Factsheet 22/05 Horticultural Bradbourne House

Development East Malling

Council Kent ME19 6DZ
Alliums (bulb onions, T: 01732 848383
salad onions and leeks) F: 01732 848498
E: hdc@hdc.org.uk

Interpretation of leaf nutrient analysis

Don Tiffin, ADAS Boxworth

Both crop yield and marketable quality of allium crops can be affected by nutrient deficiencies, with onions and
leeks potentially susceptible to deficiencies of copper and manganese. If the nutritional status is below the
‘critical level’, visual symptoms will be present in the field. In the absence of visual symptoms, ‘subclinical’
deficiencies may be present which will reduce growth and subsequently yield. The ideal soil pH for growing
onions and leeks to minimise potential nutrient deficiencies is 6.5 or above on mineral soils and 5.8 on peats.

This factsheet aims to:

• Assist with the diagnosis of the most common visual deficiency symptoms
• Provide guidance on sampling plants so that meaningful results are obtained
• Provide guidance on the interpretation of leaf tissue analysis results
• Provide information on the management of nutrient deficiencies

Visual symptoms nutrient disorders. There are, and diseases or even air pollutants
however, several difficulties in relying may result in symptoms that can
Visual diagnosis of nutrient disorders solely on visual symptoms: be mistaken for nutrient disorders
can be made where specific
symptoms of deficiency and toxicity • Severe deficiencies are rare • More than one nutrient may be
have been accurately described and deficient causing different
documented. It is the quickest • Crop disorders induced by non- symptoms from those caused by
method for diagnosing the cause of nutritional factors such as drought, a single nutrient.
poor crop performance due to low temperatures, herbicides, pests

1 Subclinical nutrient deficiencies may occur, even healthy looking crops

Nutrient deficiency 3 Relate a particular disorder to the Description and
field circumstances e.g. soil type photographs of nutrient
symptoms or pH deficiencies in Alliums
The diagnosis of a nutrient disorder 4 Knowledge of susceptibility of Note: Not all deficiencies produce
in the field should follow clearly onions or leeks to that disorder clear field symptoms and this is
definable steps: particularly true for leeks where
5 Consider the possibility of similar symptoms occur for several
1 Realisation that something is wrong symptoms having been caused nutrient deficiencies.
with the crop by drought, waterlogging, etc Photographs are particularly
helpful in providing a visual diagnosis.
2 Observation of abnormalities, noting if 6 Identification by use of ‘A colour illustrated guide to pests,
these are worse on older or younger photographs illustrating nutrition diseases and disorders of vegetables’;
leaves; chlorosis or interveinal deficiency a CD-ROM that contains further
yellowing; marginal scorch around images and information on vegetable
leaf edges, necrosis of leaf tissue; 7 If doubt still remains, check nutrient deficiencies is available from
pattern of distribution; deformities diagnosis by means of leaf HDC. If in doubt, confirm diagnosis
such as twisting and thickening analysis with leaf analysis.

Nitrogen (N) Occurrence: Similar symptoms:

Deficiency symptoms: Crops may become deficient under Sulphur deficiency.
In onions, leaves turn yellow or conditions of poor drainage, low
greenish yellow and die back from temperature or in very wet seasons
leaf tips. Growth may be stunted. where applied nitrogen is leached
In leeks, leaves become erect and below root access, especially when
narrow with a uniformly pale green plant populations are high.
colour. Growth can be severely
reduced and leaf tips can shrivel.

2 Nitrogen deficiency (left); growth dwarfed

and thin, leaves pale green, tip die back.
Phosphorus deficiency (right), growth dwarfed
and thin, leaves dull green and tip die back

3 Healthy plant* 4 Same age of plant showing N deficiency;

growth stunted and thin, foliage pale, older
leaves turn yellow and die back from tips*

Phosphorus (P) growth is dwarfed and thin, with phosphate. May occur on alkaline
Deficiency symptoms: leaves showing a dull blue-green soils that are poorly drained, but
Poor growth with leaves dull green: colour; leaf tips die back. these soils are unlikely to be used
older leaves die back from tip and for alliums.
may show brown, yellow and green Occurrence:
mottling. Occurrence of ‘thick-necks’ Very rare as most vegetable soils
in onions is increased. In leeks, contain good levels of available
Potassium (K) turgidity and leaves take on a Occurrence:
Deficiency symptoms: papery appearance. Bulbs may not Can occur as a result of leaching
In onions, older leaves die back from store well and may be soft with thin from sandy soils during periods of
tip without first becoming yellow. skins. In leeks, die back of older heavy rain.
Plant leaves wilt due to loss of leaf tips.

