Many growers see trace element deficiencies as the next nutritional barrier to improving productivity. Recognizing the preventing signs is key to preempting any yield loss. Here we explain how to distinguish the lack of Manganese and Zinc in plants.
Prevention is better than cure. Before any signs of Manganese and Zinc deficiency, growers’ priority is to secure higher yield potential. Monitoring the plant’s intake and visual signs can contain crop yield loss. In the photos above, we see a vine leaf deficient in manganese and a rice leaf deficient in zinc.
At Van Iperen, we’ve asked our Agronomists for some hints to spot any of these deficiencies in advance.
Symptoms of Manganese deficiency in crops
Manganese’s (Mn) function in plants is to boost photosynthetic activity and induce early growth. Pieces of evidence of Manganese shortage are:
- Yellowing of leaves with smallest leaf veins remaining green to produce a ‘chequered’ effect
These images correspond to a lack of manganese in pear and cucumber leaves, respectively.
Symptoms of Zinc deficiency in crops
Zinc (Zn) supports the plant in the early growth and development of fruit. It boosts bud growth which brings strong fruit sets and healthy berries. Lack of Zinc in crops can show the following signs:
- In the early stages, younger leaves turn yellow
- Mature leaves develop pitting in interveinal upper surfaces
- In many plants (especially in trees), leaves become very small and internodes shorten, resulting in a rosette (circular) shape
- Blindwood
Below, we can see examples of lack of zinc in avocado and orange leaves.
How to treat the lack of Zinc and Manganese in plants?
To treat Zinc and Manganese deficiencies in plants, Van Iperen offers FoliaStim® Mn Zn Liquid. Our biostimulant is part of our Algae Solutions range with a formulation containing 15% seaweed and EDTA chelates. The synergy between our seaweed extract and Manganese and Zinc in our formula improves photosynthesis and growth of new healthy roots, vigorous shoots, and flower buds.
Our biostimulant can be used as of early spring until fruit setting or as part of post-harvest treatments on perennials to help build up reserves into dormant buds.
As part of our Micronutrient range, growers can choose other fertilizers such as Oligo Manganese-IDHA 9% and Oligo Zinc-IDHA 10% to correct the nutrient imbalance in their crops. Take a look at our product range!
For further info on how to treat other nutrient deficiencies in plants, you can read other news articles such as ‘Common nutrients deficiencies in plants (I): Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus’, ‘Common nutrients deficiencies in plants (II): a shortage of Magnesium and Calcium’ or ‘Trace Elements in Plant Nutrition (I): Boron and Molybdenum‘.