6 PRINCIPES IVoL.2B

Principes,23(1),1984, pp. 6 I4 Nutrient Deficiency Symptomsin Five Speciesof Palms Grown as Foliaee Plantst

T. K. BnoscHer IFAS, Uniuersity of Florida, Agricultural Research and Education Center..3205 S.W. CollegeAuenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314

Proper fertilization is important for the Materials and Methods growth of any , but especially in Seedlings of elegans grown in soilless media with little Mart., Phoeni-t roebelenii O'Brien, Car- or no inherent fertility. Omission of any yota rnitis Lour., Chrysalidocarpus essentialnutrient element from the fertil- lutescens H. A. \\:endl ., and.Howea ization regime of such plants can rapidly for- sterana (C. Moore & F. J. Muell.) Becc. result in nutrient deficiencysymptoms. were grown in sand culture to induce defi- Deficiency symptoms for most essential ciency symptoms of all essential nutrient elementsare known for most important elements. Medium grade silica sand was food and fiber producing plants, rela- but prepared for use as a growing substrate tively little is known about specific nutri- by. the following procedure: tional disorders of tropical foliage plants, Particulate impurities were floated off the particularly palms. Through the use by agitation of the sand under running tap of sand culture (Hewitt techniques 1966), water until the effiuent was clear. Twelve- it is possibleto induce experimentally defi- liter batches of sand were placed in 15 ciency symptoms of most essentialele- liter capacity polypropylene containers ments in plants, thereby relating specific with small drainage holes in the bottom. symptomsto a deficiencyof a single ele- Each batch of sand was rinsed with 9 liters ment. This has been done for Dalmssuch of deionized water, soaked in I N HCI for (Manciot as coconuts et al. 1979-1980) 30 minutes with agitation every l0 min- (Bull and oil palms 1958, Broeshartet al. utes, soaked in 6 N HCI with agitation for I957, Bull 196Ia, Bull I961b) whichare 30 minutes, rinsed with 3 liters of deion- limited work grown as plantationcrops, but ized water, soaked in I N HNO, with agi- has been done on commercially important tation for 30 minutes and finally, rinsed speciesgrown as foliage plants (Marlatt with a minimum of l0 liters of deionized 1978, Marlatt and McRitchie 1979). The water. Sand used for induction of boron purposeof this study wasto induceexper- deficiency was also soaked with agitation imentally and describedeficiency symp- in 2 N NH*OH. Sand used for chlorine toms for all essentialnutrient elementsin deficiency induction was treated with I N 5 speciesof palms commonly used in and 6 N HrSOn instead of HCl, while sand interiorscapes. used to induce nitrogen deficiency was not treated with HNO". ' Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations Journal Healthy B-I2-month-old palm seed- SeriesNo. 4640. lings were washed to remove all soil from L9B4l BROSCHAT:DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS the roots and were planted in the acid- in a phosphorus-free environment. Leaf washed sand in I 0-cm square polypro- color remained normal for about 7 months, pylene containers vrith polypropylene mesh but gradually faded to a light olive green placed over the drainage hole to prevent color (Fig. l). The leaves of phosphorus- loss of sand. Five replicate plants of each deficient Caryota turned completely yel- were placed in l4 separate cham- low after I I months, however. Since no bers, one for each of the i3 missing ele- new leaves were produced in the absence ments plus a control (all essential elements of P, the plants eventually lost all but one provided). Plants were maintained indoors or two of the newest leaves. Plants began under cool white fluorescent illurnination to recovei about four months after res- (BB pE/m2/sec) (16 h photoperiod) at toration of P to the fertilizer solution. 23 + 2" C. They were irrigated once per Potassium deficiency symptoms first rveek with one-half .strength Hoagland's appeared as necrotic spots or blotches on solution (Hoagland and Arnon 1950) for lower leaves of Charnaedorea, Caryota, the control plants or half strength Hoag- and Howea about 9 months after starting land's solution minus each of N, Po K, Ca, the experiment (Fig. 2). Similar symptoms Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, Mo, or Cl. appeared on Chrysalidocarpus after two Plants were also irrigated twice per week years. The necrosis was confined to t1le with deionized water only. Nutrient solu= margins of older leaflets of potassium-defi- tions were prepared using reagent grade cienl Chamaedorea, but in other species chemicals and deionized water. appeared within the older leaflets as streaks Deficiency symptoms were described as (Howea arrd Caryota) or spots (Chrysal- they occurred on each plant. An attempt idocarpus). Obvious potassium deficiency was made to restore normal growth to the symptoms were not apparent in Phoenix deficient palms by supplying Hoagland's within two years. Recovery of Howea, solution including the deficient element. Carlota, and Chrysalidocarpus for This was generally successful for N, P, potassium deficiency occurred within four Mg, and S, but with severe Ca, B, Mn, months, but due to the severity of the Zn. and Mo deficiencies. death of the mer- symptoms Ihe Chamaedorea did not istem prevented recovery by the palms. recover. Symptoms of calcium deficiency first in Chamaedorea arrd Howea and Discussion appeared Results after about six months as stunted, Nitrogen deficiency symptoms appeared deformed new leaves (Fig. 3). Newly in all five species of palms as a €radual emerging leaves failed to expand normally Ioss of green color, first on oldest leaves, with Ieaflets becoming necrotic, leaving but eventually throughout the foliage. only the base alive. Only necrotic Nitrogen-deficient palms grew much more petiole stubs emerged in succeeding leaves, slowlv. and had fewer and smaller leaves the leaflets and most of the rachis having than control palms. Symptoms first died before completely developing. These appeared after about four months for necrotic petiole stubs were usually water- Chamaedorea, but all species showed soaked in appearance. Calcium deficiency severe symptoms after seven months with- eventually killed the meristem in these out nitrogen. After returning the deficient palms so that recovery was not possible. plants to a complete fertilizer solution, Calcium deficiency symptoms were not recovery was complete within four months induced in Caryota, Chrysalidocarpus, for all species. or Phoenix. Growth of all 5 species of palms ceased Magnesium deficiency symptoms aP- almost immediately after they were placed peared first in Chrysalidocarpus as PRINCIPES [Vor.28

