Symptoms are similar to nitrogen deficiency with the addition that leaf edges may die. Molybdenum’s function is to enable the fixation of nitrogen in legumes and its utilisation in other plants. Excess molybdenum is as harmful as molybdenum deficiency. Molybdenum is only required in minute amounts, 50 grams per hectare is sufficient for most crops. Excess in the soil will probably be due to industrial contamination. Normal additions of composts and manures will resolve deficiency problems. The following micro-nutrients are rarely lacking and analysis and remedy are professional jobs. Susceptible crops include peas and beets.Īdding sulphur to the soil, which will increase the acidity (decreasing pH) will solve the problem. Symptoms are similar to iron deficiency and can be confirmed by laboratory analysis of the leaf. Manganese deficiency is often caused by over liming and is most often found on peaty and sandy soils with a high pH. Generally not something the home grower needs to concern himself with but should you suspect you have it then use sulphate of iron fertilizer on a test patch.ĭo keep in mind that too much iron is more of a problem as it locks up the potassium and phosphorus in the soil making it unavailable to the plants. It is fortunately rare but unfortunately hard to both diagnose or determine by laboratory analysis. Iron deficiency causes yellowing of the leaves and a general lack of vigour. Iron is needed for chlorophyll production, which is what the green colour in leaves is. In plants it causes reduced growth, yellowing of the foliage, and stunted root development Iron (Fe) Usually the single use of a copper sulphate based fungicide (Bordeaux mixture) will re-stock the soil for as long as you are likely to grow on it.Įxcess copper is very toxic to plants and to people. Once again it requires professional analysis to confirm and to determine a proper course of action to rectify. Copper (Cu)Ĭopper deficiency is rare but can occur on sandy, peaty and chalky soils with their high pH levels. For garden growers who are unlikely to want to pay for professional testing and recommendations the best advice is to avoid over use of magnesium sulphate, rotate and use plenty of home made compost. Turnips – Hollow centre or brown heart, watery areas.Īdding borax to the soil will correct the deficiency but borax is also a herbicide.Tomatoes – Thickened leaves, brittle leaves, fruit fails to set.Sweet Corn – Short, bent cobs, barren ears, blank stalks, poor kernel development, elongated, watery or transparent stripes later becoming white on newly formed leaves, dead growing points.Upon cutting, they have soft, watery areas, often called “brown-heart.” Swede – Roots are tough, fibrous and bitter.Radish – Pale roots, brittle stems, watery flesh and flecked colouration.Lettuce – Stunted growth, discolouration of leaves, brittle.Celery – Stem cracked and striped brown, heart blackened.Cauliflower – Leaves curled, hollow stem, curds dwarfed, brown.Carrots – Reddening of leaves and root splitting.Cabbage – Hollow stem, watery areas, heads hollow, plants stunted.Broccoli – Hollow stems, internal discoloration, brown curds.It is more likely in soils with pH above 6.5.Ĭonfirming boron deficiency is a job for laboratory analysis but some indicators are: The symptoms of boron deficiency are poor development of the growing tip of the plant. Excess use of magnesium sulphate will also cause a boron imbalance. Boron (B)īoron is necessary for calcium to perform its functions in the plant but too much boron is also harmful to the plant. Luckily for us, most of these deficiencies are very rare and rotation, use of compost and manures will cure them. With iron deficiency, even laboratory analysis is difficult. Identifying micro nutrient deficiencies is difficult even for experts and usually requires laboratory analysis. They are known as micro-nutrients because of the tiny amounts found in normal soils.įor the average home vegetable grower micro nutrients are an academic rather than a practical subject. These are elements that are vital to plant growth but are only required in minute amounts, very much like vitamins in human diets.
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