Phosphorus Deficiency
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Phosphorus Deficiency  Plants need 17 elements for normal growth. Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen come from the air and water. Soil is the principle source of other nutrients. Primary nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) are used in relatively large amounts and often supplemented as fertilizers. secondary nutrients (calcium, magnesium, and sulfur) are also used in large amounts but are typically readily available and in adequate supply. Micronutrients or trace elements are needed only in small amounts. These include iron, zinc, molybdenum, manganese, boron, copper, cobalt, and chlorine.Susceptible Plants- All plants may be prone to Phosphorus deficiency but it is not common. Symptoms – include poor growth, leaves turn bluish green with purple tints, but not yellow. Fruits are small and green with acid taste. This disorder is not easy to diagnose and can be confused with drought, root damage or nitrogen deficiency. Some herbicides leave damage similar to phosphorus deficiency, including leaf distortion and reddish color to the leaves. In early spring, seedlings may show purple veins on under sides of leaves because of chilly nights, not phosphorus deficiency.
Causes – The soil may be naturally deficient in phosphorus, particularly acid soils, poor chalk soils, and in areas of high rainfall. Cold weather can cause a temporary phosphorus deficiency.
Prevention and Control – Phosphorus deficiencies are most likely to occur in new gardens where the organic matter content is low and the soil has a high pH (7.8 to 8.3). A soil test is the best method to determine the need for phosphorus fertilizers. Plants that are naturally adapted to low levels of available soil phosphorus, however, are more likely to suffer from phosphate poisoning: the key is to provide the right level for any particular plant type, neither too high nor too low. Apply organic sources of phosphorus like Espoma Rock Phosphate Improve Soil Structure- An important but often overlooked problem causing phosphorus and other mineral deficiencies is poor soil structure. Most soils today lack earthworms and microbes,which are key to building and maintaining soil structure. Earthworms are nature's soil aerators. Live Earthworms
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