ssawg 2015 d joe kemble - identification and better management of plant nutrient disorders

Identification and Better

Management of Plant

Nutrient DisordersJoe Kemble

Extension Vegetable Specialist

Auburn University/Alabama

Extension

Key TO Success BALANCE

PREVENTION

BALANCE

DO EVERYTHING

NEEDED TO BE

SUCCESSFUL

SHORT CUTS ARE

COSTLY

DIAGNOSIS

SAMPLING, TESTING, SCOUTING

IDENTIFICATION

ENVIRONMENT

TREATMENT


PREVENTION

Soil Test

Most nutrients from Organic Materials are not

readily available

Very slowly to slowly available to plants compared to

inorganic sources. Takes time to break down into a

form the plants can use (months not days)

Soil pH might Critical for break down

Apply to a manure first (that is acidic) to enhance break

down

Status for

Organic

Production

Nutrients (percent)Relative

Availability

N P2O5 K20

Greensand Allowable 0% 1.35% 4.0 to 9.5% Very slow

Rock phosphate Allowable 0% 20.0 to 32.0% 0% Very slow

Sodium nitrate Restricted 16% 0% 0% Rapid

Bone Meal Allowable 0.7 to 6.0% 15 to 34% 0% Slow/Slow Medium

Blood Meal Allowable 12.0% 1.5% 0.57% Slow Medium

Poultry Manure Restricted 1.5 to 6.0% 1.0 to 4.0% 0.5 to 3.0% Medium Rapid


PREVENTION

Most OMRI certified materials contain low % of

nutrient(s)

Don’t apply everything all at once

Need to sidedress fast growing veggies

Compost, manures, cover crops, mined materials, non-

synthetics with range of availabilities

Use cover crops and green manure especially

legumes (N2 fixers)

75 to 200 plus lb of N per acre for legumes depending on stage of

growth


Plant Nutrient Disorders rarely look like they do in

text books

Soil test and leaf tissue analysis (foliar testing)

Can be confused with other disorders

Biotic – Fungi, bacteria, viruses

Abiotic – Environmental (temp, %RH), Chemical, Genetic

Large scale problem or isolated?

Soil or soilless media?

Pattern? All plants, some plants, large area, just a few?

DIAGNOSIS


Most nutrients from Organic Materials are not readily

available

rapid to very slow release

Which Nutrient is Problem?

Primary macronutrients, Secondary macronutrients &

Micronutrients

C, H, O (free – from photosynthesis)

N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S

Fe, B, Cu, Mo, Cl, B, Zn, Mn, Ni

Soil application or foliar application?

TREATMENT

Status for

Organic

Production


Availability

N P2O5 K20







Element Form absorbed

Nitrogen N NH4+ (ammonium) and NO3

- (nitrate)

Phosphorus P H2PO4- and HPO4

-2 (orthophosphate)

Potassium K K+

Sulfur S SO4-2 (sulfate)

Calcium Ca Ca+2

Magnesium Mg Mg+2

Iron Fe Fe+2 (ferrous) and Fe+3 (ferric)

Zinc Zn Zn+2

Manganese Mn Mn+2

Molybdenum Mo MoO4-2 (molybdate)

Copper Cu Cu+2

Boron B H3BO3 (boric acid) and H2BO3- (borate)

Forms of Essential Elements Taken up by Plants

Typical Concentrations of Essential Elements Sufficient

for Plant Growth – Foliar Application of Soil??

Element Symbol mg/kg or ppm % dry wgt.

