Nutrients

N Nitrogen
P Phosphorus
K Potassium
Mg Magnesium
Ca Calcium
S Sulphur
B Boron
Fe Iron
Mn Manganese
Zn Zinc

Banana - Growth retardation

Symptoms
Symptoms of nitrogen deficiency start on older leaves. The leaves become light green and later yellow. With a severe deficiency, the leaves become necrotic and die off. The growth of the whole plant is stunted.

Reasons
Nitrogen deficiency Sulphur deficiency shows similar symptoms with light green or yellow leaves but the symptoms start on younger leaves. With iron deficiency, the leaves become also yellow but the symptoms start on younger leaves and the midrib remains green for some time.

Banana - Growth retardation

Symptoms
Symptoms of nitrogen deficiency start on older leaves. The leaves turn light green and later yellow. At severe deficiency, the leaves become necrotic and die off. The growth of the whole plant is stunted and the leaves are smaller than usual.

Reasons
Nitrogen deficiency Sulphur deficiency shows similar symptoms with light green or yellow leaves, but the symptoms start on younger leaves. The leaves of iron-deficient plants become also yellow but the symptoms start on younger leaves and the midrib remains green for some time.

Banana - Growth retardation

Symptoms
Symptoms of nitrogen deficiency start on older leaves. The leaves turn light green and later yellow. At severe deficiency, the leaves become necrotic and die off. The growth of the whole plant is stunted and the leaves are smaller than usual.

Reasons
Nitrogen deficiency Sulphur deficiency shows similar symptoms with light green or yellow leaves but the symptoms start on younger leaves. With iron deficiency, the leaves become also yellow but the symptoms start on younger leaves and the midrib remains green for some time.

Banana - Growth retardation

Symptoms
Symptoms of nitrogen deficiency start on older leaves. The leaves become light green and later yellow. With a severe deficiency, the leaves become necrotic and die off. The growth of the whole plant is stunted.

Reasons
Nitrogen deficiency Sulphur deficiency shows similar symptoms with light green or yellow leaves but the symptoms start on younger leaves. With iron deficiency, the leaves become also yellow but the symptoms start on younger leaves and the midrib remains green for some time.

Nitrogen deficiency made worse by

  • Low or high pH soils
  • Sandy or light soils (leaching
  • ) Low organic matter
  • Drought conditions
  • High rainfall (leaching) or heavy irrigation
  • Addition or high levels of non-decomposed organic matter/manure (eg straw)
  • Fast growing crops

Nitrogen is important for

  • Key role in many growth processes
  • High demand for growth, yield and quality
  • Increases bunch weight, number of hands/bunch
  • Level of dry matter, sugars and TSS/Acid ratio of fruit improved
  • Helps optimizing vitamin C levels in the fruit
  • Germination and development of daughter suckers