Nutrients

P Phosphorus
Mg Magnesium

Pineapple - Discolouration

Symptoms
Red discoloration of the leaf tissue, beginning from the leaf center. Leaf margins remain green for a certain time. Small necrotic spots, sometimes surrounded by a pale, yellowish-green color, may appear on the lower leaves. Leaf tips become necrotic and shrivel.

Reasons
Phosphorus deficiency Phosphorus is necessary in relatively high concentration just prior to and during blossom-bud differentiation, or severe losses in yields occur.

Phosphorus deficiency made worse by

  • Acidic or very alkaline (calcareaus) soils
  • Low organic matter
  • Cold or wet conditions
  • Crops with a poorly developed root system
  • Soils with low P reserves
  • Soils with a high phosphate capacity
  • Iron rich soils

Phosphorus is important for

  • Energy transfer
  • Nucleic acid formation
  • Protein synthesis
  • Cell membrane component
  • Carbohydrate metabolism