Sunday, March 15, 2026

Understanding Nutrient deficiency in plants.

 Plants respond, react and also convey what they undergo in terms of nutrition and their needs. 

Let's try to understand what the plant is trying to tell us.

NITROGEN - 
• yellowing of the older leaves of the plant
• growth of the plant stops
• leaves start to fall 
• dropping off of flowers & fruits
• drying off of new shoots

PHOSPHORUS -
•  leaves will turn a darker green or purple
• delay in flowering
• delay in fruiting
• the root system of the plant weakens

POTASSIUM -
• burning of the leaves at its edges
• the branches of the plant are brittle, not strong
• the plant's immune system weakens and its ability to naturally ward off pests or diseases reduces

SULFUR -
• new leaves turning yellow
• the plant starts looking pale, sick, unhealthy, yellow or lighter in shade than normal

ZINC -
•   the leaves shrink in size comparitively
• shrinking of the nodes and internodes


CALCIUM -
• curling of the leaves
• black or brown spots on the bottom side of the fruit especially in tomatoes also known as  blossom end rot

COPPER -
• wilting of leaves
• drying out of new branches

BORON -
• deformation of the actual shape of the fruit or flowers
• lack of growth with regards to root formation

MOLYBDENUM -
• lack of proper use of the nitrogen in the soil
• yellowing of the leaves

SILICON -
• lack of strength in the branches of the plant
• plant is prone to frequent pest attacks or diseases