Emily Sneller, Michigan State University Extension -
Rain may have stolen some of your N, but a yellowing crop might indicate other deficiencies.
In most areas of Michigan, planting season has kicked into high gear. Since seeds are finally making their way into the ground, it might seem a bit pre-emptive to start talking about nitrogen and other nutrient deficiencies. However, with the larger amounts of rainfall at varying times during the spring season, the loss of applied nitrogen is on every grower’s mind and every grower’s eyes will be on their crops, scouting for deficiency symptoms.
To review, plants suffering from nitrogen deficiency tend to be pale yellow-green in color and have slow or stunted growth. Yellowing from lack of nitrogen starts at the older leaves and moves on to newer leaves as the deficiency continues with yellowing patterns varying by crop. Unfortunately for us, nitrogen isn’t the only nutrient that can cause yellowing of plant leaves. Potassium, sulfur, zinc, magnesium and iron deficiencies can all present themselves with yellowing plants and leaves, not to mention herbicide injuries. So before you assume the yellowing you see in your crop fields this spring is nitrogen deficiency, take the time to refresh your memory on what other deficiency or injury symptoms look like so you can make the right management decision.
Nitrogen deficiency? Think again. Manganese and other nutrient deficiencies can look very similar.
For more information on deficiency and injury symptoms, refer to Secondary and Micronutrients for Vegetable and Field Crops from Michigan State University Extension or to Nutrient Deficiencies and Application Injuries in Field Crops from Iowa State University Extension.
This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).
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As an agriculture expert with a deep understanding of nutrient management in crops, I find the article by Emily Sneller from Michigan State University Extension particularly insightful. Her piece, dated May 13, 2011, delves into the impact of rainfall on nitrogen loss and the potential misinterpretation of yellowing crops as solely indicative of nitrogen deficiency.
Firstly, the author establishes her credibility by discussing the heightened awareness among growers regarding the loss of applied nitrogen due to increased rainfall during the spring season. This demonstrates an awareness of the real-world challenges and concerns faced by those involved in agriculture.
The article emphasizes the importance of correctly identifying the cause of yellowing in crops, cautioning against automatically attributing it to nitrogen deficiency. Here, Sneller showcases her expertise by providing detailed insights into the symptoms of nitrogen deficiency, such as pale yellow-green color and slow or stunted growth. Furthermore, she goes beyond nitrogen, highlighting other nutrient deficiencies that can manifest as yellowing in plants, including potassium, sulfur, zinc, magnesium, and iron deficiencies, as well as herbicide injuries.
Sneller's mention of the specific order in which yellowing occurs, starting from older leaves and progressing to newer ones, adds a layer of precision to her analysis. This nuanced understanding of plant physiology and nutrient interactions reflects a high level of expertise in the field.
To support her recommendations, Sneller directs readers to additional resources from reputable institutions, such as the "Secondary and Micronutrients for Vegetable and Field Crops" publication from Michigan State University Extension and "Nutrient Deficiencies and Application Injuries in Field Crops" from Iowa State University Extension. This not only shows her commitment to providing accurate information but also underscores her awareness of the broader scientific community's contributions to the field.
In conclusion, Emily Sneller's article serves as a valuable resource for growers, offering a nuanced understanding of crop nutrient deficiencies and the potential misinterpretation of yellowing symptoms. The inclusion of credible sources and her ability to articulate complex concepts demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the subject matter, making her a reliable authority in the field of agriculture.
