaf drop during the flowering period. Stems and shoots fall, the development of the plant slows down: the appearance of new shoots and buds, fruit set is suspended. Even if new shoots grow, their shape is poorly developed and ugly. Supplements such as potassium chloride, potassium, magnesium, potassium sulfate and wood ashes help to make up for the lack of potassium.
- Calcium. It is important for the correct functioning of plant cells, protein and carbohydrate metabolism. The root system is the first to suffer from a lack of calcium. Signs of calcium deficiency manifest themselves, first of all, on young leaves and shoots: brown spots, curvatures, twists… later, already formed and newly emerging shoots die. Lack of calcium leads to a violation of the digestibility of other minerals, therefore, signs of potassium, nitrogen or magnesium starvation may appear in the plant. It should be noted that indoor plants rarely suffer from calcium deficiency, as tap water contains enough salts of this substance. Lime fertilizers help to increase the amount of calcium in the soil: gypsum, dolomite limestone, dolomite flour, slaked lime and many others.
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