Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms

How to Recognize a Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms?

As a professional turf manager, you are challenged to produce great results efficiently and economically while also being environmentally responsible. You must be able to know quickly if there is something wrong with your lawn. Use this chart to help identify the likely nutrient deficiency causing the problem. For an accurate diagnosis and recommendation, contact your Nutrite Turf Specialist.

Elements Deficiency symptoms Comments

Nitrogen deficiency is associated with sandy soils. A Leaf chlorosis. Older leaves turn yel- deficiency can also occur in soils exposed to high leach- low and die. Reduced growth rate. ing conditions from heavy rainfall or excessive irriga- Reduction of shoot and leaf density. Nitrogen tion. Loss by denitrification occurs on poorly drained or Greater development of certain dis- compacted soils. Excess nitrogen can promote certain eases (e.g. dollar spot). diseases.

Leaves turn purple, reddish-brown Soil test to determine phosphorus need. Phosphorus is or dark green (almost black). Thin important at establishment, less important for a mature crown. Spring green-up is very slow. turfgrass stand. Turfgrass plants use relatively less phos- Phosphorus Growth is reduced and turfgrass phorus compare to nitrogen and potash. P availability density is low. is sensitive to pH. Maximum availability in soil is at pH 6.5. Reduced uptake in cold soils.

Yellowing of older leaves followed Deficiencies occur under high rainfall or leaching condi- by dieback at the tip and scorching tions, sandy soils and low CEC or under high nitrogen or firing at leaf margins. Reduced Potassium fertilization. Excess potassium may cause deficiency of growth. Greater tendency to exhibit calcium, magnesium or manganese. wilting and wear injury.

Root tips turn brown and die. Leaves Excess calcium may cause magnesium, potassium, curl, turn brown and die. Newly manganese or iron deficiency. Deficiencies enhanced by Calcium expanding leaves may stick together acidic soils (pH<5.5). and tear as they open.

Older leaves lose green colour and Excess magnesium may cause calcium, potassium, progress from light green to cherry manganese deficiency. Deficiencies enhanced by acidic Magnesium red. Leaf veins remain green and soils (pH<5.5). leaves start to die. Sulphur deficiency symptoms are identical to nitrogen Pale-green or yellow leaves Sulphur deficiency symptoms. Use tissue analysis.

Interveinal chlorosis in new leaves, Often blamed for manganese or zinc deficiencies. Oc- then on older leaves as deficiency Iron curs commonly in alkaline soils. worsens.

Interveinal chlorosis. In severe cases, leaves develop necrotic margins and Occurs more in alkaline soils. Manganese spots. Leaves may be smaller and less distinctly shaped.

Interveinal chlorosis. Stunted growth. Zinc Leaves may form rosettes at ends of Excess zinc or copper will reduce iron levels in the plant. shoots.