1. Nutrient Deficiencies
The definitive guide

2. Macro nutrients Water (also a source of hydrogen ions) Carbon - air
Oxygen - air
Nitrogen - air
Phosphorus - soil
Potassium - soil
Calcium - soil
Magnesium - soil
Sulphur – soil and air

3. Nutrient removal Wheat and barley grain, Queensland 1988 (tonnes)
Total
Fertilizers added
Nitrogen
53340
10500
63840
11289
Phosphorus
5511
1085
6596
2062
Potassium
6597
1400
7979 69

4. Nitrogen deficiency
Light green to yellow appearance esp in older leaves
Stunted growth
Poor fruit development

5. Phosphorus deficiency
Purple colouration
Stunted plant growth and delayed development
P deficiency in brassicas and lupins
(Source WA Dept of Agriculture)

6. Potassium deficiency
Older leaves turn yellow initially around the margins
Potassium deficient brassicas and lucerne.
(Top photo WA Dept of Agriculture)

7. Calcium deficiency Blossom end rot of tomatoes
Reduced growth or death of growing tips
Photo one
Photo two W A Dept of Agriculture

8. Magnesium deficiency
Initial yellowing of old leaves between veins eg tomatoes and citrus
Spreads to younger leaves
Poor fruit development
Photo one Cornell University
Photo two SBS Vasilis garden

9. Sulphur deficiency
Initial yellowing of young growth spreading to whole plant
Similar to nitrogen deficiency but affects young leaves first
eg beans

10. Micro nutrients
Iron
Copper
Manganese
Zinc
Boron
Molybdenum
Chlorine

11. Iron deficiency
Yellow or white patches between veins similar to magnesium deficiency but mainly on alkaline soils or potting mixes
Spots of dead leaf tissue
Photo 1 pin oak
Photo 2 citrus
hortnews/files/images

12. Copper deficiency Sandy soils or high organic matter soils
Light chlorosis
Permanent loss of turgor in the young leaves.
Young leaves may become dark green and twisted or misshapen
Steely wool in sheep
Photo 1
Photo 2

13. Manganese toxicity Deficiency rare on Australian soils
Toxicity more common on acid soils
Older leaves with brown spots surrounded by chlorotic zone.
Eg Oranges

14. Zinc deficiency Chlorosis between the veins Eg citrus & sorghum
Occurs in alkaline or low organic matter soils
May occur when soil phosphorus levels are high
Photo 1
Photo 2

15. Molybdenum Common in low pH soils
Whip tail and leaf distortion in brassicas
May express as nitrogen deficiency
Stunted growth of legumes

16. Boron deficiency Hollow heart in brassicas
Death of growing tips in radiata pine
Photo 1

17. Chlorine (salt) toxicity
Yellowing and light brown burn of leaf tip
Burn extends back from tip and moves along leaf margins
There is a variable degree of yellowing ahead of the burnt tissue
Photos