Phosphorus deficiency-Tomato

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Nutrients

Tomato - Deformation

Symptoms
Phosphorus deficiency causes small and rigid leaves, the plant habitus is very erect. Growth is sparse, thus the plant shows a spindly appearence. Total height is almost normal. The bottom leaves show interveinal chloroses and necrotic leaflets.

Reasons
Phosphorus deficiency Leaves with P deficiency are usually dark green to bluish green in color. However, in the present case, there is no dark discoloration detectable.

Tomato - Discolouration

Symptoms
Beginning from the margin, the surface or undersurface of older leaves becomes dark green or purplish red at severe phosphorus deficiency.

Reasons
Phosphorus deficiency on the leaf. Similar symptoms can be found when the tomato plants are grown at too low temperatures since phosphorus uptake is inhibited under these conditions.

Tomato - Chlorosis

Symptoms
In some cultivars, the phosphorus deficiency appears as small brown dots which develop interveinally on the lower leaves. Starting from the leaf margin, chlorotic and subsequently necrotic areas progress. In other cases, the surface or undersurface of older leaves becomes dark green or purplish red at severe phosphorus deficiency.

Reasons
Phosphorus deficiency on the leaf

Tomato - Chlorosis

Symptoms
In some cultivars, the phosphorus deficiency appears as small brown dots which develop interveinally on the lower leaves. Additionally, starting from the leaf margin, chlorotic and subsequently necrotic areas progress. The necroses may have a brown or a dull, dark olive, colour.

Reasons
Phosphorus deficiency on the leaf

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

Yara recommended fertilizers for Phosphorus

YaraTera KRISTA MKP

Tomato: For fertigation, use 3.5-4.5kg in 200L stock solution, Ec = 1.0 (transplanting phase), 1.5 (generative phase), 1.6-2.2 (mature phase, depending on local conditions)