Maize - Growth retardation
Symptoms
Affected plants show stunted, sparse growth.
The leaves turn uniformly pale green. The oldest leaves on the bottom show yellow discoloration and subsequent necrosis proceeding from the leaf tip.
Reasons
Nitrogen deficiency
Sulphur deficiency can cause similar symptoms but starts on the younger leaves, whereas paling due to N deficiency is detectable on older leaves first.
Maize - Growth retardation
Symptoms
Affected plants show spindly, sparse growth.
On the older leaves, V-shaped yellowing on the leaf tips progresses towards the base, so that leaves finally turn uniformly pale green/yellow.
Stalks get a reddish discoloration.
The oldest leaves on the bottom become necrotic.
Reasons
Nitrogen deficiency
Sulphur deficiency can cause similar chloroses but starts on the younger leaves, whereas paling due to N deficiency is detectable on older leaves first.
Maize - Deformation
Symptoms
Leaves turn pale green/yellow beginning along main vein and then from leaf tip (V-shape). Necrosis develops from leaf tip as deficiency continues.
Reasons
Nitrogen deficiency
Maize - Chlorosis
Symptoms
Leaves turn pale green/yellow beginning along main vein and then from leaf tip (V-shape). Necrosis develops from leaf tip as deficiency continues.
Reasons
Nitrogen deficiency
Maize - Growth retardation
Symptoms
Affected plants show stunted, sparse growth.
The leaves turn uniformly pale green.
Reasons
Nitrogen deficiency
Sulphur deficiency can cause similar chloroses but starts on the younger leaves, whereas paling due to N deficiency is detectable on older leaves first
Maize - Size reduced
Symptoms
Reduced cob size and uncomplete cob fill due to N deficiency.
Reasons
Nitrogen deficiency on cob (right)
Nitrogen deficiency made worse by
- Low or high pH soils
- Sandy or light soils (leaching
- ) Low organic matter
- Drought conditions
- High rainfall (leaching) or heavy irrigation
- Addition or high levels of non-decomposed organic matter/manure (eg straw)
- Fast growing crops
Nitrogen is important for
- Lusher, greener growth
- Increased yields and grain quality
- Better cob formation and production