Nutrient deficiency Physiological disorder

Look for

Yellowing or reddening of leaves, discoloured or aborting fruits and flowers, and poor plant growth. Fruits can become misshapen and display brown leathery patches.

Plants affected

• All plants can be affected.

About Nutrient deficiency

• In order to develop and complete their life-cycle without sustaining damage to new growth, flowers or fruit, plants require nutrients.
• To maximise efficiency, nutrient supply to plants should be balanced to meet individual needs.
• The main nutrients required are carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, phosphorous and potassium.
• In addition to these, a number of less essential nutrients known as secondary nutrients are used by a plant to optimise its growth.
• There are also many micro nutrients used in tiny amounts by specific plant species.
• Main nutrients contribute to production of chlorophyll, fruit set and yield, defence against adverse environmental conditions, leaf loss, and certain diseases. They also aid in the healthy growth of roots, leaves and flowers.

Treatment

Chemical

Products containing the following chemical ingredients are all effective on Nutrient deficiency

• Nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous fertilisers.
• Calcium ammonium nitrate
• Ammonium nitrate
• Urea
• Potassium chloride
• Potassium sulphate
• Calcium carbonate

Note: It is important to read manufacturer's instructions for use and the associated safety data information before applying chemical treatments.

Organic

• Incorporating farmyard manure, composted plant material, leaf mould and other natural sources of nutrients will ensure healthy plant growth.

Prevention

• Establish a regular feeding programme for all potted and hanging basket plants, and those grown in a greenhouse.
• Apply a suitable liquid feed to your garden plants at regular intervals when watering.
• Apply a suitable granular feed to your lawn at seasonal intervals as indicated.
• Incorporate slow release fertiliser granules into all compost used for potting plants.
• Dig sources of plant nutrients such as garden compost or well-rotted manure into flower beds and vegetable patches, or place around the bases of existing plants.
• Scarify, top-dress, and aerate lawns at the beginning and end of growing seasons.