Cauli flower physiological disorders By Mr. Allah Dad Khan Provincial Coordinator IPM KPK MINFAL Islamabad

2. Cauliflower Physiological
Disorders
ToT to FFS Staff
By Mr. Allah Dad Khan
Provincial Coordinator IPM KPK
MINFAL

4. Symptoms
 : Younger leaves show
signs of browning at
the tips (see photo). In
cabbage, the browning
can be seen only after
the head is cut open.
Leaf tipburn (cauliflower)

5. Symptoms Boron deficiency in lo bok
 Cole crops have a moderate to
high boron requirement.
Symptoms of boron deficiency
vary with crop type. Most boron
deficient cole crops develop
cracked and corky stems, petioles
and midribs. The stems of
broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower
can be hollow and are sometimes
discolored. Cauliflower curds
become brown and leaves may
roll and curl, while cabbage
heads may be small and yellow.
Of all the cole crops, cauliflower
is the most sensitive to boron
deficiencies.
Cauliflower Boron Deficiency

6. Recommendation for boron Control
 It is recommended in broccoli and kale to apply 1.5-3 pounds
of boron (B) per acre in mixed fertilizer prior to planting. In
Brussels sprouts, cabbage, collards and cauliflower, boron and
molybdenum are recommended. Apply 1.5-3 pounds of boron
(B) per acre and 0.2 pound molybdenum (Mo) applied as 0.5
pound sodium molybdate per acre with broadcast fertilizer.
 Boron may also be applied as a foliar treatment to cole crops if
soil applications were not made. The recommended rate is
0.2-0.3 lb/acre of actual boron (1.0 to 1.5 lbs of Solubor
20.5%) in sufficient water (30 or more gallons) for coverage.
Apply foliar boron prior to heading of cole crops.
 (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cole crops,
micronutrient deficiency, physiological disorders)

7. Symptoms
 Buttoning is most common
when transplants are too old
and past the juvenile growth
stage when transplanted.
Other stress factors such as
low fertility, low moisture
micronutrient deficiencies or
disease and insects can also
be causes. Strong healthy
plants lacking heads can
occur due to periods of
extremely warm weather
(days over 86F and nights
over 77F).
Cauliflower and Broccoli Premature Heading and
Lack of Heads

8. Bracts (leaves) in Cauliflower or Broccoli Heads
 High temperatures or low soil moisture can result in
the formation of bracts, small leaves, between
segments in the heads of cauliflower and broccoli.
 Symptoms

9.  NitrogenDeficiency
SymptomsPlants have a
uniform yellowish color, with
leaves closest to the roots the
root system very large oldest
leaves will show purpling on
underside first and margins of
leaves tips will then turn purple
followed by whole leaf taking on
this color growth is retarded and
plants have a poor root system.
 Correction MeasureFoliar
spray of Urea 1% at fortnightly
intervals

10.  PhosphorusDeficie
ncy SymptomsPink
color pigmentation
seen in old leaves;
stunted plant growth
 Correction
MeasureFoliar spray
of DAP 2% twice at
fortnightly interval

11.  PotassiumDeficiency
SymptomsAppears first on
oldest cabbage leaves as spots
shiny green leaves turn dull
green, leaf margins turn a
yellowish green followed by
withering mature heads are loose
and smaller. In K-deficient
cauliflower, leaf tips turn brown,
leaves turn inward and can have
a crinkled surface.
 Correction MeasureFoliar
spray of K2SO4 1% twice at
weekly intervals.

12.  CalciumDeficiency
SymptomsSymptoms
appear first in youngest
plant parts. Tip burn with
chlorotic young leaves.
Severe cases breakdown of
the heart and dieback of
rootlets.
 Correction MeasureSoil
application of Gypsum 50
kg/ha.

13.  MagnesiumDeficiency
SymptomsOldest leaves are
affected first interveinal chlorosis
with green veins leaf margins
stay green at first, but ultimately
dry up on cauliflower small
chlorotic leaflets. Poor rooting
Magnesium deficiency should not
be confused with virus infection.
Virus infection would be spotty
in a field.
 Correction MeasureFoliar
spray of MgSO4 2% twice at
fortnightly interval.

14.  SulphurDeficiency
SymptomsYoungest
leaves turned purplish,
cupped upward leaf
edges rolled in.
 Correction
MeasureSoil
application of Gypsum
50 kg/ha.

15.  BoronDeficiency
SymptomsSymptoms occur first on the
youngest parts. Youngest leaves turn
chlorotic and their tips turn brown later
on. Curd does not develop as a compact
unit turns purplish – brown appears as it
is wilting and leaves may curl downward.
Trunk is hollow and when the top is cut off
a brownish-colored cavity is found. In B
deficient cabbage, cavity is extended into
the head. The youngest leaves are
chlorotic, leaf edges are scorched and
blades turn downward develop poorly.
 Correction MeasureSoil application of
borax @ 20 kg/ha or Foliar spray of borax
0.5% twice at fortnightly interval.