Relative

number

of atoms

Nitrogen N 15,000 1.5 1,000,000

Potassium K 10,000 1.0 250,000

Calcium Ca 5,000 0.5 125,000

Magnesium Mg 2,000 0.2 80,000

Phosphorus P 2,000 0.2 60,000

Sulfur S 1,000 0.1 30,000

Chlorine Cl 100 -- 3,000

Iron Fe 100 -- 2,000

Boron B 20 -- 2,000

Manganese Mn 50 -- 1,000

Zinc Zn 20 -- 300

Copper Cu 6 -- 100

Molybdenum Mo 0.1 -- 1

Nickel Ni 0.1 -- 1

TOP 7 COMMON NUTRITIONAL DISORDERS

Primary Macronutrients

Nitrogen is MOBILE

Phosphorus in MOBILE

Potassium is MOBILE

Secondary Macronutrients

Magnesium is MOBILE

Calcium is IMMOBILE (mostly)

Micronutrients

Boron is IMMOBILE

Iron is IMMOBILE

FIGURING OUT WHAT’S WRONG…

LEAF TISSUE ANALYSIS

SAMPLE FROM “NORMAL” PLANTS AND/OR “BAD”

PLANTS

Need 8 to 10 whole leaves taken from most recently matured,

fully expanded leaves of most vegetable crops

Reveals hidden hunger

Compare level of nutrients in each sample to what is

Sufficiency Range at that point in crop’s development

GOOD PERIODICALLY JUST TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON

10 to 14 days

Keep a Record crop-to-crop and year–to–year

Date

Sampled12/07/2014 01/12/2015

Sufficiency

RangesComments

%Too

Low?

Too

High?

N 4.07 5.18 3.5 - 5.0% NO HIGH

P 0.92 0.76 0.3 - 0.65% NO HIGH

K 3.68 4.67 3.5 - 4.5% NO HIGH

Ca 1.88 1.66 1.0 - 3.0% NO NO

Mg 0.90 0.49 0.35 - 1.0% NO NO

S not reported not reported 0.2% - 1.0 %

ppm

Mn 92 59 25 - 200 ppm NO NO

Fe 213 208 50 - 300 ppm NO NO

B 116 51 30 - 75 ppm NO NO

Cu 36 20 5 - 35 ppm NO NO

Zn 62 58 18 - 80 ppm NO NO

Mo <0.1 2 0.1 - 1.0 ppm NO HIGH

NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES » NITROGEN

NITROGEN IS MOBILE

YELLOWING OF THE OLDER LEAVES.

SYMPTOMS PROGRESS FROM THE

OLDER LEAVES TO YOUNGER

LEAVES.

NITROGEN IS MOBILE

NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES » NITROGEN NITROGEN IS MOBILE

DEFICIENCY: UNIFORM CHLOROSIS OF OLDER

LEAVES; NECROSIS CAN DEVELOP AFTER A LONG

PERIOD; YOUNGEST LEAVES APPEAR GREEN &

HEALTHY; OLDER LEAVES TURN NECROTIC.


PLANTS BECOME “LEGGY”

PURPLING DEVELOPS ON

UNDERSIDES OF YOUNG

LEAVES WHEN SEVERE

FRUIT DO NOT FILL OUT

NITROGEN IS MOBILE

POTENTIAL CAUSES…

LEACHING FROM EXCESSIVE RAINFALL OR

IRRIGATION

MOST OF THE N APPLIED COULD BE IN

THE NO3- FORM, WHICH READILY

LEACHES COMPARED TO NH4+

CAN BE ANTAGONIZED BY K, I.E., HIGH

SOIL K WILL REDUCE FOLIAR N

SOIL TEST & FOLIAR

ANALYSIS TO CONFIRM

ADD N CONTAINING

FERTILIZER


NITROGEN IS

MOBILE

Status for

Organic

Production


Availability

N P2O5 K20







NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES » POTASSIUM

OLDER LEAVES DEVELOP INTERVEINAL YELLOWING

MARGINAL NECROTIC SPOTS DEVELOP ON OLDER LEAVES

POTASSIUM IS

MOBILE

NECROTIC SPOTS

WILL PROGRESS

INWARDS TOWARDS

MAIN STEM AND

UPWARDS TOWARDS

YOUNGER GROWTH

NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES » POTASSIUM POTASSIUM IS MOBILE

DEFICIENCY: INCREASED DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY; DEVELOP

CHLOROTIC AREAS ON LEAVES (OFTEN MARGINAL); THESE

AREAS RAPIDLY TURN NECROTIC; NECROSIS DECREASES AS

YOU MOVE TOWARDS YOUNGER LEAVES; POOR FRUIT

QUALITY.

