Nutrient deficiency (or toxicity) will usually produce abnormal looking
leaves. The appearance of such abnormalities often causes growers to
conclude that the nutrient is deficient in a particular element.
However, assuming a ‘complete’
nutrient formulation* is being used, nutrient deficiencies will
typically be caused by the following:
+
EC or
feed frequency is too low.
+
Nutrient is dumped too infrequently
(re-circulating systems).
+
Nutrient pH is inadequate.
+
Humidity is too high.
*Be aware of using nutrient formulations that do not offer a separate
formulation for vegetative
and flowering/fruiting phase.
Nutrient deficiency symptoms
Foliar symptoms can easily be confused with those caused by pests or
diseases. However, as a general rule, nutrient deficiencies (or
toxicities) yield ‘regular’ patterns on the leaf. For example,
'yellowing' of the veins. Pests and diseases however,
generally produce ‘irregular’ marks.
Some common symptoms of nutrient deficiency
are:
