No one doubts the fact that the soil on which our favorite plants grow needs to be cultivated, improved and fertilized. However, desire alone is not enough in this important matter, it is important to be able to notice and recognize signs in time that indicate which nutrients a tree, shrub) or garden plant lacks.

The lack of one or another element has its own characteristic symptoms and manifests itself in external signs. Often the type of soil itself initially suggests a certain deficiency, leading to a metabolic disorder in the plant, as a result of which leaves turn yellow and fall off, shoots die, etc. Sometimes novice gardeners and gardeners mistakenly take these symptoms as signs of various diseases, while in fact the plants should not be treated, but only fed with certain fertilizers.

On light sandy and sandy loamy soils, plants often suffer from a lack of potassium, magnesium, sulfur, iodine and bromine. On carbonate or excessively calcareous soils, there is a deficiency of manganese, boron and zinc. Peatlands limit the intake of copper, manganese, boron and potassium.

Interestingly, each nutrient has its own indicator plants that will tell you exactly what is lacking in the soil or what nutrient is present in excess. By the way, too many nutrients are also bad, because if the plants received certain mineral and organic matter in excess, they show signs of mineral poisoning.

❧ organic fertilizers have a beneficial effect on the composition of the soil, improve its water and air permeability, stabilize the structure. In the process of decomposition in the ground, organic fertilizers form a layer of humus, which increases soil fertility.

How to determine the lack of fertilizers in the soil

How is nitrogen deficiency manifested?

The lack of nitrogen is most clearly manifested on the older lower leaves of indicator plants: strawberries, potatoes, tomatoes, apple trees. In pome crops, the leaves become smaller and narrow, losing their rich green color. Orange and red dots appear on the pale green young leaves, they soon turn yellow and fall off.

Many plants are particularly sensitive to nitrogen deficiency in the spring. In particular, roses show slow growth of shoots, flowering weakens, the wood of the stems does not ripen well, and poor mustache formation is noted in strawberries. Trees with nitrogen starvation weakly branch, their shoots are shortened, winter hardiness decreases, the fruits become smaller and crumble.

Young apple leaves with a lack of nitrogen do not reach normal sizes, their petioles depart from the shoot at an acute angle, in addition, a small number of fruit buds are laid. Nitrogen deficiency in stone fruits is manifested in the form of reddening of the bark of branches.

Nitrogen starvation can be aggravated by an increase in the acidity of the soil and the turfing of its surface under fruit trees.

With an excess of nitrogen, the foliage becomes dark green in color, the plants begin to grow violently, but the stems become soft, and few flowers form. An excess of nitrogen fertilizers leads to the development of chlorosis between the veins and along the edges of the leaves, brown necrotic spots appear on them, the ends are twisted. In addition, affected crops are easily affected by fungal diseases.

How is phosphorus deficiency manifested?

The lack of phosphorus is most pronounced on the older lower leaves of indicator plants: peaches, apple trees, strawberries, black currants and tomatoes.

The leaves of the affected crops are dull, dark green in color, with a red, purple or bronze sheen. Along their edges, as well as near the petioles and veins, red and purple-brown stripes and spots may appear.

Stems, petioles and leaf veins also acquire a purple color.

The leaves become smaller, become narrow, move away from the shoots at an acute angle, dry up and fall off, while the drying leaves darken, sometimes even turn black. Flowering and fruit ripening is delayed. Plants lose their decorative effect.

The growth of shoots slows down, they bend and weaken, often the apical bud dies off. The root system develops poorly, root growth is also delayed. In general, winter hardiness decreases in plants.

Symptoms of phosphorus starvation of plants are most often observed on acidic light soils with a low content of organic matter. Moreover, mature fruit trees do not show signs of phosphorus deficiency for several years, giving away the stocks of this element accumulated in the old parts of the tree to young branches and shoots.

An excess of phosphorus leads to soil salinization and manganese deficiency. In addition, the plant loses the ability to absorb iron and copper, as a result of which their metabolism is disturbed. As a result, the leaves become smaller, grow dull, curl up and become covered with growths, and the stems harden.

How is potassium deficiency manifested?

A sign of potassium deficiency is more pronounced in the middle of the growing season on the lower leaves of indicator plants: apple trees, pears, peaches, plums, strawberries, raspberries, currants, tomatoes and beets.

Potassium deficiency symptoms first appear as blanching of the leaves, which become a dull, bluish-green color. Uneven growth of leaf blades is observed, they wrinkle, curliness is sometimes noted, their edges go down.

The leaves turn yellow starting at the top, but the veins remain green for a while. Gradually, they turn completely yellow and acquire a reddish-purple color, for example, blackcurrant leaves with a lack of potassium become purple with a marginal burn, and then simply dry out.

The culture becomes stunted with short internodes, the shoots grow thin and weak. With a slight lack of potassium, an excessive amount of small fruit buds is sometimes laid on the trees. During the flowering period, such a plant will be completely strewn with flowers, but very small fruits will develop from them. In addition, perennials and fruit trees lose their winter hardiness due to the deficiency of this element.