POTENTIAL CAUSES…

K CAN LEACH IN HUMID, SANDY

SOILS

K UPTAKE IS ANTAGONIZED BY

OTHER CATIONS -- HIGH LEVELS

OF SOIL NH4+, NA+, CA+2, MG+2

SOIL TEST & FOLIAR

ANALYSIS TO CONFIRM

ADD K CONTAINING

FERTILIZER

NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES » POTASSIUM

POTASSIUM IS

MOBILE

Status for

Organic

Production


Availability

N P2O5 K20







Interveinal yellowing

Marbling of the OLDER leaves

Sometimes margins remain green

NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES » MAGNESIUMMagnesium is

MOBILE

Magnesium is MOBILE

DEFICIENCY: INTERVEINAL

CHLOROSIS OF OLDER LEAVES;

NECROSIS DEVELOPS OVER

TIME; CAN GET A RED-PINK

INTERVEINAL PIGMENTATION IN

SOME PLANT SPECIES.

NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES » MAGNESIUM

Magnesium is

MOBILE

POTENTIAL CAUSES…

IMPROPER SOIL PH

FAILURE TO LIME WITH A MG

CONTAINING MATERIAL

SOIL TEST & FOLIAR

ANALYSIS TO CONFIRM

PREVENT – USE DOLOMITIC LIME

ALLEVIATE SYMPTOMS, USE EPSOM SALTS INJECTED OR APPLY

FOLIARLY

AT 1 TO 2 LB. MG PER ACRE (DEPENDING ON CROP, 2 TO 3

APPLICATIONS OR WEEKLY)

NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES » MAGNESIUM

Magnesium is

MOBILE

DO NOT FOLIAR APPLY N, P OR K

CANNOT MEET PLANTS NEEDS W/ FOLIAR FEEDING

POSSIBLE TO SUPPLY SECONDARY AND MICROS VIA

FOLIAR FEEDING, BUT BETTER TO HAVE IN SOIL

KEY IS TO SOIL TEST, KNOW PARTICULARS OF EACH

VEGETABLE CROP

FOLIAR FEEDING OF VEGETABLES USUALLY NOT

NEEDED AND WILL NOT CORRECT A PRIMARY

MACRONUTRIENT DEFICIENCY

NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES » CALCIUM

Slight chlorosis to browning or blackening of new leaf tips

Die-back of Growing Points

On young plants, cupping of leaflets, yellowing

CALCIUM IS IMMOBILE

NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES » CALCIUM

DEFICIENCY: IRREGULAR

CHLOROSIS OF FOLIAGE AT

TOP OF PLANT; INCOMPLETE

FORMATION OF LEAVES,

FLOWERS AND ROOTS; LEAF

MARGINAL NECROSIS;

BLOSSOM-END ROT; BLACK

HEART IN CELERY.

CALCIUM IS IMMOBILE

NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES » CALCIUM & BLOSSOM-END ROT

DIE-BACK AT GROWING POINTS…BLOSSOM-END OF FRUIT &

VEGETABLE BUDS

CALCIUM IS

IMMOBILE

BROWN LEATHERY,

SUNKEN TISSUE AT

FLOWER END

ROT ORGANISMS AND

INSECTS CAN GET

INTO FRUIT

PREVENTION & MANAGING BLOSSOM-END ROT

Soil pH 6 to 6.5

Use mulches and raised beds

Use dolomitic or calcitic lime

CALCIUM + SOIL MOISTURE + PH

POTENTIAL CAUSES…

IMPROPER SOIL PH (too low)

FAILURE TO LIME WITH A CA

CONTAINING MATERIAL

FLUCTUATIONS IN SOIL MOISTURE; DROUGHT STRESS; FLOODING

Soil test & Foliar analysis to confirm

Lime w/ dolomitic Limestone/use Ca fertilizer

Control soil moisture

Apply Calcium chloride?

