Strawberries - Discolouration
Symptoms
Symptoms begin at mature leaves. Leaves are dark green and a bit smaller than normal. With ongoing phosphorus deficiency leaf blades show a purple tint. Tinting becomes brighter as leaves age and approach early senescence. Fruits and flowers tend to be smaller and fruits can develop albinism.
Reasons
Phosphorus deficiency
Petioles of phosphorus deficient leaves contain less then 700ppm acetic acid soluble phosphate-phosphorus, dry basis.
Strawberries - Discolouration
Symptoms
Symptoms begin at mature leaves. Leaves are dark green and a bit smaller than normal. With ongoing phosphorus deficiency leaf blades show a purple tint. Tinting becomes brighter as leaves age and approach early senescence.
Reasons
Phosphorus deficiency
Petioles of phosphorus deficient leaves contain less then 700ppm acetic acid soluble phosphate-phosphorus, dry basis.
Strawberries - Discolouration
Symptoms
Symptoms begin at mature leaves. Leaves are dark green and smaller than normal. With ongoing phosphorus deficiency leaf blades show a purple tint. Tinting becomes brighter as leaves age and approach early senescence.
Reasons
Severe phosphorus deficiency
Petioles of phosphorus deficient leaves contain less then 700ppm acetic acid soluble phosphate-phosphorus, dry basis.
Strawberries - Chlorosis
Symptoms
The first indications of a deficiency are a dull, deep green or bluish-purple discoloration of the plant and a reduction in leaf size. As the deficiency worsens the upper surface of the leaves develops a dark, metallic sheen while the underside becomes reddish-purple. Mature leaflets show marginal chlorosis with subsequent dark brown necrosis, starting from the leaf tips.
Reasons
Phosphorus deficiency
Symptoms are worse during cold and dry growing conditions and at high pH values, all of which render the P less available.
Phosphorus deficiency made worse by
- Acidic or very alkaline (calcareaus) soils
- Low organic matter
- Cold or wet conditions
- Crops with a poorly developed root system
- Soils with low P reserves
- Soils with a high phosphate capacity
- Iron rich soils
Phosphorus is important for
- Stronger plants, healthier plants with more resistance to cold weather
- Bigger bolder berries
- Improves efficiency of fungicide sprays
- Reduces incidence of botrytis
- Firmer berries with better storage potential
- Increases shelf life