Young rose leaves also acquire a reddish tint, their edges turn brown, and the flowers become small. This problem is often noted in roses growing on sandy and peaty soils, where they lack potassium. First, the lower leaves die off, then the process passes to the young leaves, which turn black. If no further measures are taken to save the plant, then the stems die off.

Signs of potassium starvation can be most pronounced on soils with a high level of acidity, as well as in those areas where excessive doses of calcium and magnesium have been added to the soil.

Excess potassium causes a delay in the development of crops. The leaves of a plant overfed with potassium become light green in color, spots appear on them, growth slows down, and then they wither and fall off.

How is calcium deficiency manifested?

Plants need calcium for the normal development of the aerial parts and root growth; in nature, it is found in the form of limestone, chalk, and other compounds. The sign of calcium deficiency is most pronounced on the lower leaves, as well as at the beginning of the growing season on young tissues of the tops of the shoots of indicator plants: cherry plums, cherries, hazels, cherries, plums, apple trees, strawberries, gooseberries, currants, cucumbers and cabbage.

Calcium deficiency is expressed in a change in the color of young leaves, which turn white and twist up, and sometimes take on a ragged appearance. At the same time, the stems and leaves themselves are weakened, growth points, peduncles and shoot tips may die off, leaves and ovaries fall off. The shoots thicken, but the growth of the plant and the formation of new buds in general slows down. The root system also develops poorly, as root growth is delayed. Stone fruits do not form pits, while nuts do not form shells.

Calcium deficiency symptoms can appear in soils with excess potassium.

With an excess of calcium, the shells of nuts and the seeds of cherries and plums thicken, the leaves may turn yellow, as the plant ceases to absorb iron. These signs also sometimes appear on potassium-poor soils.

How iron deficiency manifests itself

Symptoms of iron deficiency are most pronounced on young leaves and tops of shoots of indicator plants: cherries, pears, plums, apple trees. The deficiency of this element is indicated by yellowing and partial or complete discoloration of the leaves (chlorosis). However, sometimes pale leaves indicate an excess of calcium in the soil.

Yellowing of leaves on fruit trees and berry bushes begins at the edges, while young leaves suffer more than others. At the same time, a narrow green strip still remains around the veins, but as chlorosis progresses, small veins also become discolored. Then the leaf becomes almost white or acquires a white-cream color. Then its edges die off, and gradually all the tissues, and as a result, the leaf falls off prematurely.

In plants weakened by chlorosis, growth slows down, the tops of trees can dry out, fruits become smaller, and the yield is sharply reduced.

Very often, plants experience a lack of iron in neutral, alkaline and calcium-rich soils. This phenomenon is also observed with excessive liming of the soil, when the iron contained in it is bound, which can cause chlorosis.

How magnesium deficiency manifests itself

The trait is most pronounced on older lower leaves in the middle of the growing season (especially during drought) of indicator plants: apple trees, potatoes and tomatoes. It is expressed in the development of interveinal chlorosis of leaves, the color of which resembles a "herringbone".

First, discolored spots appear on old, and then on young leaves in mid-summer. The leaf blades themselves turn yellow, red, or purple as dead dark red areas appear between the veins and reddish-yellow dying zones. At the same time, the edges of the leaves and veins remain green for some time. Leaf fall begins ahead of schedule, from the bottom of the plant.

Sometimes, due to a lack of magnesium, a pattern appears on the leaves that is similar to the symptoms of mosaic disease. Often the deficiency of this element leads to a decrease in winter hardiness and freezing of plants.

Most clearly, the symptoms of magnesium deficiency are detected on light acidic soils. Often this problem is exacerbated by the constant application of potash fertilizers. If, on the contrary, there are too many magnesium compounds in the soil, then the roots of plants do not absorb potassium well.

How is boron deficiency manifested?

Boron speeds up the germination of pollen, affects the development of ovaries, seeds and fruits. Its sufficient content in plant nutrition contributes to the influx of sugars to growth points, flowers, roots and ovaries.

Signs of boron deficiency most often appear on younger parts of indicator plants: apple trees, raspberries, tomatoes, and beets. These symptoms are especially pronounced during a drought.

Lack of boron affects the growth point of young shoots - with prolonged boron starvation, it simply dies off. Often there is a slowdown in the development of apical buds with increased growth of the lateral ones.

Chlorosis of young leaves develops: light green ones become smaller, their edges are bent upwards, gradually the plates are twisted. In young leaves, the veins turn yellow, later marginal and apical necrosis appears on them.

With a lack of boron, the growth of the entire plant is inhibited. On the shoots, small areas of the bark die off, dry tops are observed (the tops of the shoots die off), weak flowering and fruit set, while the latter acquire an ugly shape.

The tissue of pome fruits in its structure begins to resemble a cork, the pulp of apples hardens, the vitreous heads are revealed in cauliflower, and the core rots in beets. Most often, boron starvation of plants can be observed on calcareous soils. Excessive application of boron-containing fertilizers accelerates the ripening of fruits, but at the same time their keeping quality suffers.

How does manganese deficiency manifest itself?

Signs of a lack of manganese in the soil are primarily manifested at the base of the upper leaves of indicator plants: potatoes, cabbage and beets.

As with magnesium starvation, white, light green and red spots appear, but not on the lower, but on the upper young leaves.

