Nutrients

N Nitrogen
P Phosphorus
K Potassium
S Sulphur

Grassland - Growth retardation

Symptoms
Reduced growth and tillering, sometimes attended with purple discoloration.

Reasons
Phosphorus deficiency

Grassland - Growth retardation

Symptoms
Reduced growth and tillering, sometimes attended with purple discoloration.

Reasons
Phosphorus deficiency (right)

Grassland - Growth retardation

Symptoms
Reduced growth and tillering, sometimes with purple discoloration. Tips of older halms show a yellow to reddish-brown color and may die off. General leaf color remains dark green. Phosphorus uptake is highest in early growth stages. Deficiency symptoms are therefore rather to be found in older plants when P levels decreased.

Reasons
Phosphorus deficiency Apart from fertilizer application, phosphorus input derives from excreta, either during grazing or by application of slurry or manure.

Grassland - Growth retardation

Symptoms
Reduced growth and tillering, sometimes with purple discoloration. Tips of older halms show a yellow to reddish-brown color and may die off. General leaf color remains dark green. Phosphorus uptake is highest in early growth stages. Deficiency symptoms are therefore rather to be found in older plants when P levels decreased.

Reasons
Phosphorus deficiency Apart from fertilizer application, phosphorus input derives from excreta, either during grazing or by application of slurry or manure.

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

  • Essential for energy transfer within the plant, therefore direct effect on yield and quality