5 Potassium deficiency; dying back of leaves 6 Onion potassium deficiency 7 Potassium deficiency; older leaves die back
from tips and dying off of older leaves from tips without first becoming yellow.
Loss of turgidity*

Magnesium (Mg)
Deficiency symptoms:
In onions, older leaves turn uniform
yellow along entire length, without
any die back. In leeks, older leaves
turn yellowish-green, particularly near
the base.

Occurrence:
Only occurs on soils which have low
extractable Mg levels and
occasionally on soils with very high
extractable potassium/magnesium
ratios particularly if soil compaction
is present.

Similar symptoms:
Easily confused with N deficiency.

8 Magnesium deficiency; older leaves turn uniformly yellow along entire length without die back*
Sulphur (S) With extreme deficiency, the new with low levels of atmospheric
Deficiency symptoms: leaves are short, thickened deposition of sulphur.
In onions, leaves become thick and and chlorotic.
deformed: with new leaves appearing Similar symptoms:
yellow. In leeks, leaves may be pale Occurrence: Nitrogen deficiency.
in colour and become stiff and erect Can occur on sandy and shallow
with early swelling of stem base. soils over chalk or limestone, in areas

Calcium (Ca)
Deficiency symptoms:
In onions, appears as die back of
young leaves without prior yellowing,
or death of a short length of leaf
causing the distal part to collapse
and die. In leeks, leaves become very
narrow and die back abruptly from
tips without first yellowing.

Occurrence:
Extremely rare.

Similar symptoms:
Potassium deficiency.

9 Calcium deficiency; die back of young 10 Calcium deficiency; leek leaves chlorosis
leaves without yellowing, or death of short from tips followed by die back
length of leaf causing distal part to topple
over and die*

Manganese (Mn) Occurrence: Similar symptoms:

Deficiency symptoms: Most severe on organic, peaty and Zinc deficiency.
Onions show striped chlorosis of marshland soils at pH values over
outer leaves, followed by necrosis 6.0 and on heathland soils at pH
with growth severely reduced. Also levels above 6.5. Symptoms are
leaf curling, reduced bulbing and often transient and may disappear
thick necks. Symptoms less obvious following rain. Low pH may cause
in leeks. Mn toxicity.

Boron (B)
Deficiency symptoms:
Rarely occurs in onions, but when
symptom appears, it produces a
ladder-like transverse cracking of
the upper surface of older leaves.
In addition plants are stunted and
distorted and their leaves appear
grey-green to deep, blue-green.
In leeks, transverse cracks appear
on leaves.

Occurrence:
Extremely rare but may occur in
areas of high rainfall particularly on
light soils at pH over 6.5.

11 Boron deficiency; older leaves become chlorotic and die back. Regularly spaced feint yellow
lines across leaves, which develop into leaf cracking*
Copper (Cu)
Deficiency symptoms:
In onions tips of youngest leaves
become chlorotic, turn white and twist
into spiral or bend at right angles to
rest of plant. Bulb scales become soft,
pale yellow and thin.

Occurrence:
Most likely on organic and peat soils
in the Fens and also leached sandy
soils, particularly reclaimed heathland.

Zinc (Zn)
Deficiency symptoms:
Leaves become striped yellow,
twisted and stunted in onions.

Occurrence: 12 Copper deficiency; bulb scales pale yellow and thin (right)
Associated with coarse sandy soils
with a high pH. Extremely rare in
the UK.

Similar symptoms:
Manganese deficiency.