In affected plants, interveinal chlorosis develops - the leaves turn yellow between the veins from the edge to the center, forming patches in the form of a tongue. At the same time, the leaf veins can remain green for a long time, a green rim forms around them. Sometimes a lack of manganese causes brown leaf spot.

❧ The application of organic fertilizers increases the content of nutrients in the soil, contributes to the regulation of biological processes and activates the activity of soil microorganisms.

How copper deficiency manifests itself

Signs of copper deficiency are most pronounced on the young parts of indicator plants: plums, apple trees, lettuce and spinach. These signs are especially pronounced during drought.

In affected plants, growth retardation is observed, the apical bud dies off, and at the same time, lateral buds awaken, as a result of which rosettes of small leaves appear on the tops of the shoots.

The tips of the leaves turn white, and their plates become variegated. Sluggish and inconspicuous, they become pale green with brown spots, but without yellowing, and the leaf veins stand out sharply against this background. Young leaves lose turgor (internal pressure of the membranes of living cells) and wither. If there is an excess of copper in the soil, then the plants begin to suffer from iron deficiency.

How does a lack of molybdenum manifest itself?

More often than others, cauliflower, which is grown on acidic sandy (less often clayey) soils, experiences a lack of molybdenum. This symptom is more pronounced when physiologically acidic fertilizers are used. Therefore, it is better to refuse to grow seedlings on excessively acidic peat.

Symptoms of starvation are manifested in the death of the growing point, the fall of buds and flowers. The leaf blades cannot develop to the end, the cauliflower head does not tie, old leaves take on a color, as in chlorosis. In the later stages of development, a lack of molybdenum in cauliflower causes deformation of young leaves. The resistance of early varieties to this problem is much weaker compared to late varieties.

Most often, the lack of molybdenum manifests itself on waterlogged soils, in a cold or dry period and with an excess of nitrogen.

How is sulfur deficiency manifested?

Sulfur affects the redox processes in plant tissues and promotes the dissolution of mineral compounds from the soil.

With a lack of sulfur, the leaves become light green in color, and the veins on the leaves become even lighter. Then red spots of dying tissues appear on them.

How zinc deficiency manifests itself

Signs of zinc deficiency usually appear on old leaves (especially in spring) of indicator plants: cherries, peaches, sweet cherries, pears, plums, apple trees, tomatoes, pumpkins and beans.

Zinc deficiency usually occurs in nitrogen-rich soils. Symptoms first appear on the leaves, which become small, wrinkled, narrow and mottled due to interveinal chlorosis. The green color remains only along the veins. Often, dead areas appear on the leaf along the edges and between the veins.

Branches with short internodes, shoots thin, short and brittle, prone to the formation of rosettes at their tops. Small and ugly fruits are covered with a thick skin. Brown spots appear in the pulp of stone fruits.

Indicator plants growing in the garden help the gardener to determine the content of certain nutrients in the soil. You just need to carefully look at those crops that grow in a garden or vegetable garden: by their appearance they will tell you exactly what needs to be done to cultivate the soil.

If nettles and stinging nettles, raspberries, black elderberries or black currants grow abundantly on the site, then the soil is rich in nitrogen. Whereas the presence in the garden of dark-colored clover, gorse or round-leaved sundew indicates a lack of this element.

An excess of calcium in the soil is indicated by the active growth of plants such as the lady's slipper, sunflower or steppe aster. If its deficiency is observed, then white-bearded protruding, heathers, two-leaved mink, bracken and dog violet grow well on it.

According to the set of plants on the site, it is possible to determine the general condition of the soil in terms of the presence of nutrients in it. So, if the soil contains nutrients in large quantities, then black henbane, narrow-leaved fireweed, reviving moonwort, obscure lungwort and bittersweet nightshade grow abundantly on it.

Those places where the warty euonymus, buttercup anemone, marsh marigold, European bathing suit, medium clover, strawberries, white cinquefoil, fern and drooping tarry grow, are distinguished by an average nutrient content.

On poor soils, plants such as lingonberries, heather, plowed clover, cranberries, lichens, blueberries, small sorrel and hairy hawk grow.

HOW TO DEFINE WHAT THE PLANT LACKS?

HOW TO DEFINE WHAT THE PLANT LACKS?
Tags: Fertilizers
I found a hint for myself. Often I look and do not know what is happening with my plant.
print version

By the appearance of plants, one can judge a lack of nutrients. Signs of a lack of nutrients in plants: nitrogen - pale green color of the lower leaves, leaves are small, the stem is thin, fragile; phosphorus - dark green, bluish color of leaves, growth slows down, death of leaves increases, flowering and ripening are delayed; potassium - yellowing, twisting the edges of the leaves to the bottom; magnesium - clarification of leaves, color change to yellow, red, purple; calcium - necrosis (death) of the edges of the leaves, apical bud, roots; iron - uniform chlorosis between the veins, pale green, yellow color of the leaves without tissue death; boron - the death of apical buds, roots, leaves, falling ovaries.

