Identification and Remedial Measures for Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms in Eggplant
During the growth and development of eggplant, once a certain element is deficient, the plant's external morphology generally shows corresponding deficiency symptoms, and in production this is mostly used as the basis for diagnosing nutrient deficiencies. Nitrogen deficiency: when eggplant lacks nitrogen, the leaf color becomes pale, old leaves turn yellow, and in severe cases they dry up and fall off, flower buds stop developing and turn yellow, and the heart...
During the growth and development of eggplant, once a certain element is deficient, the plant's external morphology generally shows corresponding deficiency symptoms, and in production this is mostly used as the basis for diagnosing nutrient deficiencies.
Nitrogen deficiency: when eggplant lacks nitrogen, the leaf color becomes pale, old leaves turn yellow, and in severe cases they dry up and fall off, flower buds stop developing and turn yellow, and the heart leaves become smaller. Remedial measures: when nitrogen deficiency is found in the plant, promptly apply quick-acting nitrogen fertilizers such as urea and ammonium bicarbonate or human excrement and urine, or spray the foliage with a 0.3%-0.5% urea solution.
Calcium deficiency: when eggplant lacks calcium, the plant grows slowly, the growing point becomes deformed, the leaf margins of young leaves lose their green color, the netted veins of the leaves turn brown, showing rust-like leaves. Remedial measures: when calcium deficiency is found in the plant, promptly supplement calcium fertilizer, or spray the foliage with a 20% calcium chloride solution, spraying once every 5 days for 2-3 consecutive sprays.
Phosphorus deficiency: when eggplant lacks phosphorus, the stems are slender, the fibers are well developed, flower bud differentiation and the fruiting period are prolonged, the leaves become smaller, the color deepens, and the leaf veins turn red. Remedial measures: when phosphorus deficiency is found in the plant, spray the foliage with a 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution or a 0.5% superphosphate extract.
Potassium deficiency: when eggplant lacks potassium, the heart leaves become smaller at the initial stage, growth is slower, and the leaf color becomes pale; at the later stage, the areas between the veins lose their green color, yellow-white patches appear, and the leaf tips and margins gradually dry up. Remedial measures: when potassium deficiency is found in the plant, promptly increase the application of potassium fertilizer and organic fertilizer; generally 10-15 kg of potassium sulfate or potassium chloride can be used per mu, applied in furrows opened on both sides of the plant; spray the foliage with a 0.2%-0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution or a 10% wood ash extract.
Magnesium deficiency: when eggplant lacks magnesium, the tissue near the leaf veins, especially near the main leaf veins, turns yellow, the leaves lose their green color, the fruits become smaller, and development is poor. In production, magnesium deficiency in eggplant is relatively common. Remedial measures: when magnesium deficiency is found in the plant, increase the application of magnesium-containing fertilizers such as magnesium sulfate, magnesium chloride, and magnesium nitrate; these fertilizers are all soluble in water and easily absorbed and utilized. A 1%-3% magnesium sulfate solution or a 1% magnesium nitrate solution can also be sprayed on the foliage.
Iron deficiency: when eggplant lacks iron, young leaves and new leaves appear yellow-white, with the leaf veins remaining green. Iron deficiency often occurs under conditions of acidic soil, heavy fertilization, and high humidity. Remedial measures: when iron deficiency is found in the plant, spray the foliage with a 0.5%-1% ferrous sulfate solution.
Boron deficiency: when eggplant lacks boron, the top leaves turn yellow and wilt downward, the top stems and petioles break, the interior turns black, and cork-like cracks appear on the stems. Remedial measures: when boron deficiency is found in the plant, promptly spray the foliage with a 0.05%-0.2% borax solution or boric acid solution.
Manganese deficiency: when eggplant lacks manganese, the areas between the veins of new leaves appear yellow-green, soon turn brown, and the leaf veins remain green. Remedial measures: when manganese deficiency is found in the plant, spray the foliage with a 1% manganese sulfate solution.
Zinc deficiency: when eggplant lacks zinc, the leaves are small and appear clustered, yellow spots appear on new leaves and gradually spread toward the leaf margins, causing the entire leaf to turn yellow. Remedial measures: when zinc deficiency is found in the plant, spray the foliage with a 0.1% zinc sulfate solution.
Molybdenum deficiency: when eggplant lacks molybdenum, starting from the fruit enlargement stage, yellow spots appear between the leaf veins, and the leaf margins curl inward. Remedial measures: when molybdenum deficiency is found in the plant, spray the foliage with a 0.01%-0.1% ammonium molybdate solution.