Calcium deficiency

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Marginal necrosis developing on young leaves (J. O'Sullivan).

Diagnostic summary

  • What you see on plants

(only some of the following features may be present)

- necrosis on lateral margins of young, expanding leaves (but not youngest leaf and tip except in severe cases).

- necrotic young leaves may be shed, leaving bare stem below the tip.

- necrotic spots on mid and older leaves, roundish but irregular in shape and symmetrically arranged.

- storage roots may be soft, very small and misshapen.

- fibrous root growth is inhibited.

  • Occurs in  light-textured acid soils, with low cation exchange capacity.  May be exacerbated by heavy application of potassium fertiliser (which can inhibit calcium uptake).

Characteristics and occurrence

Symptoms

Confusion with other symptoms

Diagnostic tests

Management

References

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