Managing Pests in Gardens: Vegetables: Environmental Disorders: Nutrient deficiencies

Pests in Gardens and Landscapes

Nutrient deficiencies

Deficiencies can cause foliage to discolor, fade, distort, or become spotted. Fewer leaves, flowers, and fruit may be produced, and these may develop later than normal and remain undersized. Commercial laboratories can conduct foliage tests or soil analysis to verify deficiencies. Typical symptoms vary among vegetable species.

Nitrogen-deficient potato plant

Older leaves are yellowish; new growth sparse, undersized; plants grow slowly and foliage may drop

Zinc-deficient potato Leaves are yellow or purplish; new growth may be stunted or delayed, small or narrow	Iron-deficient tomato New foliage is small and yellowish, although green along veins; dead spots may develop between veins or on leaf tips.
Phosphorus-deficient tomato Seedlings grow slowly and have purple leaves; symptoms seldom appear on mature plants	Potassium-deficient tomato Leaf tissue between the main veins turns yellow while the leaves remain green; leaves may roll and edges may burn

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How to Manage Pests

Pests in Gardens and Landscapes

Nutrient deficiencies