Nutrient deficiency in Sorghum

1. NUTRIENT DEICIENCY
IN SORGHUM
- Symptoms and their Management
By,
VIGNESH E T

2. Nitrogen Deficiency
SYMPTOMS:
• It appear first on older leaves and then advance up
the stem to younger leaves.
• The leaf blades progressively change colour from
dark green to pale green.
• A pale yellow chlorosis develops and this is followed
by a brown Necrosis.
• The chlorosis and necrosis begin near the tip of the
leaf blade and advance towards the base until the
whole blade turns yellow, then brown.
MANAGEMENT:
• Apply 8-10 kg / acre as top dressing or foliar spray of
urea @ 2 – 3 % .

3. Phosphorus deficiency
SYMPTOMS:
• Affected plants appear stunted with thin stems and
dark green leaves.
• When the deficiency becomes more severe, growth is
greatly reduced and overtones of dark red or purple
develop on the sheaths and blades of older leaves.
• Eventually, the red to purple pigmentation may
extend the full length of the leaf blade.
MANAGEMENT:
• Foliar spray of 2% DAP 2 -3 pray at an interval of 15
days.

4. POTASSIUM DEFICIENCY
SYMPTOMS:
• Plants lack vigour, flowering and maturing more
slowly than healthy plants.
• The stems are shortened and thin, and the older leaves
display a marginal necrosis which may extend the full
length of the leaf blade.
• However, the pattern of development and
pigmentation of the necrosis differs considerably
among cultivars.
MANAGEMENT:
• Foliar spray of KCl @ 1 %

5. SULPHUR DEFICIENCY
SYMPTOMS:
• Plant appear pale green, stunted, thin and spindly on
younger leaves.
• The size of grain heads and number of grains per
head become small and contribute to low grain yield.
• The pattern of yellowing on the entire leaves appears
uniform, affecting both the veins and interveinal
tissues.
MANAGEMENT:
• In standing crop, apply fertilizers such as (NH4)2SO4,
MgSO4 (or) K2SO4 along with irrigation water.

6. IRON DEFICENCY
SYMPTOMS:
• It produce stunted plants, pale yellow foliage,
reduced grain size head size and reduce grain set per
head.
• It is a best indicator plant for iron deficiency.
• First appear on the younger leaves while older leaves
remain dark green and healthy.
MANAGEMENT:
• Apply 25 kg/ ha of FeSO4 as basal or iron chelates at
10 kg/ha.
• In standing crops, apply FeSO4 or iron chelates (0.5%
solution) as foliar application.

7. Zinc deficiency
SYMPTOMS:
It prevents internode elongation and result in crowding
of the top most leaves producing a fan - shaped
appearance.
Affected plants lack vigour and yield poorly.
MANAGEMENT:
Apply ZnSO4 commonly at 25- 30 kg/ha or zinc chelates
at 10 kg/ha
In standing crops, spray 3 kg ZnSO4 + 1.5 kg un-salked
lime in 500 liters water on 2 or 3 weeks after seeding
emergence.

8. THANK YOU