I. Phosphorus"deficientChamaedorea elegans (left) showing stunted growth compared to control plant (right).

interveinal chlorosis of the oldest leaves. symptoms progressed (Fig. a). The rachis After nine months the oldest leaves of and veins of these leaves initially remained Chamaedorea, Phoenix, Caryota, and green, but under severe magnesium defi- Howea began to yellow, progressing from ciency, the oldest leaves became com- the lateral mareins of each leaf inward as pletely yellow with progressively more

2. Lower leaf of Chamaedorea elellans showing marginal necrosis tvpical of K deficiency L98.11 BROSCHAT:DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS

3. Calcium-deficienr Houea forsterana showing necrotic new leaf'

green on the veins and rachis of younger tion during which time the chlorotic lower leaves. Lurr".. Recovery from magnesium defi- leaves were replaced by healthy appeared ciencv required 6-9 months after resto- Sulfur deficiency symptoms ration of magnesium to the fertilizer solu- in Chamaedorea, HoLoea, and' Crtryota

leaves 4. Magnesium-defici.ent Chamaed'orea e'legans with severe chlorosis on oldest PRINCIPES lVoL.2B

Sulfur-deficient Chrysalidocarpus lutescens(left) with uniformly yellow new foliage. Control plant on right is normal green color for this species.

