Symptoms of Mineral Deficiency in Plants
The absence or deficiency (not present in the required amount) of any of the essential elements leads to deficiency symptoms. Under natural conditions, these symptoms can be taken as indicators of the mineral deficiencies in the soil.
Some common deficiency symptoms are:
- Chlorosis: It is the loss of chlorophyll leading to yellowing in leaves. It is caused by the deficiency of elements like K, Mg, N, S, Fe, Mn, Zn and Mo.
- Necrosis or death of tissues, particularly leaf tissue is caused by deficiency of K, Ca, Mg
- Inhibition of cell division is caused due to lack or deficiency of N, K, B, S and Mo
- Stunted or Retarded plant growth caused by the deficiency of N, P, K, Zn, Ca
- Premature fall of leaves and buds is caused by deficiency of K, P
- Delay in flowering is caused due to deficiency of N, S, Mo