BORON(B) 0.111% |
| PLANT REQUIREMENTS | DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS |
- Boron is essential for reproduction and thus seed and fruit set.
- Healthy root growth and the root reponse to gravity are dependent on Boron.
- Sufficient Boron enables plants to become resistant to diseases of many types.
| A lack of boron in a plant results in:
- Poor flowering and seed set.
- The deterioration of root and stem growing points.
- Stunted roots.
- Wrinkled leaves.
- "Hard fruit disease" (especially citrus).
The crops most susceptible to a deficiency are: cabbages, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, radish and citrus. |
COPPER(Cu) 0.319% |
| PLANT REQUIREMENTS | DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS |
- Copper is essential for plant respiration and photosynthesis.
- Greening of leaves.
- Development of flowers and thus seed and fruit production.
- Copper is required to control nitrogen fixation by legumes, and iron uptake by all plants.
- Copper will also help prevent wilting of leaves in dry periods.
| A lack of copper in a plant results in:
- Poor leaf colour and deformed leaves and flowers.
- Fruit quality and production are adversely affected.
- Wilted leaves and leaves will suffer from "treatment illness".
- Citrus fruit developing thick oily skins with gum spots.
- Trees develop abnormal shoots with skew leaves.
- Up to 50% reduction in yield.
|
IRON(Fe) 2.260% |
| PLANT REQUIREMENTS | DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS |
- Iron is needed in large quantities to produce chlorophyll and thus green leaves. Iron is therefore essential for photosynthesis and thus all growth.
| A lack of iron in a plant results in:
- Chlorotic (yellow to white) leaves.
- The veins may remain dark green.
- Petioles of tomato plants become purple.
- Stunted growth with a drop (up to 70%) in crop yield.
|
MANGANESE(Mn) 0.290% |
| PLANT REQUIREMENTS | DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS |
- Manganese is essential for photosynthesis and in particular, sugar production.
- Manganese also controls the uptake of other ions and nutrients from the soil.
| A lack of manganese in a plant results in:
- Chlorosis (yellowing) of the leaves.
- Leaves becoming spotted (marbled effect).
- Reduced growth and flowering.
- Cucumber, beans and many ornamentals are especially susceptible to Manganese deficiency.
|
MOLYBDENUM(Mo) 0.032% |
| PLANT REQUIREMENTS | DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS |
- Molybdenum is needed for sexual reproduction and the development of embryos.
- Molybdenum is also necessary for the production of proteins (thus increasing the protein yield of a crop) and vitamins, in particular, vitamin C.
- Molybdenum is required for chlorophyll production and thus the greening of leaves.
- Molybdenum is essential for nitrogen fixation by legumes and for protection against aluminium toxicity in all plants.
- A seed soak will ensure even germination in the field (e.g. maize)
| A lack of molybdenum in a plant results in:
- Yellow/orange spots on the leaves between the veins.
- A reduced number of flowers which are small and sometimes do not open.
- Deformed reproductive organs, thus fruit and crops suffer poor yields.
- "Whiptail leaf symptom" in cabbages, etc.
- "Yellow spot" disease in citrus.
- Cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli and all legumes are most susceptible to deficiency.
- Reduction in yield of crops (up to 80%).
|
ZINC(Zn) 0.244% |
| PLANT REQUIREMENTS | DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS |
- Zinc is essential for pollen grains and thus fertilization and fruiting.
- Zinc increases sugar production and is essential for the production of hormones.
| - Zinc deficiencies are very common (especially in citrus) and are often caused by lime and phosphate applications.
- Poor growth with short stems and internodes and small, curled leaves.
- Flowers are small in size.
|
MAGNESIUM(Mg) 0.031% |
| PLANT REQUIREMENTS | DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS |
- Magnesium is the most important component of chlorophyll ( green pigment) and thus vital for photosynthesis.
- Magnesium helps to control enzyme operations.
- Magnesium is important for oil production (e.g. avocado)
| A lack of magnesium in a plant results in:
- Chlorosis (yellowing) between the leaf veins.
- In some species, the lower leaves develop a purple colour preceding death.
- Flower size and number is reduced.
- Magnesium deficiency is common after heavy nitrogen, potassium or lime application.
- Very common in tomatoes and cucumbers.
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