🌿 Deficiency Symptom Chart

Deficiency Symptom Chart | The Trend Vault Blog

Quick Visual Guide

Symptom	Location	Likely Deficiency	Quick Fix
Yellow lower leaves	Old/lower leaves first	Nitrogen (N)	Urea, fish emulsion, compost
Yellow between veins	New/young leaves	Iron (Fe)	Iron chelate, lower pH
Yellow between veins	Old leaves	Magnesium (Mg)	Epsom salt
Purple tint	Leaves, stems	Phosphorus (P)	Bone meal, rock phosphate
Brown edges/tips	Leaf margins	Potassium (K)	Wood ash, potash
Tip burn (brown tips)	Young leaves	Calcium (Ca)	Calcium nitrate, lime
Pale yellow overall	New growth	Sulfur (S)	Epsom salt, sulfur

Mobile vs. Immobile Nutrients

Understanding this concept is KEY to identifying deficiencies correctly!

📱 Mobile Nutrients

Shows on OLD/LOWER leaves first

How it works: Plant can move these nutrients from old leaves to new growth when deficient.

The Mobile 5: N, P, K, Mg, Zn

Nitrogen (N) – Most common deficiency
Phosphorus (P)
Potassium (K)
Magnesium (Mg)
Zinc (Zn)

📍 Diagnosis tip: If symptoms appear on LOWER/OLDER leaves first → It’s a mobile nutrient

📌 Immobile Nutrients

Shows on NEW/UPPER leaves first

How it works: Plant CANNOT move these from old to new growth. Deficiency shows in newest growth.

The Immobile 8: Ca, S, Fe, B, Cu, Mn, Mo, Cl

Calcium (Ca)
Sulfur (S)
Iron (Fe) – Common in alkaline soil
Boron (B)
Copper (Cu)
Manganese (Mn)
Molybdenum (Mo)
Chlorine (Cl)

📍 Diagnosis tip: If symptoms appear on UPPER/NEW leaves first → It’s an immobile nutrient

Macronutrients (NPK + Secondary)

1. Nitrogen (N) Deficiency

Mobile – Shows on OLD leaves first

Visual Symptoms:

🟡 Yellow lower leaves (oldest affected first)
Entire leaf turns yellow uniformly
Upper leaves remain green (for now)
Stunted growth, small leaves
Weak, spindly stems
Early leaf drop

Why It Happens:

Most common deficiency
Poor soil, old potting mix
Heavy rain leaching nitrogen
High carbon mulch (wood chips) tying up nitrogen

Solutions (Choose One):

Product	N Content	Application	Cost	Speed
Urea	46% N	1 tsp per plant, water in	₹40-80/kg	5-7 days
Fish Emulsion	5-1-1	2 tbsp per 4L water, spray/water	₹300-500/L	3-5 days
Compost	1-2% N	Top-dress 2-3 inches	Free-₹50/kg	2-4 weeks
Blood Meal	12-14% N	2 tbsp per plant, mix into soil	₹200-400/kg	1-2 weeks

2. Phosphorus (P) Deficiency

Mobile – Shows on OLD leaves first

Visual Symptoms:

🟣 Purple or reddish tint on leaves, stems
Dark green leaves with purple undersides
Stunted, slow growth
Poor root development
Delayed flowering/fruiting
Small, few fruits

Why It Happens:

Cold soil (<55°F/13°C) locks up phosphorus
High pH (>7.5) or low pH (<5.5)
Compacted soil

Solutions:

Product	P Content	How To Use	Cost
Bone Meal	15-20% P	Mix 2-3 tbsp into soil per plant	₹150-300/kg
Rock Phosphate	20-30% P	Work into soil, slow-release	₹200-400/kg
DAP (Diammonium Phosphate)	18-46-0	1 tsp per plant, water in	₹50-100/kg

3. Potassium (K) Deficiency

Mobile – Shows on OLD leaves first

Visual Symptoms:

🟫 Brown, scorched leaf edges and tips
Yellowing between veins on older leaves
Weak stems, plants fall over easily
Poor disease resistance
Small, poor-quality fruits
Leaves may curl down

Solutions:

Product	K Content	Application	Cost
Wood Ash	3-7% K	Sprinkle lightly, water in	Free
Potash (MOP)	60% K	1 tsp per plant, water well	₹50-100/kg
Banana Peel Tea	Variable	Soak peels 2 days, dilute, water	Free
Kelp Meal	1-2% K + micronutrients	2 tbsp per plant, work into soil	₹400-600/kg

4. Calcium (Ca) Deficiency

Immobile – Shows on NEW leaves first

Visual Symptoms:

🟤 Blossom-end rot on tomatoes, peppers (black sunken end)
Tip burn on lettuce, cabbage
Young leaves deformed, curled
Weak root tips
Bitter pit in apples

Solutions:

Product	How To Use	Speed	Cost
Calcium Nitrate	1 tsp per 4L water, spray leaves weekly	Fast (5-7 days)	₹200-400/kg
Garden Lime	Mix into soil, water well	Slow (4-6 weeks)	₹40-80/kg
Eggshells (crushed)	Grind fine, mix into soil	Very slow (2-3 months)	Free
Gypsum	Work into soil (doesn’t change pH)	Medium (2-3 weeks)	₹50-100/kg

⚠️ Important: Inconsistent watering often causes blossom-end rot, not just Ca deficiency!

