Sunday 23rd January 2022
Do you know that plants require 16 essential nutrients to grow normally? Those are 10 more than the human body requires. Nutrient deficiency is when a plant lacks a sufficient supply of a single essential nutrient required for growth. Without sufficient essential nutrients, plants will suffer stunted growth and show various symptoms to express the deficiency.Nitrogen deficiency is no different. Nitrogen is an essential nutrient that plants get in a constant supply in the form of ammonia, or nitrates, resulting from nitrogen fixation by free-living bacteria in the soil or bacteria living symbiotically in nodules on the roots of legumes.
By knowing how to control nitrogen deficiency in plants with organic and mineral methods, growers can improve yields. Remote sensing can assist agronomists in identifying the problem early. Early problem detection also facilitates a successful outcome in dealing with nitrogen deficiency.
But how can growers identify nitrogen deficiency?
How to Detect Nitrogen Deficiency in Plants
Generally, plants that are deficient in nitrogen have stunted growth, in addition to other symptoms, depending on the severity of the deficiency. Among these symptoms is;
The Older Leaves Turn Yellow
When a plant lacks sufficient Nitrogen, you can suspect it pretty early since it can be visually noticed on leaves. The pale-green colour and yellowing are among nitrogen deficiency symptoms in plants, alongside other nutrient deficiencies. This happens because chlorophyll disappears from the leaves. Chlorophyll is vital to plants because it is essential for photosynthesis You'll first see the colour change happen in the older leaves at the bottom of the plant because plants prioritize transporting the available nitrogen to their young leaves and growing points first.
Stunted Growth
Eventually, the growth of plants will stop as a result, and leaves will fall off. Nitrogen is needed by plants to promote rapid growth especially for fruit and seed development. It changes root development: roots grow faster than shoots. Intensive root growth is the so-called forage response to N starvation, which makes plants explore more areas for the vital nutrient, according to academic.oup. On the contrary, if there’s excess N availability, plants reduce root growth to minimise toxicity.
Stem Colour Changes
This is another common symptom of Nitrogen deficiency in plants. After the plants' leaves fall off and they cannot grow back because of stunted growth, the stems are next in line. Stems are mostly green in colour, and due to Nitrogen deficiency, they start to turn purple or reddish.
What Causes Nitrogen Deficiency
There are certain circumstances that may provoke Nitrogen drops in plants. Growers must know them so that they can keep the situation under control. Some of the most typical nitrogen deficiency causes are:
- Nitrogen deficiency depends on the type of soil. It’s mostly typical for sandy and other well-drained soils that witness fast nutrient leaching.
- Excessive irrigation and heavy rains cause nitrogen deficiency due to overwatering. The excess water can end up carrying away the essential nutrients, including Nitrogen.
- Soils that lack moisture have lower absorption rate of Nitrogen and other water-soluble nutrients by plant roots.
- Proper soil aeration provides enough oxygen to facultative aerobic Nitrogen-fixing bacteria that supply organic Nitrogen to plants and prevent Nitrogen starvation. If air content in soils is low, denitrifying bacteria will use nitrates instead. This means that they cannot effectively perform their job.
- Soil temperature affects nutrient dissolution and microbial activity to release plant-ingestible Nitrogen. Thus, the cooler the soil, the lower the amount of Nitrogen the crops can get.
- Soil salinity impacts nutrient absorption negatively due to significant shifts in osmotic pressure, thus decreasing Nitrogen uptake by crops.
- High soil acidity is another factor that also affects the availability of Nitrogen for use by crops. Either extremely high or low pH is unfavourable.
- High N solubility is also among the common causes of nitrogen deficiency. Nitrogen is highly soluble in water so it is easily dissolved and washed away from the soil.
- Unavailability or low organic matter in the soil means low levels of Nitrogen available to plants. This happens since organic matter is a natural source of essential Nitrogen to crops.
What is the Essence of Nitrogen to Plants?
Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for your plant. It is required for the creation of chlorophyll. In turn, chlorophyll is needed for photosynthesis, and you probably know that plants need photosynthesis to manufacture their own food, and eventually grow.
Additionally, nitrogen is part of the essential amino acids. These acids are used to form proteins. Proteins are needed for every conceivable process in the plant. For instance, they stimulate growth and promote fruit development.
The importance of Nitrogen to plants cannot be ignored if growers want to have healthy plants and high yields.
Additionally, nitrogen is part of the essential amino acids. These acids are used to form proteins. Proteins are needed for every conceivable process in the plant. For instance, they stimulate growth and promote fruit development.
The importance of Nitrogen to plants cannot be ignored if growers want to have healthy plants and high yields.
How to Fix Nitrogen Deficiency in Plants
Tackling nitrogen deficiency in plants can be done via organic and chemical methods. However, prevention of nitrogen deficiency in crops tackles the issue beforehand.
Prevention Under normal circumstances, it takes time before a nitrogen deficiency in crops can take full effect. However, during intense stress or a growth spurt, the plant is more susceptible to deficiencies. By using one of our basic nutrients such as Angus Sulphate of Ammonia and Soluble Calcium Nitrate, you will reduce the likelihood of a deficiency. Also, always keep abiotic factors such as temperature, light, and moisture optimum.
Prevention Under normal circumstances, it takes time before a nitrogen deficiency in crops can take full effect. However, during intense stress or a growth spurt, the plant is more susceptible to deficiencies. By using one of our basic nutrients such as Angus Sulphate of Ammonia and Soluble Calcium Nitrate, you will reduce the likelihood of a deficiency. Also, always keep abiotic factors such as temperature, light, and moisture optimum.
Organic Control
Organic matter from other plants and animals not only adds vital nutrients for plants but also improves the soil structure and helps retain soil moisture. Basic sources of organic Nitrogen supply include compost, animal manure, and green manure.
Chemical Methods
Inorganic amendments suggest using synthesized Nitrogen-containing fertilizers to promote crop recovery from nitrogen deficiency. These fertilizers include
magnesium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, and urea. Soil testing before a cropping season will help understand the required corrections of pH and nutrient content.
Nitrogen fertilizers come in all sizes and types, ranging from granular, and soluble to straights and those containing micronutrients.
magnesium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, and urea. Soil testing before a cropping season will help understand the required corrections of pH and nutrient content.
Nitrogen fertilizers come in all sizes and types, ranging from granular, and soluble to straights and those containing micronutrients.
All the mentioned fertilisers are available on our website. You can check them out and contact us to get them delivered to you with appropriate advice.