Potatoes - Chlorosis
Symptoms
Plants (right) are stunted and leaves show a uniform chlorotic pale green / yellow colouration
Reasons
Nitrogen deficiency
Sulphur deficiency, root parasites (eg PCN), deep drilling of tubers, nightfrosts, water shortage or heavy metal toxicity can cause similar symptoms.
Potatoes - Chlorosis
Symptoms
Leaves (right) are stunted and leaves show a uniform chlorotic pale green/yellow colouration
Reasons
Nitrogen deficiency
Sulphur deficiency, root parasites (eg PCN), deep drilling of tubers, nightfrosts, water shortage or heavy metal toxicity can cause similar symptoms.
Potatoes - Growth retardation
Symptoms
Plants on the left side show uniform pale green leaves and stunted growth. Older leaves usually affected first and these then turn yellow and shed early.
Reasons
Nitrogen deficiency.
Sulphur deficiency, root parasites (eg PCN), deep drilling of tubers, nightfrosts, water shortage or heavy metal toxicity can cause similar symptoms.
Often seen as patches due to poor fertiliser application or soil type
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
- Better crop development
- Improved yield