Here are the basic rules for the use of fertilizers: manure is applied in autumn under potatoes, late cabbage, cucumbers. Humus is added under early cabbage, onions; fertilizers are applied in a crop rotation system. Organic fertilizers are not applied under root crops in autumn; manure and lime cannot be applied at the same time, as the effectiveness of the action decreases; the most effective use is their local application when sowing seeds and planting plants. In this case, the doses are reduced several times.

When dripping, it is important that the fertilizer does not come into contact with the seeds. First, fertilizers are applied, mixing them with the soil, then a 5-7 cm layer of earth is poured and seeds are sown.

When planting seedlings of cabbage, tomatoes, peppers, one or two handfuls of humus and a teaspoon of nitroammophoska should be given in the hole. Ash and nitrogen fertilizers must be applied at different times.

If the soil lacks any element, such as nitrogen, it is necessary to introduce not only nitrogen, but also phosphorus and potassium, but in smaller doses, since they enhance the effect of nitrogen.

Plants especially need nitrogen after heavy rainfall and cooling.

Alternate mineral top dressing with organic: mullein, bird droppings, fermented plant residues. Microfertilizers are used, as a rule, for root dressings in the amount of 3-5g. on a bucket to increase the resistance of plants to adverse factors.

Foliar applications are especially effective in supporting plants during the transition from cloudy to clear weather. This is an "ambulance" to plants.
Source:

Headings:

Liked: 2 users

Fertilizers. If simple mineral fertilizers consist of any one nutrient element, then complex fertilizers contain two or three main nutrients in their composition: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium.
The most common compound fertilizers that can often be found in retail are nitroammophoska, nitrophoska, ammophos and nitrophos. What elements this or that complex fertilizer contains is indicated by the name itself: "nitro" or "ammo" indicate the presence of nitrogen, "phos" - phosphorus, "ka" - potassium. Ammophos contains nitrogen (ammo) and phosphorus (phos), potassium is absent. Nitrophoska contains nitrogen (nitro), phosphorus (phos), potassium (ka).
Basic complex fertilizers and their properties
Ammophos. Phosphorus-nitrogen fertilizer, contains 12% of the active substance of nitrogen and 40-50% (depending on the variety) of the active substance of phosphorus. It is used in the main gas station for all crops, but more often in greenhouses. With a large lack of phosphorus, it can also be used in top dressing. Dose: 20-30 g per 1 sq.m. This fertilizer is rich in phosphorus, so it is better to use it on soils poor in phosphorus, for example, on black soil. During the autumn application for digging the garden, any potash fertilizer must be added to it. It is well dissolved and stored.
Nitroammophoska. Balanced fertilizer for the garden. Produced in the form of light pink granules with a diameter of 2-3 mm. In its composition contains 17% of the active substance nitrogen, 17% phosphorus and 17% potassium. They bring in the fall for digging the garden for any crop. It can be used for spring and summer dressings in small doses, preferably in dissolved form. Approximate rate for continuous application of nitroammophoska: 50-60 g per 1 sq.m of garden. Separately, 300-400 g are applied under a fruit-bearing apple tree, 120-150 g under cherries, 80-100 g currants and gooseberries, 40-50 g per 1 m row of raspberries, 25-30 g strawberries. It dissolves somewhat worse in water than nitrogen and potassium fertilizers, but better than phosphorus.
Nitrophoska. Contains: nitrogen - 11%, phosphorus - 10%, potassium - 11%. The main properties and application are the same as those of nitroammofoska, but it contains nutrients in a slightly smaller composition. It is used more often in the main dressing, less often in dressings, due to the slow effect on plants. They are applied in doses 1.5 times greater than for nitroammophoska: 70-80 g per 1 sq.m. It is well stored, when diluted, it forms a precipitate in the form of an insoluble phosphorus compound.
Nitrophos. Contains 23% active ingredient nitrogen and 17% active ingredient phosphorus. It is used for autumn application for digging the garden, but any potash fertilizer must be added to it. Nitrophos has a good ratio of nitrogen and phosphorus. Therefore, in combination with ash or potassium sulfate, it can also be successfully used for summer dressings.
Diammophos. Contains 46% available phosphoric acid and 18% nitrogen. They are applied to neutral soil in the spring during the main treatment at a dose of 20-30 g per 1 sq.m. Suitable for all vegetable crops.
Potassium saltpeter. Contains 46% potassium oxide and about 14% nitrogen. Apply in the spring, as it contains easily soluble nitrogen. Apply under crops that do not tolerate chlorine.
Crystalline (solvent). Quickly dissolving fertilizer with different content of nitrogen (from 10 to 20%), phosphorus (from 5 to 18%), potassium (from 6 to 20%). It is more expedient to use them only in top dressing, because of the speed of action on crops. Recommended for plant nutrition in protected ground.
Microfertilizers Along with the main nutrients for the development of plants, some elements are needed in small doses. These are trace elements - iron, manganese, zinc, copper, boron, molybdenum. They are found in very small amounts in the soil. In their absence, plants grow and develop poorly. Their shortage can be replenished with microfertilizers, which include zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, boric acid, copper sulfate (copper sulfate), ferrous sulfate (iron sulfate), ammonium molybdate, cobalt nitrate, potassium iodide. Sometimes these fertilizers are produced in a complex form (in tablets). The introduction of negligible amounts of these elements into the soil immediately gives a positive effect. The salts of these elements are taken at the tip of a penknife and dissolved in a bucket of water, which is watered with garden and greenhouse plants, as well as with conventional fertilizers. Used for pre-sowing treatment of seeds, in the main dressing of the soil, seedling soils and in foliar and root dressings.
Basic microfertilizers
Boron-containing. With a lack of boron, growth points die in many plants. Leaves often develop scorching, mottling, and pigmentation, and curl. Foliar top dressing of seedlings of a cauliflower, shoots of a beet, a swede, fruit and berry plants is applied. Dose: 2 g per 10 liters of water. Most effective on peat and sod-podzolic soils.
copper fertilizers. They are used in the form of ground pyrite (pyrite) cinders and copper sulphate. With a lack of copper, the tips of the leaves turn pale, in fruit crops, the growth of apical buds stops. Pyrite cinders are applied once every 5-6 years at a dose of 50 g; copper sulfate - 1 g per 1 sq.m. For foliar feeding of vegetative plants, the dose is 1 g of copper sulfate per 10 liters of water. It is recommended to apply on peat bogs where there is little copper content.
Iron. With a lack of iron, leaves (chlorosis), especially young ones, turn yellow prematurely, and shoots die off. Most often, chlorosis is observed on soils rich in calcium. The lack of iron is replenished by spraying the plants with a solution of iron sulfate (5 g per 10 liters of water). Apple trees, pears, plums, raspberries, potatoes, and tomatoes are especially affected by iron deficiency.
manganese fertilizers. Manganese deficiency causes leaf chlorosis. With severe starvation, they completely discolor and only the veins remain green. Apply a 0.1% solution of manganese sulfate in the form of foliar top dressing of peas, beans, beets, as well as pre-sowing treatment of seeds. Used in calcareous soils.
Zinc fertilizers. Applied in the form of zinc sulfate. Zinc sulfate is applied to the soil at the rate of 1 g per 1 sq.m.

