Plant Deficiency Disease

Key Stage 4

Meaning

Plant deficiency diseases are diseases in plants caused by a lack of certain minerals.

About Plant Deficiency Diseases

Plants gain minerals from the soil, so when the soil lacks certain minerals the plant can become ill.

The three minerals most essential to a plants growth are Nitrates, Phosphates, Potassium, Manganese and Magnesium

Nitrate Deficiency

With a Nitrate deficiency the upper leaves grow light green and lower leaves are yellow and begin to shrivel.

Phosphate Deficiency

With a Phosphate deficiency the leaves grow dark and are regularly lost. Often the younger leaves are purple.

With a Phosphate deficiency the leaves grow dark and are regularly lost. Often the younger leaves are purple.

Potassium Deficiency

With a Potassium deficiency the tips and edges of young leaves are yellow. Over time more yellow patches or dead areas appear on the leaves.

Manganese Deficiency

With a Manganese deficiency yellow spots and holes appear between the plant veins.

Magnesium Deficiency

With a Magnesium deficiency the lower leaves develop a yellow area which grows from the tips of the leaves spreading over the whole leaf while the veins remain green.

References

AQA

Deficiency diseases (in plants), page 151, GCSE Biology, CGP, AQA