palms after about one year and in Chry- of iron deficient Phoenix and Chrysali- salidocarpus after nearly two years' ddcarpus was complete in about five Symptoms were similar in these four months, but Chamaedorea and Caryota species and appeared as uniform yellowing never recovered. HoLoe&palms showed no of the new leaves (Fig. 5). As the defi- symptoms of iron deficiency after two and ciency progressed, new leaflets often one-half years in a virtually iron-free envi- showed necrotic tips. Older leaves ronment. remained green in all but the most severely Mild manganese deficiency symptoms deficient plants, however. Sulfur defi- appeared on all but Howea palms after ciency was not induced in Phoenix and about six months without manganese. The recovery of the other four specigs required earliest symptom was an indistinct inter- about seven months. veinal chlorosis of the new foliage (Figs. Caryota., Phoenix, and. Chrysalid'o- 7,8). As the deficiency progressed, necrotic carpus showed iron deficiency symptoms spots appeared in new foliage of Chamae- after about one year. Symptoms were dorea, Chrysalidocarpus, and. Caryota. identical for these species and consisted of New leaves of Chamaedoreo emerged with interveinal to general chlorosis of the new- necrotic margins, the necrosis becoming est leaves, the older leaves remaining green more severe on succeeding leaves so that (Fig. 6). After two years Chonaedorea eventually only necrotic stubs of petioles palms showed indistinct interveinal chlo- emerged. Death of the meristem followed. rosis of the newest leaves with some ln Phoenix, new leaves emerged chlorotic necrosis on leaflet tips. Also, newly emerg- with necrotic edges, reduced in size, and ing spear leaves did not open normally in did not expand normally, resulting in sev- this species, leaving two or three unopened eral partially opened leaves being present leaves at the top of each plant. Recovery in the region. Manganese deficiency I 9841 BROSCHAT:DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS

roebelenii palm- 6. Chlorotic new (left) and green old (right) Ieaves from a single Fe deficient Phoenix

weak- was not induced in Howea after two and because such plants were severely one-half years. Recovery of palms defi- ened or killed by the deficiencies. cient in manganese' as well as boron, zinc, Boron deficiency symptoms appeared seven copper, and molybdenum was not possible first on Chamaedorea alter about

species 7 . chamaedorea elegans showing symptoms typical for zn, Mq Mn, and cu deficiencies in this I2 PRINCIPES [Vor. 28

B. Phoenix roebelenii showing symptoms typical for Cu, Zn, Mo, and Mn deficienciesin this species

months. Early symptoms for Chamaedo- normally (Fig. 9). Leaf margins were often re&, as well as Caryota and Phoenix necrotic and in severecases, only necrotic included chlorotic new leaves which were stgbs of petioles emerged with death of usually malformed and failed to expand the meristem following. Flowers in boron-