Sometimes it happens that the vegetables in the garden begin to lag behind in growth, the leaves change color, and the fruits are poorly tied or take on an ugly shape. The thought immediately comes - an infection, how and with what to treat. However, take your time. Perhaps non-communicable diseases have settled in your beds. They appear either due to insufficient care and violation of the requirements for their cultivation, or under the negative influence of the environment.

How to determine the lack of nutrition in a plant

It is possible to determine whether plants have enough nutrients by their appearance.

• The lack of nutrients is immediately reflected in the leaves - their shape, size and color.
• On the other hand, violation of the norms of fertilization adversely affects the physiology of plants and leads to the accumulation of hazardous substances.

Of course, it is difficult to immediately determine how much and what fertilizers need to be applied to the garden.

1. It would be nice to know the composition of the soil in your area by the ratio of nutrients, as well as determine the acidity of the soil.
2. It will depend on this what and in what quantity you will bring under the plants in the fall, spring or as top dressing in the summer.

Table: The content of plant nutrients in organic fertilizers of the BIO MARE trademark.

BIO FISH

BIO ALGO

BIO FLORA

BIO MIX

Application:

0.005 ml/1 l of water and 50 ml/10 l water

Photo: BIO MARE trademark organic fertilizers with a high content of elementsnutrition for plants.

Table 1. Signs of nutritional deficiencies in plants

How to eliminate the lack of nutrition in plants?

If you find any signs of mineral starvation in plants, you need to make up for the lack of nutrients. For these purposes, root dressing with the missing element is well suited.

Apply fertilizer at the following dosage:
- nitrogen 1-3 g per 1 m²,
- phosphorus 1-2 g per 1 m²,
- potassium 1 g per 1 m².

Table 2. Types of mineral fertilizers

Signs of a micronutrient deficiency

In addition to the main nutrients, there may be a lack of trace elements. Here, the attitude towards these elements is quite selective in different cultures.

If plants lack boron

It is difficult to get a good harvest of cauliflower, tomatoes, beets during boron starvation.

• The first sign of this problem is the death of the growth point. Plants cease to grow normally, bush, the yield decreases, the fruits take on an ugly appearance.
• In beets, this disease is called heart rot.

Top dressing with a solution of boric acid will help change the situation.

If plants lack iron

The culprit for the manifestation of these signs may be a lack of iron:

• The disappearance of the green color of the leaves (chlorosis), primarily between the veins of the leaf, leads to a decrease in the processes of photosynthesis.
• The plant lags behind in development, growth stops.

The presence of this element during the period of growth and fruiting of plants is especially important.

If plants lack manganese

Beets, potatoes, cabbage more often than others can react to the absence or lack of manganese:

• manifests itself most often in the appearance of small yellowish spots on the leaves, gradually spreading to the entire leaf, leaving only the veins green.

If plants lack copper

Vegetable crops are often susceptible to copper starvation:

• may cause a partial change, to a lighter one, in the color of the leaves and their wilting,
• stunted growth of plants, fruits and seeds are slowly formed in them.

As you know, in order for plants to grow and develop well, they need food. And the diet should include not just anything, but certain substances. They are usually divided into several groups.

The first of these includes elements that make up about 98% of the weight of the entire plant. These are macroelements - oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron.

