Nutrients

N Nitrogen
P Phosphorus
K Potassium
Mg Magnesium
Ca Calcium
S Sulfur
B Boron
Fe Iron

Sugarcane - Chlorosis

Symptoms
Leaf borders and tips show yellow to orange chlorosis - known as 'firing'. Older leaves may show a reddish discoloration of the midrib, turn completely red and senesce, while younger leaves remain dark green. Plant growth is slow, stalks are thin, and the spindle may have a fan like appearance. Root system is stunted.

Reasons
Potassium deficiency

Sugarcane - Chlorosis

Symptoms
Leaf borders and tips show yellow to orange chlorosis - known as 'firing'. Older leaves may show a reddish discoloration of the midrib, turn completely red and senesce, while younger leaves remain dark green. Plant growth is slow, stalks are thin, and the spindle may have a fan like appearance. Root system is stunted.

Reasons
Potassium deficiency

Potassium deficiency made worse by

  • Acidic soils (low pH)
  • Sandy or light soils (leaching)
  • Drought conditions
  • High rainfall (leaching)
  • or heavy irrigation
  • Heavy clay (illite) soils
  • Soils with low K reserves
  • Magnesium rich soils

Potassium is important for

  • Productive growth, i
  • e
  • quick canopy closure, strong stalk development, big root mass
  • High yield and sugar quality
  • Essential for plant water use efficiency
  • Improves plant tolerance to pests, diseases and to lodging