C OLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
AND LIFE SCIENCES
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
AZ1609
February 2014
Diagnosing Nutrient Deficiencies Quick-Reference
Shawna Loper
Nutrient deficiencies can be identified in field through visual
observations. However, additional analysis, either plant or
soil testing is often necessary to confirm nutrient stress. The
following is a quick-reference flow chart that can be used in
field to identify potential nutrient deficiencies. Each nutrient
has unique deficiency symptoms. Deficiencies will appear in
many ways. It can be confused with other plant problems like
pathogens or spray damage. But nutrient deficiencies can often
be recognized because they tend to form symmetrical patterns,
where both sides of leaf or plant parts show the same pattern.
AGE OF LEAVES WITH SYMPTOMS
OLDER LEAVES
SYMPTOM START ON
OLDER LEAVES GOING
TO WHOLE PLANT
SYMPTOM ON
LOWER LEAVES
ONLY
LEAVES APPEAR PALE
GREEN/YELLOW IN COLOR.
INTERVEINAL CHLOROSIS
PLANT IS LIGHT GREEN.
YELLOWING & DISTORTION
OF OLDER LEAVES
OVERALL YELLOWING WITH
LOWER LEAVES YELLOWING
AND DRYING TO BROWN
MAGNESIUM
MOLYBDENUM
NITROGEN
OLDER LEAVES WILL
WILT OR SCORCH. EDGES
NECROTIC WITH SPOTS
ON LEAVES
POTASSIUM
STUNTED PLANT WITH
DARK GREEN OR
REDDISH-PURPLE COLOR
ON OLDER LEAVES
PHOSPHORUS
AGE OF LEAVES WITH SYMPTOMS
NEW LEAVES
NECROSIS
TERMINAL BUD
DIES
LEAVES BECOME LIGHT
GREEN & DISTORTED
BORON
NECROTIC EDGES.
CURLING OF YOUNG
LEAVES
CALCIUM
CHLOROSIS TERMINAL BUD REMAINS
CHLOROSIS
SPREADS TO
ENTIRE PLANT
NITROGEN
INTERVEINAL CHLOROSIS
STUNTED. LEAVES
DARK GREEN &
DISTORTED
COPPER
STEMS NOT SHORTENED
& ROSETTED
STEMS
SHORTENED &
ROSETTED
ZINC
CHLOROSIS AT
BASE OF LEAVES
& LEAVES ARE
BLEACHED
IRON
▪
▪
Chlorosis: yellowing or whitening of plant tissue to due
to loss or absence of chlorophyll
Necrosis: death of cells or tissue
Terminal bud- bud located at the tip of the stem
MANGANESE
C OLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
AND LIFE SCIENCES
Deficiency Terminology
▪
DEVELOP
NECROTIC
LEAVES
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
The University of Arizona
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Tucson, Arizona 85721
Shawna Loper
Assistant Area Agent, Agriculture
Contact:
Shawna Loper
sloper@email.arizona.edu
This information has been reviewed by University faculty.
cals.arizona.edu/pubs/crops/az1609.pdf
Other titles from Arizona Cooperative Extension can be found at:
cals.arizona.edu/pubs
Any products, services or organizations that are mentioned, shown or indirectly implied in this publication
do not imply endorsement by The University of Arizona.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Jeffrey
C. Silvertooth, Associate Dean & Director, Extension & Economic Development, College of Agriculture Life Sciences, The University of Arizona.
The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion,
sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation in its programs and activities.
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The University of Arizona - College of Agriculture and Life Sciences - Cooperative Extension