9. Boron-deficient Chamaedorea elegans showing necrotic new foliage r 9B4l BROSCHAT:DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS IJ deficient Chamaedorea aborted and reduced in size (Figs. 7,8). In Chamae- blackened. Symptoms were similar for dorea, Mo deficiency eventually resulted Howea, except that no chlorosis was pres- in only necrotic petiole stubs emerging, with ent and the symptoms were nol expressed followed by death of the meristem as for two and one-half years. Boron defi- manganese, boron, zinc, and copper defi- ciency was not induced in Chrysalidocar- ciencies. p&s, but Marlatt (i978) reported trans- Chlorine deficiency was induced only in verse chlorotic streaks on new leaves Phoenix and, CarYota, the sYmPtoms which, as the deficiency progressed. appearing :after about eight months for coalesced and became necrotic. Death of both species. The only visible symptom in the meristem also occurred in this species. Caryota was a mild chlorosis of the new Zinc deficiency symptoms were induced leaves, but in Phoenir chlorosis was more in all but Caryota palms. Symptoms for severe and was accompanied by incom- Chamaedorea and,Phoenix were indistin- plete separation of leaflets of new leaves guishable from Mn deficiency, but in such that five or six incompletely opened (Fig. Chrysalidocarpus atd Howea no chlo- leaves were present on each plant rosis was present (Figs. 7,8). New leaves l0). These leaves had a ladder-like were reduced in size in all species and appearance, with leaflets being attached often had necrotic tips on leaflets. Zinc at the margins so securely that they could deficiency symptoms appeared first in not be separated without tearing the leaf- Chamaedorea and Chrysalidocar pus lets. after about nine months lliut Phoenix In conclusion, nutrient deficiency required aboui 14 months and Howea two symptoms in these five species of indoor and one-half years for symPtoms to palms are similar to those reported for appear. Marlatt and McRitchie (1979) larger species such as coconuts and oil reported zinc deficiency symptoms in palm3 (Bull I958, Broeshart et al. I957, Chrysalidocarpus similar to those Bull l96io,b, Manciot et al. 1979-1980). described here except that interveinal Macronutrient deficiency symptoms were chlorosis was also presenl on the new easily induced in these species of palms leaves of their plants. and were easily distinguished by their Copper deficiency symptoms were symptoms. Deficiency symptoms for these induced in Chamaedorea, Phoenix, and, elements are similar to those described for Howea and were similar to the zinc and other plant families, but this is not the manganese deficiency symptoms of those case with micronutrient deficiency symp- species except that chlorosis usually was toms. Iron and chlorine deficiencies had not present on the new foliage (Figs. 7,8). rather distinctive symptoms, but other New leaves were reduced in size, had micronutrient deficiency symptoms were necrotic margins, and eventually consisted virtually indistinguishable from one another solely of necrotic tipped petiole stubs. and correct diagnosis could be accom- Death of the meristem occurred in Cha' plished only by leaf elemental analysis once maedorea and.Howea. these symptoms were observed. Molybdenum deficiency symptoms were Deficiency symptoms for most elements induced only in Phoenix and' Chamae' required from 6 to 15 months or longer dorea pa\ms, requiring nine months for to be expressed in these palms. This was Chamaedoreo and 14 months for Phoe- largely due to the slow growth rate of these nir to show symptoms. In both species palms under low light intensities. and new growth was chlorotic, the leaves usu- stored nutrient reserYes in the seed could ally having large necrotic areas near the also have supplied the limited amount of tips and margins and were deformed and micronutrients required for several l4 PRINCIPES [Vor. 28

10. Chlorine-deficienr Phoenix roebelenii with typical chlorotic, ladder-like new foliage.

months' growth. Palms recover slowly or culture. J. West African Inst. Oil Palm Res. 3: not at all from nutrient deficiencies, par- 254 264. 196lb. Studieson the deficiency diseases ticularly deficiencies of calcium and those of the oil palm. 3. Micronutrient deficiency micronutrients which cause necrosis of the symptoms in oil palm *edlings grown in sand new foliage. Once severe symptoms are culture. J. West African Inst. Oil Palm Rm. 3: present and the palm's only bud is dam- 265-272. water culture aged or killed, recovery is impossible. In Hrwtrr, E. J. 1966. Sand and methods used in the study of plant nutrition. this way palms differ from most other Tech. Commun. No. 22, Comonw. Bur. Hort. plants which have lateral meristems capa- & Plantation Crops, East Malling, UK. ble of growth following death of terminal HoAGLAND,D. R. enn D. I. ARNoN. 1950. The meristems. water-culture method for growing plants without soil. Calif. Agric. Expt. Sta. Circ. 347. MANcror, E., M. OLLAGNTER,AND R. OcHs. I 979- LtrpRarunr Ctreo I980. Mineral nutrition and fertilization of the coconutaromd the world. Oleagineaux34: 51 I H., D. FERWERDA,eNn W. G. Kov- BRoESHART, J. 5I5. 576-580. 35: 23-27. 1957. Mineral deficiency symptoms ACHICH. MARLATT,R. B. 1978. Boron deficiency and tox- Plant Soil B: 289-300. 'n of the oil palm. icity symptoms Ficus elastica'Decora' and 1 Symptoms of calcium and phos- BuLL, R. A. 958. Chrysalidocarpus lutescens. HortScience I3: in oil palm seedlings' Nature phorus deficiency 442-443. 182:1749 175O. AND J. J. MCRITCHIE. 1979. Zinc defi- Studieson the deficiency diseases 196la. ciency symptoms of Chrysalidocarpus lutes- the oil palm. 2. Macronutrient deficiency of cens. HortScience 14: 620-621. symptoms in oil palm seedlingsgrown in sand