Nutrient deficiency and symptoms in plants

What is Nutrient Deficiency?
Definition:
• Nutrient deficiency in plants occurs when they lack one or more of the essential minerals required for their growth and development.
• These deficiencies can lead to various physiological disorders and reduced plant productivity.

Categories of Essential Nutrients

• Macronutrients:
• Required in larger quantities for plant growth and development.

Includes primary and secondary nutrients.

Primary Macronutrients:
• Nitrogen (N): Vital for vegetative growth, chlorophyll production, and protein synthesis.
• Phosphorus (P): Important for energy transfer, root development, and flowering.
• Potassium (K): Essential for water regulation, enzyme activation, and disease resistance.

Secondary Macronutrients:
• Calcium (Ca): Important for cell wall structure, root development, and enzyme
activity.
• Magnesium (Mg): Central component of chlorophyll and aids in enzyme activation.
• Sulfur (S): Crucial for amino acids, proteins, and enzyme function.
-> P H O N S K Ca Mg C

• Micronutrients:
• Required in smaller quantities but equally important for plant health.

• Iron (Fe): Essential for chlorophyll synthesis and electron transport in photosynthesis.
•Manganese (Mn): Important for photosynthesis, respiration, and nitrogen assimilation.
•Zinc (Zn): Vital for enzyme function and growth regulation.
•Copper (Cu): Involved in photosynthetic electron transport and enzyme activity.
•Boron (B): Crucial for cell wall formation and reproductive development.
•Molybdenum (Mo): Essential for nitrogen fixation and enzyme function in nitrogen metabolism.

-> Fe Cu Mo Zn Mn Cl B Ni.

Mobile Nutrients - Cl, K, Mg, Mo, N, P-> older parts
Immobile Nutrients - B, Cu, Ca, Fe, Mn, S, Zn-> younger parts
.

1. JAI NARAIN VYAS
UNIVERSITY
Department of botany
Seminar: Nutrient deficiency
By:Laxmi Choudhary

2. Content
•Introduction
•Criteria for essential nutrients
•Essential Plant Nutrients
•Mobile or non mobile Nutrients
•P
•N
•S
•K
•Ca
•Mg
•Fe
•Cu
•Mo
•Zn
•Mn
•Cl
•B
•Summary
•Cause, Diagnosis and management

3. Introduction
What is Nutrient Deficiency?
Definition:
• Nutrient deficiency in plants occurs when they lack
one or more of the essential minerals required for
their growth and development.
• These deficiencies can lead to various physiological
disorders and reduced plant productivity.
Importance of Understanding Nutrient
Deficiency
Impact on Plant Health:
• Nutrient deficiencies can lead to stunted growth,
poor yield, and increased susceptibility to diseases and
pests.
Agricultural Productivity:
• Identifying and addressing nutrient deficiencies is
crucial for maximizing crop yields and ensuring food
security.
Environmental Sustainability:
• Proper nutrient management reduces the need for
excessive fertilizer use, which can lead to
environmental issues such as soil degradation and
water pollution.

4. Essential nutrients Criteria

5. Essential Plant Nutrients
Categories of Essential Nutrients
• Macronutrients:
• Required in larger quantities for plant growth and development.
Includes primary and secondary nutrients.
Primary Macronutrients:
• Nitrogen (N): Vital for vegetative growth, chlorophyll production, and protein synthesis.
• Phosphorus (P): Important for energy transfer, root development, and flowering.
• Potassium (K): Essential for water regulation, enzyme activation, and disease resistance.
Secondary Macronutrients:
• Calcium (Ca): Important for cell wall structure, root development, and enzyme
activity.
• Magnesium (Mg): Central component of chlorophyll and aids in enzyme activation.
• Sulfur (S): Crucial for amino acids, proteins, and enzyme function.
-> P H O N S K Ca Mg C
• Micronutrients:
• Required in smaller quantities but equally important for plant health.
• Iron (Fe): Essential for chlorophyll synthesis and electron transport in photosynthesis.
•Manganese (Mn): Important for photosynthesis, respiration, and nitrogen assimilation.
•Zinc (Zn): Vital for enzyme function and growth regulation.
•Copper (Cu): Involved in photosynthetic electron transport and enzyme activity.
•Boron (B): Crucial for cell wall formation and reproductive development.
•Molybdenum (Mo): Essential for nitrogen fixation and enzyme function in nitrogen metabolism.
-> Fe Cu Mo Zn Mn Cl B Ni

6. Whether the younger part affects or older depends on mobility of
element
•Mobile Nutrients - Cl, K, Mg, Mo, N, P-> older parts
•Immobile Nutrients - B, Cu, Ca, Fe, Mn, S, Zn-> younger parts

7. Phosphorus (P) Deficiency
Symptoms:
• Dark green leaves with a purple or
reddish tint.
• Stunted growth and delayed maturity.
• Poor root development and flowering.
Affected Parts:
• Older leaves first, then younger leaves.
Nitrogen (N) Deficiency
Symptoms:
• Yellowing of older leaves (chlorosis).
• Stunted growth and reduced vigor.
• Poor fruit and seed development.
Affected Parts:
• Older leaves first, then younger leaves as
deficiency progresses.