16.  CopperDeficiency
SymptomsYoungest
leaves become chlorotic.
Growth is stunted and
heads are poorly formed.
The plant gives a wilted
appearance.
 Correction
MeasureFoliar spray of
CuSO4 0.3% twice at
fortnightly interval.

17.  ManganeseDeficiency
SymptomsPoor growth
interveinal chlorosis with
dark green main veins of
youngest leaves chlorosis
extends into the leaf
margins. In severe cases
the whole leaf turns
yellowish.
 Correction
MeasureFoliar spray of
MnSO4 0.3% twice at
fortnightly interval.

18.  MolybdenumDeficiency
SymptomsCupping of the
leaves and interveinal chlorosis
followed by twisting and narrow
elongation of leaves. Poor curd
development. New leaves become
irregular.
 Correction MeasureSoil
application of 1.0 kg sodium
molybdate /ha or Foliar spray of
sodium molybdate 0.1% (Soil
application of 120kg N, 75 kg P
and Mo 1.5kg/ha, 1 kg B/ha)

19.  ZincDeficiency
SymptomsYoung
leaves become small;
curd color will be
affected
 Correction
MeasureFoliar spray
of ZnSO4 @0.5%

20. Symptoms
Growth dwarfed; leaves lustreless dark green,
laminae and petioles dull purple tints; older
leaves marginal scorch and wither early.
 Older leaves are pale
bluish green with
purple discoloration.
Especially the
underside of leaves
turns red
Phosphorus deficiency

21. Symptoms
 Causes buttoning of
premature head
formation (also caused
by lack of water, poor
drainage and cold
shock to transplants),
pale green leaf color
and poor growth.
Nitrogen Deficiency

22. Symptoms
Older leaves deep purple
tints changing to red.
 Older leaves are pale
bluish green with
purple discoloration.
Especially the
underside of leaves
turns red.
Phosphorus deficiency

23. Symptoms
Plant has remained stunted;
leaves bluish green with dull
purple tints
 Older leaves are pale
bluish green with
purple discoloration.
Especially the
underside of leaves
turns red.
Brussels Sprout/cabbage/ Plant
Phosphorus deficiency

24. Symptoms
Growth dwarfed, erect and stem
thin; leaves pale green and older
leaves bright orange, red and purple
tints.
 Causes buttoning of
premature head
formation (also caused
by lack of water, poor
drainage and cold
shock to transplants),
pale green leaf color
and poor growth.
Cauliflower Plant Nitrogen dificiency

25. Symptoms
Hooking of young leaves and
severe collapse of tissues
 Necrotic leaf margins
and "clawlike"
deformations at the
youngest leaves. The
curd dies off.
Cauliflower Plant Calcium deficiency

26. Symptoms
 Calcium deficiency
shows as collapse of
mesophyll tissues
and manganese
toxicity as incurling
of leaf margins
followed by
marginal spotting
and scorching.
Cauliflower Plant Calcium deficiency and manganese
toxicity (soil scidity complex

28. Symptoms
 Older leaves
chlorotic marbling
followed by strong
orange, red and
purple tinting.
Cauliflower Plant Magnesium deficiency

29. Symptoms
 Plants in seed bed.
Older leaves strong
yellow, red and
purple tints as
"marbled" pattern
deficiency

30. Symptoms
 General field view
at cutting time.
Older leaves strong
chlorotic marbling
and tinting.
Cauliflower Plants Magnesium deficiency

31. Symptoms
 Magnesium
deficiency shows as
chlorotic marbling
of older leaves and
manganese toxicity
as incurling and
necrosis of margins
of younger leaves.
Manganese toxicity (soil acidity complex

32. Molybdenum Deficiency

33. Symptoms
 Leaves bluish green
and slight
intervenal chlorosis
near margins;
backward curling of
laminae, and
scorching and
forward curling of
margins
Cauliflower Plant Potassium deficiency

34. Symptoms
 General field view
at cutting time;
curling and severe
marginal and
intervenal
scorching of leaves.
Cauliflower Plants Potassium deficiency

35. Symptoms
 Laminae of leaves
restricted and may
fail to develop,
leaving only bare
midribs. Growing
point dies.
Cauliflower Plant Molybdenum deficiency

36. Symptoms
 Cauliflower Plant
Manganese toxicity
(soil acidity complex)
 Restricted lateral
growth of leaf
laminae and
incurling and brown
spotting of margins
molybdenum
deficiency).
Cauliflower Plant Manganese toxicity (soil
acidity complex)

37. Symptoms
 Corky condition of
epidermis.
Deficiency