The second group is the so-called trace elements. Their content is small - sometimes a ten thousandth of a percent. Micronutrients include, for example, boron, copper and zinc.

Nutrients and their effect on plants

Macronutrients

Nitrogen (N)

Nitrogen is the most important element in the structure of the plant - not a single cell can do without it. It participates in the processes of respiratory metabolism, photosynthesis, and in addition, it also influences the "procreation", since it is part of the nucleic acids - carriers of heredity.

Since nitrogen is an integral part of chlorophyll, signs of a lack of this element can be easily seen. If the old leaves of the plant have turned light green, there is a nitrogen deficiency. In the future, they will begin to turn yellow and die. Young shoots also do not feel the best - they are weak and thin, they do not grow well. It is worth noting that signs of nitrogen starvation are permissible during the development of flowers, because the reserves of nitrogen and carbohydrates are not unlimited and are simply exhausted.

If nitrogen is in excess, then this is also easy to notice - the foliage becomes dark green. This "bell" also forces to take action. In this state, the plant acutely perceives the dryness of the air and can “pick up” some kind of disease.

Sulfur (S)

A plant cannot do without sulfur either. It is part of proteins and amino acids, and also plays an important role in the process of photosynthesis. This is due to the fact that the element is an integral component of enzymes that ensure the absorption of oxygen and the release of carbon dioxide.

There is sulfur in the cell sap - in the form of a sulfate ion. And then she can do trouble. With a lack of oxygen, all sulfur-containing compounds decompose, releasing hydrogen sulfide, and it is detrimental to the root.

If there is too much sulfur, then the leaves of the plant will quickly fall off.

Potassium (K)

The bulk of potassium is present in the cell sap. This element thins the plasma, and also promotes the synthesis of starch, sucrose, proteins and fats.

As in the case of other important elements, potassium deficiency first of all is reflected in old leaves. They turn yellow, become scorched at the edges, in some places dead areas appear, which gradually grow. In addition, the stems become brittle, the tops of the leaves turn white, old leaves turn red and curl. Plants grow slowly and do not reach large sizes. It is believed that the main reason for small crops is just the same lack of potassium.

Phosphorus (P)

The importance of phosphorus for a plant is also difficult to overestimate. This element is part of the nucleoproteins - the components of the plasma and nucleus. It also plays an important role in the origin of surface cell membranes; a number of enzymes and many physiologically active compounds cannot do without it. Phosphorus takes an active part in the processes of glycolysis, aerobic respiration and photosynthesis.

Dull dark green or even blue-green spots on the leaves, dark green veins are signs of phosphorus starvation. If the situation is not corrected in time, then the cuttings and old leaves will turn purple, and dead areas will appear on the edges. Phosphorus deficiency occurs most often when the pH is above 7 or below 5.5.

In turn, if phosphorus is in excess, then this will negatively affect other elements. Oversaturation will lead to deficiency of iron and zinc.

Calcium (Ca)

Not only the human body can not do without calcium. This element is essential for the plant. Calcium is contained in the cell sap, neutralizing the excess of organic acids formed. Also, calcium is in the plasma, where it is a kind of opponent of potassium. As part of the nuclear substance, this substance plays an important role in the process of cell division, and in addition, in the formation of the cell membrane.

Young plants are more susceptible to calcium deficiency. The following symptoms will tell about this problem: leaves wither, edges and new shoots turn root and die. In addition, deformation of the roots and leaves, white stripes on them are possible.

Excess calcium in young plants slows down growth, makes it difficult to absorb potassium and magnesium.

Magnesium (Mg)

Magnesium is part of chlorophyll, plays an important role in respiratory metabolism, and provides various syntheses.

If magnesium is deficient, then this will appear on the old and lower leaves. The edges will suffer first, then the central region. The edges turn white (or turn yellow), while the main and secondary veins, meanwhile, remain green. Sometimes the tips of the leaves curl up, and chlorosis mottle affects young leaves. Yellow spots turn into dead areas, sometimes the leaves completely fall off. In addition, magnesium deficiency will also affect the buds of plants. They are formed in insufficient quantities and develop inferiorly.

If magnesium is in excess, then this does not have the best effect on the absorption of potassium and calcium.

Iron (Fe)

Iron deficiency is most pronounced in plants grown indoors. At the beginning, chlorosis of young leaves is observed. In this case, the affected leaves become smaller in size than healthy ones. If the case is severe, then the plant lacks chlorophyll. As a result, dead zones appear on young leaves, forming a yellow stripe all over the leaf.

trace elements

Bor (B)

It helps cells produce amino acids, seeds, pollen, synthesize carbohydrates by participating in the transfer of sugar, and also plays an important role in the process of respiration and growth. Its deficiency in appearance resembles a lack of calcium and is reflected in young leaves - they turn yellow, then die off. Small brown dots may also form, which grow rapidly. Stems are hollow, brittle, cracked.

Copper (Cu)

It activates enzymes important for the process of photosynthesis, participates in the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates. With a lack of this trace element, young shoots die, growth slows down, the leaves become pale green, withered along the edge. The upper leaves weaken, undergo chlorosis, shrink. An excess of copper is even more dangerous than its deficiency, as it is fatal to cells. In this case, iron chlorosis may develop, the growth of the root system will stop.

