This document discusses the deficiency symptoms and roles in plant nutrition of several important plant nutrients: potassium, sulphur, calcium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, boron, iron, zinc, and copper. It outlines the symptoms that appear when each nutrient is deficient, such as chlorosis, necrosis, and stunted growth. It also describes the key roles each nutrient plays in plant processes like enzyme activation, photosynthesis, and protein synthesis.

1. POTASSIUM
• DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS: Mottles
Chlorosis, necrosis (especially at tips and
margins between veins). Older leaves
most affected. In cereals, weak stalks,
roots more susceptible to disease
• ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITIONEnzyme
activator and coenzyme functions. Protein
synthesis. Stomata function, turgor
potential

2. Potassium deficiency

3. SULPHUR
• DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS : General
yellowing of young leaves. Usually no
necrosis of leaves. Reduced or stunted
growth
• ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITION
Constituent of proteins, amino acids
(thiamine), coenzymes A and vitamins
(biotin). Necessary for synthesis of oils in
plants

4. Sulphur deficiency

5. CALCIUM
• DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS: Bitter pit in
fruit. Loss of fruit firmness. Corky fruits.
Senescent breakdown of fruit. Low
storage potential of fruit. Blossom end rot
of tomatoes. Cavity spot in carrots
• ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITIONCell
division and elongation. Proper working
and permeability of cell membranes

6. Calcium deficiency

7. • Calcium deficiency in strawberries

8. MAGNESIUM
• DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS Inter-veinal
Chlorosis. Symptoms appear first on older
leaves. Reduced crop growth
• ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITION Part of
the chlorophyll molecule. Involved in
phosphate and nitrogen metabolism
Involved in protein synthesis. Involved in
water uptake by the plant

9. Magnesium deficiency

10. MANGANESE
• DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS: Inter-veinal
Chlorosis (marbling) of younger leaves.
Pale stiping and brown spots on cereals.
Floppy plants (cereals). Upright growth
habit and triangular leaves on sugar beet
• ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITIONActivator
of many enzyme processes. Involved in
nitrate reduction. Necessary for
photosynthesis. Protein synthesis

11. Manganese deficiency

12. • Manganese Deficient Beans

13. MOLYBDENUM
• DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS Reduced
plant growth (symptoms of N deficiency)
Reduced leaf area (whiptail in
cauliflowers)
• ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITIONNecessary
for nitrogen metabolism. Necessary for
chlorophyll. Involved in iron and
phosphate metabolism

14. Molybdenum deficiency

15. BORON
• DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS Leaf
distortion and leaf texture changes. Death
of growing points. Cracking and rotting.
Poor fertilization and fruit set
• ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITIONMeristem
growth. Carbohydrate metabolism.
Synthesis of nucleic acids. Pollen
germination

16. Boron deficiency

17. IRON
• DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMSYellowing
(Chlorosis) of youngest leaves
• MADE WORSE BYHigh pH soils.
Calcareous soils. High levels of copper.
Poorly drained crops
• ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITIONNecessary
for the formation of chlorophyll. Necessary
for photosynthesis. Necessary for the
formation of proteins

18. Iron deficiency

19. ZINC
• DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMSStunted
plants. Pale stripes to the leaf mid rib
(maize). Formation of rosettes (fruit
trees)Formation of small leaves. Chlorosis
of young leaves
• ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITIONNecessary
for the correct functioning of many
enzyme systems. Necessary for the
synthesis of nucleic acids. Necessary for
auxcin (plant hormone) metabolism

20. Zinc deficiency

21. COPPER
• DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS: Spiralling of
leaves, especially the flag leaf of cereals.
Chlorosis of lead tips. Stunted plants.
Poorly filled ears (cereals)
• MADE WORSE BYOrganic, chalky or
sandy soils. Reclaimed health land. High
nitrogen application
• ROLE IN PLANT NUTRITIONInvolved
in may enzyme processes. Necessary for
proper photosynthesis. Involved in the
manufacture of lignin (cell walls). Involved
in grain production

22. Copper deficiency