5. Magnesium (Mg) Deficiency

Mobile – Shows on OLD leaves first

Visual Symptoms:

🟡 Yellow between veins (veins stay green) – interveinal chlorosis
Starts on lower/older leaves
May develop brown spots eventually
Leaf edges may curl up

Easy Fix:

Product	How To Use	Results
Epsom Salt (MgSO₄)	1 tbsp per 4L water. Water soil or spray leaves.	Improvement in 5-7 days

💡 Pro Tip: Epsom salt is cheap (₹50-100/kg) and very effective. Keep some on hand!

6. Sulfur (S) Deficiency

Immobile – Shows on NEW leaves first

Visual Symptoms:

🟨 Pale yellow new growth (entire leaf, unlike nitrogen)
Similar to nitrogen but affects young leaves
Stunted growth
Thin, weak stems

Solution:

Epsom Salt (MgSO₄) – Provides both Mg and S. Apply as above.

OR Elemental Sulfur – Mix into soil to lower pH and provide S (₹80-150/kg)

Micronutrients

Iron (Fe) Deficiency

Immobile – NEW leaves affected

Visual Symptoms:

🟨 Yellow leaves with GREEN veins on new growth
Severe: Entire new leaves turn white/yellow
Very common in alkaline soil (pH >7.0)

Solutions:

Iron Chelate (EDTA Fe) – Spray on leaves or add to soil. Works in 3-5 days. (₹300-500/250g)
Lower soil pH – Add sulfur or peat moss. Iron becomes available at pH 5.5-6.5
Avoid overwatering – Waterlogged soil causes iron lockout

Other Micronutrient Deficiencies

Nutrient	Symptoms	Solution
Boron (B)	Thick, brittle leaves. Hollow stems. Poor fruit set.	Boric acid: 1 tsp per 4L water (₹50-100/100g)
Zinc (Zn)	Small leaves. Short internodes. Leaf rosetting.	Zinc sulfate: 1 tsp per 4L water, spray (₹150-300/kg)
Manganese (Mn)	Yellow spots between veins on young leaves.	Manganese sulfate: 1 tsp per 4L water (₹200-400/kg)
Copper (Cu)	Wilting tips. Multiple shoots (witches broom).	Copper sulfate: Very dilute spray (₹150-300/kg)
Molybdenum (Mo)	Yellow older leaves. Similar to nitrogen.	Sodium molybdate: Tiny amount (₹500-800/100g)

💡 Easier Option: Complete micronutrient mix (contains all) – ₹200-400/250g

Step-by-Step Diagnosis

Step 1: Where Are Symptoms?

Lower/Older leaves: N, P, K, Mg, or Zn (mobile nutrients)
Upper/New leaves: Ca, S, Fe, B, Cu, Mn, Mo (immobile nutrients)

Step 2: What Do You See?

Uniform yellowing: Nitrogen (old leaves) or Sulfur (new leaves)
Yellow between veins: Mg (old) or Fe (new)
Brown edges/tips: Potassium or Calcium
Purple tint: Phosphorus

Step 3: Check pH

Wrong pH locks out nutrients even if present:

pH <6.0: P, Ca, Mg become unavailable
pH >7.5: Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu become unavailable
Ideal pH: 6.0-7.0 for most plants

Step 4: Apply Correct Treatment

Use the tables above to choose the right amendment!

Complete Fertilizer Solutions

Balanced NPK Fertilizers

Type	NPK Ratio	Best For	Cost
General Purpose	10-10-10 or 20-20-20	All plants, maintenance	₹100-200/kg
Growth (Veg)	20-10-10 (high N)	Leafy growth phase	₹150-300/kg
Bloom (Flowering)	10-30-20 (high P)	Flowering, fruiting	₹150-300/kg
Micronutrient Mix	+ Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, Mo	Complete nutrition	₹200-400/250g

Organic Options

Compost: 2-1-1 ratio, slow-release, improves soil (Free-₹50/kg)
Vermicompost: 2-2-2 + micronutrients (₹80-150/kg)
Seaweed/Kelp: Low NPK but rich micronutrients (₹400-600/kg)
Fish Emulsion: 5-1-1, fast-acting (₹300-500/L)

Prevention is Better Than Treatment

Regular Feeding Schedule

Containers: Feed weekly with dilute liquid fertilizer
Garden beds: Feed monthly with balanced fertilizer
Add compost: 2-3 inches every 3-4 months
Mulch: Helps retain nutrients, prevents leaching

Soil Testing

DIY pH Test Kit: ₹200-500 (check pH monthly)

Complete Soil Test: ₹500-1,500 (do yearly, tells you exactly what’s missing)

Signs You’re Doing It Right

Consistent green color
Steady growth
No unusual discoloration
Good flowering and fruiting