Zinc (Zn)

Necessary for plant development, since it controls the consumption of carbohydrates, it is important in the production of chlorophyll. In addition, it is involved in the process of ensuring hormonal balance and electron transport. Zinc deficiency is similar to iron and manganese deficiency and appears suddenly. Gray-brown spots appear on the leaves of the middle shoots, which soon spread everywhere. An excess of zinc is toxic for a plant, it can lead to its death.

Molybdenum (Mo)

Another important participant in the full development of the plant. Its deficiency at an early stage manifests itself on old leaves and is characterized by signs of chlorosis. The edges of the leaves fade, twist, yellow spots appear on the inside.

Manganese (Mn)

Participates in photosynthesis, enters the structure of the plant, increases the efficiency of respiration, oxidizes iron. If there is not enough manganese, then this leads to the accumulation of iron in the ferrous form, and this is a poison for plant tissue. To avoid this, you need to give four times more iron than manganese, which is beneficial for the plant.

Ready fertilizers for hydroponics

But you will not need to think about the deficiency or excess of certain elements, look for symptoms and changes in the appearance of the plant, if you use ready-made fertilizers for hydroponics. This is a great option for those who do not have special knowledge, they can confuse the signs, calculate the formula incorrectly and thereby aggravate the situation.

When buying ready-made fertilizer, carefully read the label - there will be all the information on the composition. In almost all fertilizers, you can see the NPK formula - the English abbreviation for the elements Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, which are the main macronutrients. So, for example, in the Flora series fertilizer called Flora Micro, the NPK formula is as follows: "5-0-1". The numbers are the percentage of the named substances in the fertilizer.

If you feed your plants, while observing the measure, your efforts will certainly be rewarded in the form of an excellent harvest!

Symptomsdeficiencies in the mineral nutrition of plantsdivided into two large groups:

I. The first group consists mainly of symptoms that appear on the old leaves of the plant. These include symptoms of a lack of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium. Obviously, when these elements are deficient, they move in the plant from older parts to young growing parts, on which signs of starvation do not develop.

II. The second group consists of symptoms that appear on growth points and young leaves. Symptoms of this group are characteristic of a lack of calcium, boron, sulfur, iron, copper and manganese. These elements do not seem to be able to move from one part of the plant to another. Consequently, if there is not enough of these elements in the water and soil, then the young growing parts do not receive the necessary nutrition, as a result of which they fall ill and die.
When starting to determine the cause of malnutrition of plants, one should first of all pay attention to which part of the plant anomalies appear, thus determining the group of symptoms. The symptoms of the first group, which are found mainly on old leaves, can be divided into two subgroups:

1) more or less common, affecting the entire leaf (lack of nitrogen and phosphorus);

2) or be only local in nature (lack of magnesium and potassium).

The second group of symptoms, which appear on young leaves or growing points of a plant, can be divided into three subgroups, which are characterized by:

1) the appearance of chlorosis, or the loss of green color by young leaves without the subsequent death of the apical bud, which indicates a lack of iron, sulfur or manganese;

2) the death of the apical bud, accompanied by the loss of its green color by the leaves, which indicates a lack of calcium or boron;

3) constant wilting of the upper leaves, which indicates a lack of copper.
By the appearance of plants, one can judge a lack of nutrients.

Signs of nutrient deficiencies in plants:

nitrogen- pale green color of the lower leaves, the leaves are small, the stem is thin, fragile, yellowing and blanching of the leaf begins with the veins and adjacent areas, there are no green veins on the leaf yellowed from a lack of nitrogen; acidic soils can increase nitrogen starvation.

dark green, bluish color of leaves, growth slows down, death of leaves intensifies, flowering and maturation are delayed, with severe starvation, brown or red-brown spots appear that turn into holes; most often found on light acidic soils with a low content of organic matter.

potassium- yellowing, browning of the tips of the leaf, twisting the edges of the leaves to the bottom, brown spotting develops, especially along the edge of the leaf, the veins seem to be immersed in the leaf tissue; signs of potassium starvation are pronounced on strongly acidic soils and with excessive application of calcium and magnesium.

magnesium- lightening of the leaves, spots of white, pale yellow color appear between the veins, a change in color to yellow, red, purple, while the veins and adjacent parts remain green, the tip of the leaf and the edges are bent, wrinkled, the leaf acquires a curved shape; manifests itself clearly on light acidic soils and with excessive application of potassium.

necrosis (death) of the edges of the leaves, apical bud, roots, leaves are chlorotic, twisted, their edges twist upwards, leaves are irregular in shape, the edges may have brown scorching; Deficiency is often associated with excess potassium intake.

uniform chlorosis between the veins, pale green, yellow color of the leaves without tissue death; most often occurs with excessive liming of the soil.

death of apical buds, roots, leaves, falling of ovaries, young leaves are small, pale, strongly deformed;
growth retardation, death of the top of the shoot, awakening of the lateral buds. The leaves are variegated, pale green with brown spots, lethargic, ugly.