Never use when temps above 85⁰F

Use ~4 lb per 100 gal of water

NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES » CALCIUM CALCIUM IS IMMOBILE

NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES » BORON

BORON IS IMMOBILE

DEFICIENCY: YOUNGEST LEAVES APPEAR THICK W/A

COPPERY TEXTURE. LEAVES CURL & CRACK;

GROWING POINTS – VEGETATIVE AND FLORAL BUDS

ABORT, REFORM, & THEN ABORT AGAIN. PLANT

APPEARS IT HAD BEEN PINCHED BACK. CORKING

OCCURS ON THE LEAVES. INTERNODES SHORTENED.

POTENTIAL CAUSES…

IMPROPER SOIL PH – PH TO

HIGH

W/ EXCEPTION OF MO, MICROS BECOME INSOLUBLE @ HIGH PH

NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES » BORON

Micronutrients

NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES » IRON

Interveinal chlorosis or

YELLOWING of younger leaves

Yellowing begins at the base of the

leaf and progresses outward toward the tip of leaf

Veins remain green

IRON IS IMMOBILE

IF NOT CORRECTED,

SOME LEAVES WILL

BECOME ALMOST

COMPLETELY WHITE

IRON IS IMMOBILE

B-DEFICIENCY MOST WIDELY REPORTED MICRO

PROBLEM IN VEGETABLES

ESPECIALLY IN ASPARAGUS, MOST BULB & ROOT CROPS, COLE

CROPS & TOMATOES

APPLY 1-2 LB. B/A UNDER MEDIUM B LEVEL

APPLY 2-3 LB. B/A UNDER LOW B LEVELS

USE BORAX (11.36%) OR OTHER FERTILIZER GRADE BORATE

SEVERAL OMRI MICRO MIXES AVAILABLE

SOME CROPS, B APPLIED PREVENTATIVELY:

APPLY 2-3 LB/A ON ASPARAGUS EVERY 3RD YEAR

APPLY 2-3 LB B/A BROADCAST ON BROCCOLI & OTHER COLE CROPS

NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES » BORON BORON IS IMMOBILE


IRON IS IMMOBILE


SYMPTOMS COMMONLY OBSERVED WHEN ROOTS BECOME WATERLOGGED

ESPECIALLY IN SOILS WITH A LOT OF ADDED ORGANIC MATTER.

TO TREAT: SPRAY PLANTS WITH SOLUBLE

IRON MATERIAL OR USE A

GRANULAR IRON MATERIAL.

RATE DEPENDS ON PERCENT

IRON IN MATERIAL.

IRON IS IMMOBILE

FOR MICROS, UNLIKELY THAT YOU

WILL SEE WIDESPREAD PROBLEMS.

MORE COMMON TO SEE POCKETS OF

PLANTS WITH DEFICIENCY PROBLEMS.

WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MO, MICROS

BECOME VERY INSOLUBLE AT HIGH PH.

FOLIAR APPLICATION OF MATERIALS

CAN ALLEVIATE THE DEFICIENCY.

Status for

Organic

Production


Availability

N P2O5 K20







KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT

Prevention

Soil Test

Use Cover Crops and Green manures

Plan Your Nutrient “recipes” out ahead of time

Adding rock phosphate to manure (manure is acidic)

Require time for them time to work – become available to plants

Diagnosis

Leaf Tissue Sampling and Soil Testing

Treatment

Before you apply any material, check with you certifying agency!

ssawg 2015 d joe kemble - identification and better management of plant nutrient disorders

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