SIGN OF NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES IN SOIL
Nitrogen
1. Stunted growth seen in the size and shape of the leaves.
2. Yellowing of the leaves toward the bottom of plant while those toward the top are green.
3. Leaves are pale to yellow until they get dried.
4. Formerly thick leaves becomes thinner
Excess
1. Over grown leaves
2. soft body, water and attracts insects and diseases
Phosphorus
1. The plant does not grow.
2. Leaves are pale , then turn dark green.
3. Red stains appear on the leaves, or dark red or purple at the base or middle of the leaves.
4. Leaves turn light ash green with burnt edges if the deficiency is severe.
Potassium
1. Leaves turn ash gray, especially toward the end.
2. Stems are weak, easily break such as in corn and sorghum
3. Harvest is poor
4. Edges and base of leaves appear burnt and shriveled, and turn yellow to brown among
mature leaves.
Iron
1. The edges of the leaves are yellowish; this spreads until only the veins of the leaves are green.
Toxicity:
1. Leaves turn yellowish to brown until dry up, or
2. Until they become dark brown with course veins
Zinc
1. veins of mature leaves become silvery
2. half of the big veins of the leaves die
3. leaves get smaller and change shape
4. the joints are shorter and stunted
Chlorine
1. growth of the plant is stunted
2. fruit bearing is poor
3. the plant gets yellowish or wilted and dried
4. color becomes cooper like
from: Philippine Farmer’s Journal Supplement
August 1980