chlorosis between the veins of the leaf - yellowish-green or yellowish-brown spots appear on the upper leaves between the veins, the veins remain green, which gives the leaf a variegated appearance. In the future, areas of chlorosis tissues die off, and spots of various shapes and colors appear. Deficiency symptoms appear primarily on young leaves and primarily at the base of the leaves, and not at the tips, as with a lack of potassium.

sulfur- slowing down the growth of stems in thickness, in a pale green color of the leaves without tissue death. Signs of sulfur deficiency are similar to those of nitrogen deficiency, they appear primarily on young plants.

small, wrinkled, narrow leaves, speckled due to interveinal chlorosis, shoots are thin, short, "rosette" is characteristic, branches with short internodes.

a structural component of an enzyme (enzyme) that reduces nitrate to ammonia. Without this, protein synthesis is blocked and plant growth stops. Seeds cannot fully develop, and nitrogen deficiency can occur if plants lack molybdenum. Molybdenum is the only micronutrient whose absorption increases with increasing pH.

Deficiency symptoms: Pale green leaves with curled or folded edges. Due to the intensity of the interactions, toxic symptoms usually manifest as deficiencies in other nutrients (usually Cu).

If there is a lack of any element in the soil or in the hydroponic solution, for example, nitrogen, it is necessary to add not only nitrogen, but also phosphorus and potassium, but in smaller doses, since they enhance the effect of nitrogen.
Plants especially need nitrogen after heavy rainfall and cooling.
Alternate mineral top dressing with organic: mullein, bird droppings, fermented plant residues. Microfertilizers are used, as a rule, for root dressings in the amount of 3-5g. on a bucket to increase the resistance of plants to adverse factors (for soil).
Foliar applications are especially effective in supporting plants during the transition from cloudy to clear weather. This is an "ambulance" to plants.

But dangerous not only micronutrient deficiencies, but also their excess, so with an excess of nitrogen - the leaves become dark green, large and juicy, flowering (and fruit ripening in lemon, orange, etc.) is delayed. In succulent plants (eg cacti, aloe, etc.), excess nitrogen causes thinning of the skin, which bursts, causing the plant to die or leave ugly scars.
With an excess of phosphorus, which is quite rare, the absorption of iron and zinc is disturbed in the plant - interveinal chlorosis appears on the leaves.
With an excess of potassium, growth retardation can also be noted. The leaves at the same time acquire a darker shade, and the new leaves become smaller. Excess potassium leads to difficulty in the absorption of elements such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, boron, etc.
With an excess of sulfur, the leaves gradually turn yellow from the edges and shrink, tucking inward. Then they turn brown and die. Sometimes the leaves do not take on yellow, but a lilac-brown hue.
An excess of calcium leads to a violation of the absorption of the same elements, respectively - nitrogen, potassium, as well as boron and iron. What manifests itself as interveinal chlorosis of the leaves and the appearance of light shapeless spots of dying leaf tissues.

With an excess of magnesium, the roots of the plant begin to die off, the plant ceases to absorb calcium, and symptoms occur that are characteristic of calcium deficiency.
Excess iron is quite rare, and the growth of the root system and the whole plant stops. The leaves take on a darker shade. If, for some reason, the excess of iron turned out to be very strong, then the leaves begin to die and crumble without any visible changes. With an excess of iron, the absorption of phosphorus and manganese is difficult, so signs of a lack of these elements may also appear.
Excess boron starts from the old lower leaves. At the same time, small brown spots appear on the leaves, gradually increasing and leading to the death of leaf tissues.
An excess of manganese, in contrast to its deficiency, manifests itself more often on acidic soils. As a result of an excess of manganese, the content of chlorophyll in plant cells decreases, therefore, in this case, the symptoms will be the same as with a lack of magnesium, i.e. interveinal chlorosis begins, primarily from old leaves, brown necrotic spots appear. Leaves shrivel and fall off.
Excess copper is also extremely harmful to the plant. It manifests itself in the fact that the plant is inhibited in development, brown spots appear on the leaves, and they die. The process begins with the lower older leaves.
An excess of molybdenum leads to a violation of the absorption of copper, with corresponding signs of a lack of this element.
Signs of an excess of minerals are as follows:
- drooping leaves;
- White crust on the surface of the soil and the outer wall of the ceramic pot;
- Dry brown spots on the leaves, dry edges of the leaves;
- In summer, the growth of the plant stops, and in winter you can see weak, elongated stems.

Similar symptoms of malnutrition
The lack of nitrogen at the initial stage, when the old lower leaves begin to turn yellow, looks very similar to the signs of a lack of lighting in the autumn-winter time, which also manifests itself in the yellowing of the lower old leaves.
The lack of nitrogen in some plants leads to the formation of an anthocyanin substance in the leaves, causing the leaf to turn reddish. When affected by some types of mites, reddening of the leaves may also appear along with their deformation (twisting).
A lack of potassium, manifested in the withering of the leaves, when they lighten and dry from the edges, can be mistaken for a violation in watering and exposure to too dry air.
The lack of copper, which manifests itself in the loss of turgor by plant tissues, twisting of leaves, is quite similar to the fact that the plant was overdried, watered insufficiently, and possibly kept in a bright, hot place.

Article source: website Grow Plants Company- advanced technologies in crop production.