Nitrogen Deficiency

What Does Nitrogen Deficiency Mean?

In plants, nitrogen deficiency is characterized by the presence of yellow leaves. An essential macronutrient for plant development and growth, nitrogen is absorbed to create chlorophyll, which is required for photosynthesis. Because nitrogen is one of the major amino acids, this macronutrient also creates proteins that stimulate fruit development and growth.

Maximum Yield Explains Nitrogen Deficiency

Diagnosing nitrogen deficiency in plants consists of examining it visually. A deficiency in nitrogen causes the leaves to discolor and stunts the plant’s growth. In older plants, a gradual yellowing of the veins may also be noted. In advanced cases, the stems take on a reddish or purple hue and cause the leaves or fruits to fall off.

The major causes of nitrogen deficiency in plants include the following:

• Poor nitrogen content in the substrate or soil
• Excessive chloride in the soil
• High pH in the root environment
• Dysfunctional root system
• Excessive manganese, zinc, or potassium.

In the early stages, it is possible to fix nitrogen deficiency in plants by supplementing with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Nitrogen-fixing plants, such as beans and peas, are also commonly used to improve crops.