Why analyse leaf • sample at the 4 leaf stage taking • avoid soil contamination
complete leaves
samples? • ensure that the sample is
• if there is a clear differentiation representative of the crop/area
There are two reasons for between ‘good’ and ‘poor’ crop,
recommending the use of leaf analysis collect a second sample of leaves • include all relevant documentation
in allium crops: from the ‘good’ crop for and background information:
comparative analysis sowing/planting date, variety, field
• To confirm a diagnosis based on the name, soil type , fertiliser details,
appearance of symptoms: in such • sample 25-30 plants following a grower contact details, etc
cases the leaf nutrient ‘W’ pattern, collecting leaves at
concentrations will usually be well regular intervals • pack the sample, typically in a Jiffy
below the ‘critical level’ and there Bag, so it arrives in the best
should therefore be little doubt Do not sample possible condition
about the diagnosis. • diseased or dead plant material
• do not post fresh material in an
• To test for ‘subclinical’ deficiencies • plant tissue damaged by insects airtight container
or toxicities which may be already and mechanical equipment
limiting growth but which are not yet • label each sample clearly
resulting in visible symptoms. • plant tissue which has been
stressed by excesses of cold, heat • avoid sending samples before
or moisture weekends and bank holidays
Guidance on methods of
crop foliage sampling for • plant tissue within 10 days of foliar • send by overnight courier or deliver
nutrient analysis application of nutrients, fungicides directly to the analytical laboratory
or herbicides
It is essential to collect leaf samples Precise and meaningful analytical
that accurately reflect the nutritional When sending samples to an results are only possible when
status of the crop submitted for analytical laboratory carefully selected plant material is
analysis. Therefore to adequately submitted for analysis.
represent any field or smaller area of • ensure there is sufficient plant
crop, the following sampling material (250+ g)
procedure should be followed:
Interpretation of leaf Interpretation of leaf tissue analysis
tissue analysis results
Interpretation of laboratory results is Bulb Onions Salad Onions Leeks
possible by comparison with normal
levels expected for the crop. The Element Unit Normal range Normal range Normal range
interpretations given here are based
on the best information available. Nitrogen % 2.5 – 4.0 2.0 – 3.2 2.0 – 3.8

Phosphorus % 0.25 – 0.4 0.25 – 0.41 0.27 – 0.41

Soil nutrition
Potassium % 2.5 – 5.0 1.9 – 4.3 1.4 – 2.3
Though soil nutrition is outside the
scope of this factsheet, growers are Magnesium % 0.3 – 0.5 0.3 – 0.5 0.3 – 0.5
advised to consult and act upon the
nutrition requirements and fertiliser Sulphur % 0.5 – 1.0 0.5 – 1.0 0.5 – 1.0
management for allium crops in
‘Fertiliser Recommendations for Calcium % 1.0 – 2.5 1.0 – 2.5 1.0 – 2.5
Agricultural and Horticultural Crops
(RB209)’, PLANET Nutrient Manganese mg/kg 30 – 300 30 – 300 30 – 300
Management software or the
appropriate crop protocols. Boron mg/kg 25 – 50 25 – 50 25 – 50

Copper mg/kg 6 – 20 6 – 20 6 – 20

Zinc mg/kg 25 – 100 25 – 100 25 – 100

Iron* mg/kg 60 – 300 60 – 300 60 – 300

* of limited use as even the smallest amount of soil contamination invalidates the analysis and
the deficiency may not be related to actual content

