Physiological Plant Disorders - Nutrient Deficiencies

Nutrient Deficiencies

Poor growth and a variety of complaints such as leaf discolouration (chlorosis) can be caused by a lack of plant foods. This may be due to shortages of necessary nutrients, or because the nutrients are present but not available to the plant. The latter can be caused by incorrect pH, shortages of water or an excess of another nutrient. Generally, the key to avoiding nutrient deficiencies is to ensure that the soil is healthy and contains plenty of well rotted organic matter rather than by feeding or treating individual plants.

Nutrient (or mineral) deficiencies include:

• Boron deficiency
• Calcium deficiency
• Iron deficiency
• Magnesium deficiency
• Manganese deficiency
• Nitrogen deficiency
• Phosphorus deficiency
• Potassium deficiency
• Shortage of trace elements such as molybdenum can also cause disorders such as whiptail in cauliflower.