Mineral nutrients: benefits and deficiency symptoms

  • Lack of mineral nutrients affects plant growth and health.
  • Symptoms such as yellow leaves indicate specific deficiencies such as nitrogen or magnesium.
  • Applying foliar fertilizer can correct deficiencies and improve production.
  • Knowing the key nutrients is essential for a healthy and productive crop.
aubergine leaf with yellowing

Eggplant leaf lacking in magnesium

Yellow leaves, corked tips, deformed foliage ... Symptoms of of lack of mineral nutrients.

Nitrogen, potassium, calcium ... Plants feed on mineral nutrients that is in the substrate and that they extract through the roots. In order for these nutrients to be absorbed by the plant, they must be dissolved in the water of the substrate.

Potted plants end up needing a extra contribution of nutrients, since its soil becomes poorer as the plant grows.

When you notice symptoms of nutrient deficiencies, you can supply the missing mineral through the irrigation water, either with commercial products, or with ecological products that we will talk about in future posts, as we did with the auxins that we make from lentils.

Each mineral provides a specific benefit to the plant and its deficiency causes a different symptom.

  • Nitrogen. Benefit: growth of leaves and stems. Lack: Pale foliage, poor growth, reddish or yellowish coloration beginning on older leaves.
  • Phosphorus. Benefit: root development. Deficiency: It affects the growth of the entire plant, including flowers and fruits.
  • Potassium. Benefit: flowering and fruiting. Lack: Leaf tips are corked, flowering and fruiting are reduced. In tomatoes, it causes them to ripen by zones.
  • MagnesiumBenefit: Chlorophyll formation. Deficiency: Yellowing of leaves along the veins and around the edges. Start with the oldest leaves.
  • Football. Benefit: Cell formation. Deficiency: Small and deformed foliage, flower and fruit rot.
  • Iron. Benefit: Chlorophyll formation. Deficiency: Yellowing of the most tender leaves around the veins.
  • Manganese. Benefit: Chlorophyll formation. Deficiency: Yellowing of the most tender leaves around the veins.
aubergine leaf with yellowing
Related article:
Mineral nutrients: benefits and deficiency symptoms

More information – .

It is essential to know the symptoms of mineral nutrient deficiency in plants, since proper nutrient management is key to maintaining plant health. A lack of a specific nutrient can lead to imbalances in plant development, affecting their growth and productivity.

An important aspect is knowing how to identify the symptoms. For example, nitrogen, essential for leaf and stem growth, when lacking results in pale foliage. This can lead growers to wonder what is wrong with their plant. A good article on this topic is What's wrong with my plant? where these common concerns are addressed.

Rose with pink and orange tones.
Related article:
Home remedies for rose bushes with yellow leaves

In addition to identification, it is advisable to know what to do in each case. If a deficiency is detected match, for example, it is essential to act quickly, since its deficiency affects the growth of the entire plant, including flowers and fruits. In this sense, applying a good foliar fertilizer can be an effective solution.

deficiency of magnesium It's also a common problem that can be recognized by yellow leaves. In these cases, using specific products to supplement this deficiency can make a big difference. Remember that chlorophyll formation is vital for plant health, and that's why it's important to learn about it. calcium nitrate which can help avoid these types of problems.

When to apply fertilizer
Related article:
When to apply fertilizer to plants?

Nutrient deficiencies can significantly influence fruit production. For example, potassium It is not only associated with flowering, but also with fruiting. A lack of this mineral can cause tomatoes to ripen unevenly, affecting their quality. Therefore, it is advisable to consult resources on San Marzano tomato for better results in tomato cultivation.

The lack of football can lead to cell development problems, while the iron It is crucial for the formation of chlorophyll. It is vital to stay informed about these nutrients and how they affect overall plant health, which can be further explored by reading about symptoms of iron deficiency in plants.

What fertilizer to use for each type of plant
Related article:
What fertilizer to use for each type of plant