Strategy and where deficiencies are known to occur requirement, based on soil analysis,
prophylactic sprays may be used. should mean that K deficiency is not
specific action to seen in allium crops. Foliar feeding is
rectify nutrient Nitrogen (N)
Leaf analysis is valuable for the
not recommended because there is a
high risk of leaf scorch.
deficiencies confirmation of plant N status.
Treatment is usually by the addition of Magnesium (Mg)
As deficiencies normally occur N fertiliser at the appropriate rate and Symptoms of Mg deficiency can
individually, specific treatments should time to the soil, with plant response to occur as a result of restricted root
be applied to the soil or crop foliage nitrate being very rapid except when growth, commonly due to soil
as appropriate to remedy a problem in the surface soil is very dry. Ammonium compaction or wetness and frequently
a particular field. nitrate should be applied between the associated with low temperatures in
All trace elements can be applied rows or 2% urea can be sprayed at the spring. Foliar sprays of 20 kg/ha
as simple salts or proprietary high volumes to the foliage to address magnesium sulphate (Epsom salts)
products, usually as foliar sprays, the deficiency. plus wetter in 500 l of water may
though soil treatments are preferable accelerate recovery.
for boron and copper. The exception Phosphorus (P)
is iron but this is rarely a problem in Most soils have adequate P supplies Sulphur (S)
alliums. These treatments are cost and there should never be a need to Plant analysis is generally considered
effective, although more than one apply supplementary phosphate if a more reliable tool for diagnosis of S
spray may be needed for manganese. sufficient base P has been applied. deficiency than soil testing. Where
Multi-element sprays may not Foliar feeding is not recommended reserves of sulphur are low and
contain enough of a particular element because there is a high risk of leaf cannot be maintained, fertilisers
to correct a deficiency, and where no scorch. containing sulphur should be used.
deficiency exists, application can be Sulphur can be absorbed through
wasteful. ‘Insurance’ treatments are Potassium (K) leaves so foliar applications may be
not recommended where no Soil applications of potassium useful (but cannot be guaranteed to
deficiency has been identified, but fertiliser according to crop cure a problem). To date, sulphur
deficiency has been determined by Foliar sprays of Ca have not been needed three weeks after the first.
using tests based on total S, sulphate found to be useful but irrigation may Preferably a soil application can be
– S or a N:S ratio. For example, plant be helpful. applied prior to planting.
material samples with an N:S ratio of
>15:1 are deficient and likely to Boron (B) Manganese (Mn)
respond to a sulphur application. Plant Soil analysis should be used to Leaf analysis is a useful aid when
material with an N:S ratio of between assess the boron need for crops there is doubt about visual symptoms.
15:1–13:1 may benefit from an grown on sandy soils. Plant analysis Avoid over-liming. Response to a
insurance dressing, and a ratio of can be used to complement visual foliar spray of manganese sulphate
<13:1 is satisfactory and unlikely to diagnosis but often by the time (or propriety materials) is rapid and
suffer sulphur deficiency. Recently a symptoms of deficiency are seen it is reliable and the spray should be
new test based on malate:sulphate too late to apply a remedial applied as soon as symptoms are
ratio has been developed and treatment. Borax can be applied diagnosed when sufficient leaf area
experience in cereals and oil seed before sowing or suitable boron is present. The normal rate is 8 kg/ha
rape shows it to be a better indicator sprays used at an early growth stage. manganese sulphate plus wetter in at
of S deficiency. least 250 l of water. In severe cases
Copper (Cu) additional sprays may be necessary
Calcium (Ca) Deficiency has only been diagnosed as leaf area increases.
Ca is a major nutrient and provided in a few specific soils. Fields with a
soil pH is satisfactory there should be history of copper deficiency should Zinc (Zn)
always be a good supply. If Ca be sprayed at full crop cover with 2 Leaf analysis is the most useful aid to
problems occur it is generally not an kg/ha copper oxychloride or cuprous diagnosis, but commercial incidence
absolute deficiency but rather the lack oxide in at least 250 l of water. One in allium crops is extremely rare.
of movement of the element within the application is usually sufficient
plant, due to water stress, so it is the although in cases of severe Always check compatibility if
youngest tissues, which will suffer. deficiency, a second spray will be mixing nutrients with agrochemicals

Analytical
laboratories
It is not possible within this factsheet
to list all the laboratories that offer a
leaf tissue analysis service. Growers
should discuss the options with their
agronomist or crop protection
consultant.

Acknowledgement
Photographs marked * are courtesy
of and copyright of Warwick HRI.
 Additional Information:

November 2005 Whilst publications issued under the auspices © 2005 Horticultural Development Council.
of the HDC are prepared from the best available No part of this publication may be reproduced in
information, neither the authors or the HDC can any form or by any means without prior permis-
accept any responsibility for inaccuracy or sion of the Horticultural Development Council.
liability for loss, damage or injury from the appli-
cation of any concept or procedure discussed. Design and production: HDR Visual Communication