Micronutrient deficiency symptoms in crops: a field guide
How to recognise zinc, boron, iron, manganese, copper and molybdenum deficiency in crops, and what growers do about it.
Micronutrient deficiencies show as specific leaf and fruit symptoms: zinc causes small leaves and shortened internodes, boron causes flower drop and deformed fruit, iron and manganese cause yellowing between veins on young leaves. Symptoms on young leaves point to immobile nutrients. Confirm with a soil or leaf test before treating.
Symptoms by nutrient
| Nutrient | Where it shows | Typical symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Zinc | Young leaves | Small leaves, short internodes, pale stripes or patches |
| Boron | Growing points, flowers, fruit | Flower and fruit drop, hollow or cracked fruit, dieback of tips |
| Iron | Young leaves | Yellowing between veins, veins stay green |
| Manganese | Young and middle leaves | Interveinal yellowing with small dead spots |
| Copper | Young leaves and shoots | Dieback, distorted young leaves |
| Molybdenum | Older leaves, legumes | Pale, cupped leaves; poor nodulation in legumes |
Young leaves or old leaves?
Nutrients that cannot move within the plant, such as iron, zinc, manganese, copper, boron and calcium, show deficiency first on young growth. Mobile nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium show first on older leaves.
What growers do
- Confirm with a soil or leaf test
- Correct soil pH where it locks nutrients up
- Use chelated forms for foliar and drip on high-pH soils
- Apply humic acid to help keep micronutrients available
Frequently asked questions
Which micronutrient deficiency is most common in India?
Zinc deficiency is the most widespread, followed by boron, iron and manganese in many regions.
How can micronutrient deficiency be corrected?
Confirm with a test, then apply the right micronutrient to soil, by foliar spray or by drip, using chelated forms where pH limits availability.
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