8. Sulfur (S) Deficiency
Symptoms:
• Uniform yellowing (chlorosis) of
young leaves and the whole plant.
• Stunted growth and delayed
maturity.
• Thin, spindly stems.
Affected Parts:
• Younger leaves first.
Note: it is similar to N Deficiency, here
younger leaves get Yellowing.
Potassium (K) Deficiency
Symptoms:
• Marginal leaf burning (scorching) and
chlorosis.
Yellowing between leaf veins
(interveinal chlorosis).
• Weak stems and poor resistance to
diseases.
Affected Parts:
• Older leaves first.

9. Calcium (Ca) Deficiency
Symptoms:
• Death of growing tips, leading to
stunted growth.
• Distorted young leaves and necrosis
at leaf margins.
• Blossom end rot in fruits (e.g.,
tomatoes).
Affected Parts:
• Younger leaves and growing points.
Magnesium (Mg) Deficiency
Symptoms:
• Yellowing between leaf veins
(interveinal chlorosis) while veins
remain green.
• Premature leaf drop and poor fruit
development.
• Reduced growth and overall plant
vigor.
Affected Parts:
Older leaves first.

10. Iron (Fe) Deficiency
Symptoms:
• Interveinal chlorosis (yellowing
between leaf veins) in young leaves.
• Reduced chlorophyll production
leading to pale green or yellow leaves.
• Stunted growth and reduced vigor.
Affected Parts:
• Younger leaves first.
Copper (Cu) Deficiency
Symptoms:
• Necrosis (death of leaf tissue),
especially at the tips and edges.
• Dark green leaves that may twist or
curl.
• Stunted growth and poor reproductive
development.
Affected Parts:
• Younger leaves first.

11. Molybdenum (Mo) Deficiency
Symptoms:
• Pale leaves with interveinal chlorosis.
• Whiptail in crucifers (distorted leaves).
• Reduced nitrogen fixation in legumes.
Affected Parts:
• Younger leaves first.
Zinc (Zn) Deficiency
Symptoms:
• Reduced leaf size and shortening of internodes
(rosetting).
• Interveinal chlorosis on older leaves.
• Poor flowering and fruit set.
Affected Parts:
• Younger leaves first, but symptoms can spread to
older leaves.
Manganese (Mn) Deficiency
Symptoms:
• Interveinal chlorosis with small necrotic spots.
• Reduced leaf size and overall plant growth.
• Poor fruit development and lower yields.
Affected Parts:
• Younger leaves first.

12. Boron (B) Deficiency
Symptoms:
• Death of growing tips and buds, leading to
distorted growth.
• Cracking or hollowing of stems and fruit.
• Reduced flower and fruit formation.
Affected Parts:
• Younger leaves and growing points.
Chloride (Cl) Deficiency
Symptoms
• Chlorosis: Yellowing of leaves, particularly
at the tips and margins
• Necrotic Spots: Small, white necrotic spots
along the edges of leaves
• Leaf Tip Curling: Tips of leaves may curl or
wilt.
Reduced Growth: Stunted growth and poor
overall plant vigor .
note: Species-Specific Symptoms: Some
plants, like cabbage, may lack their
distinctive smell

13. Summary

14. Causes of Nutrient Deficiency
Soil Deficiency:
• Inadequate nutrient levels in soil.
Poor Soil Moisture:
• Insufficient water availability hinders nutrient uptake.
• pH Imbalance:
• Extreme soil pH affects nutrient availability.
Competition:
• Excess of one nutrient inhibits uptake of another.
Diagnosis and Identification
Soil Testing:
• Laboratory analysis to determine nutrient levels and deficiencies.
Plant Tissue Analysis:
• Testing plant tissues to diagnose nutrient status.
Visual Symptoms:
• Identifying deficiencies based on characteristic symptoms in plants.
Management and Treatment
Fertilization:
• Application of appropriate fertilizers to replenish deficient nutrients.
Soil pH Adjustment:
• Using lime or sulfur to correct soil pH.
• Irrigation Management:
• Ensuring adequate moisture for nutrient uptake.
• Integrated Nutrient Management:
• Combining organic and inorganic sources for balanced nutrition

15. References
•
https://digfir-published.macmillanusa.com/life11e/l
ife11e_ch35_4.html
•https://landresources.montana.edu/soilfertility/nut
rientdeficiency.html

16. Thank you