Plant Nutrient Deficiency Chart

Identifying and addressing nutrient deficiencies to optimise crop health and yield

Plants grown commercially need key nutrients to grow optimally. If a plant is lacking a certain nutrient, you’ll start to see specific deficiency symptoms that can be identified and corrected.

15 Essential Nutrients That Plants Need

Essential Nutrients

Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O)
Obtained from water, air, and sunlight. Essential for all plant processes.

Macronutrients

N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulphur, Calcium, Magnesium, required in large amounts for growth.

Micronutrients

Cu, Mn, Zn, Fe, B, Mo
Copper, Manganese, Zinc, Iron, Boron, Molybdenum, required in smaller quantities but critical for health.

What Is Nutrient Deficiency?

Plants can suffer from malnutrition if lacking essential nutrients. Without sufficient nutrients, plants will not thrive and will present various symptoms that can be observed and corrected.

Essential Plant Nutrients And Their Deficiency Symptoms

Compare the visual symptoms below against your crop to help identify which nutrient may be lacking.

Nitrogen deficiency symptoms in a plant leaf

Nitrogen (N)

Stunted growth; extremely pale colour; upright leaves with a light green to yellowish colour.

Potassium deficiency symptoms in a plant leaf

Potassium (K)

Small spots on leaf tips; pale edges; spots turn rusty; tips start to fold inward.

Magnesium deficiency symptoms in a plant leaf

Magnesium (Mg)

Paleness spreads inward from leaf edges; edges form cup-shaped folds; leaves die in extreme deficiency.

Sulphur deficiency symptoms in a plant leaf

Sulphur (S)

Uniform paling and yellowing of the younger leaves first, while older leaves stay greener.

Boron deficiency symptoms in a plant leaf

Boron (B)

Discolouration of leaf buds; breaking and dropping of buds; brittle, distorted new growth.

Manganese deficiency symptoms in a plant leaf

Manganese (Mn)

Leaves are pale; veins and venules remain dark green and reticulated.

Zinc deficiency symptoms in a plant leaf

Zinc (Zn)

Leaves pale and narrow; short veins dark green; dark spots on leaves and edges.

Iron deficiency symptoms in a plant leaf

Iron (Fe)

Leaves are pale with no spots; the major veins remain green (interveinal chlorosis on young leaves).

Copper deficiency symptoms in a plant leaf

Copper (Cu)

Pale pink colouration between the veins; leaves wilt and drop.

Molybdenum deficiency symptoms in a plant leaf

Molybdenum (Mo)

Leaves go light green, lemon, yellow, or orange; spots appear over the whole leaf except the veins.

How To Prevent Nutrient Deficiency In Plants

Applying more fertiliser doesn’t necessarily result in a healthier crop. Farmers should apply the right fertiliser, in the right amounts, at the right time. Zylem facilitates the supply of biological soil conditioners and foliar feeds to address and prevent deficiencies.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 5 most common nutrient deficiencies in plants?

The five most common are Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Iron (Fe), and Magnesium (Mg) deficiencies.

What are the 3 most common plant deficiencies?

Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium deficiencies are the three most common, as these macronutrients are required in the largest quantities.

How do you identify a nutrient deficiency in plants?

Observe leaf colour, size, texture, and overall plant growth. Yellowing, browning, spots, and stunted growth are all indicators of specific nutrient deficiencies.

What are 3 symptoms of plant nutrient deficiency?

1. Yellowing or chlorosis of leaves. 2. Purple or reddish discolouration. 3. Brown leaf edges or tips. Each points to different nutrient deficiencies.

Can plants recover from nutrient deficiency?

Yes, if the deficiency is identified and addressed early. Applying the correct fertiliser or foliar feed can restore plant health within a matter of weeks.

What is a plant deficiency chart?

A plant deficiency chart is a visual reference tool that maps specific symptoms to their corresponding nutrient deficiencies, helping farmers quickly diagnose and correct crop health issues.

What does a typical nutrient deficiency chart include?

A typical chart lists each essential nutrient alongside its deficiency symptoms, including leaf colour changes, growth patterns, and other visible signs, to aid in rapid diagnosis.