Container Nursery Crop Nutrient Deficiencies（容器苗圃作物营养不足）.pdf

Container Nursery Crop Nutrient Deficiencies A Photo Library, Descriptions Acceptable Levels Dr. Jim Midcap University of Georgia When nursery crops exhaust the nutrients needed for growth, they may exhibit specific deficiency symptoms. This color photo library and descriptions will aid in the identification of these deficiency symptoms. Testing is still necessary to confirm the deficiency, and the listing of acceptable levels will aid in interpreting the media and tissue nutrient levels. Introduction Nutrient deficiency symptoms can be used as an indicator of possible nutrient problems. However, potting media and plant tissue analysis are necessary to confirm the specific nutrient diagnosis and potential cause. Deficiency symptoms can be caused by imbalances of nutrients in the potting mix or plant. Multiple deficiencies can cause symptoms that are not typical of any of the individual deficient elements. Symptoms can also occur if the plant is unable to take up nutrients from the potting mix due to nonfunctional plant roots, improper pH, or disease infested roots. Deficiency symptoms may be very distinct on one crop while less distinct on another. Therefore, what we consider typical symptoms may occur on most crops, but don=t fit the expected symptoms on other crops. With the large variety of woody crops in the nursery, we expect to see some variation in symptoms on different crops that are caused by the same deficiency. Some crops (indicator plants) are also more sensitive to low levels of nutrients and would express symptoms, while more tolerant crops would have no expressed symptoms. The deficiency symptoms of phosphorous, potassium, calcium, sulfur, boron, copper and zinc are rarely seen or recognized in woody plants, although