Phosphorus deficiency (P)
Most frequent symptoms:
- Basal mature leaves with a dull green color that may turn yellowish and, later, dark tones as they dry out.
- In crops such as tomato, maize, lettuce, or brassicas, possible appearance of purple or violet
tones on the blade and veins. - Stunted plants when the deficiency appears from early stages: slow growth and reduced root
development. - Reduced flowering, irregular fruit set, and lower fruit numbers.
- Thin stems and reduced bud emergence.
- The plant responds quickly after nitrogen application.
Visual identification
- Dwarf plants with old leaves showing blue-green or purplish coloration depending on the
species.
Recommended ARTAL fertilizers (P supply)
Potassium deficiency (K)
Most frequent symptoms:
- Chlorosis begins at the edges of the lower mature leaves and progresses inward.
- Appearance of small necrotic spots on the blade, especially in the apical area and between
veins. - Reduced resistance to diseases and abiotic stress.
- Reduced growth and thinner stems.
- In fruits, loss of firmness and quality problems.
Visual identification
- Yellow leaf edges that later become necrotic, with inner areas still green in early stages.
Recommended ARTAL fertilizers (K supply)
Calcium deficiency (Ca)
Most frequent symptoms:
- Preferential effect on growing organs (meristems, young shoots, developing fruits).
- Death of apical buds and emergence of deformed new leaves, which may curl downward.
- Progressive necrosis from the margins toward the center of the young leaf.
- Development of petioles without a leaf blade in severe cases.
- In fruits, appearance of physiological disorders such as blossom end rot (apical necrosis),
cracking, or loss of firmness.
Visual identification
- Malformations in young leaves and marginal necrosis, accompanied by damage to fruit blossom ends.
Recommended ARTAL fertilizers (Ca supply)
- FLOWAL Ca – calcium deficiency corrector.
- FLOWAL CaB – calcium with boron to improve fruit set and fruit quality.
- FOLIARTAL L24 – foliar fertilizer with calcium and boron.
Magnesium deficiency (Mg)
Most frequent symptoms:
- Basal mature leaves with yellowing between veins (interveinal chlorosis), with the main veins remaining green in early stages.
- Later appearance of necrotic spots in the chlorotic areas when the deficiency persists.
- Weak petioles and leaf blades that may become deformed.
- Duller plant coloration and reduced photosynthetic activity.
Visual identification
- ”Mottled leaf” pattern on old leaves, with yellow areas between veins and necrotic spots in advanced stages.
Recommended ARTAL fertilizers (Mg supply)
- FLOWAL Mg – fast source of complexed magnesium.
- NUTRIARTAL +Mg – triple trace elements (Mg, Mn, Zn) for crops with high demands. Sulfur deficiency (S)
Sulfur deficiency (S)
Most frequent symptoms:
- Main effect on young leaves and recent shoots.
- Generalized chlorosis in new leaves that may spread to the rest of the plant.
- Slow growth, short internodes, and production of small leaves.
- Fewer shoots and branches in woody plants.
- Possible reddish or violet tones on petioles and margins, depending on the species.
Visual identification
- Similar to nitrogen deficiency, but centered on the upper part of the plant (young leaves are affected first).
ARTAL recommendations
In cases of sulfur deficiency, or to balance nutrition under stress conditions, it is advisable to review the fertilization strategy and supplement it according to the crop’s needs.
ARTAL offers specific ranges that can help you:
- Foliar Fertilizers
- Deficiency Correctors
Boron deficiency (B)
Most frequent symptoms:
- Localized damage to meristems and young tissues.
- Death of terminal and lateral buds, with loss of the growing point.
- Young leaves with translucent areas at the base that develop into necrosis.
- Deformations, wrinkling, or a ”heart-shaped” appearance in new leaves.
- Short, thickened roots or very limited root growth.
- Boron requirements vary greatly depending on the crop.
Visual identification
- Stalled shoots, irregular branching, and highly deformed young leaves, often with localized necrosis.
Recommended ARTAL fertilizers (B supply)
- FLOWAL CaB – calcium complexed with boron.
- FOLIARTAL L24 – foliar formulation with calcium and boron.
Chlorine deficiency (Cl)
Most frequent symptoms:
- Greater effect on young leaves.
- Diffuse chlorosis and incipient wilting in new shoots.
- In severe cases, small necrotic areas on leaf tips.
- Some species, such as avocado or grapevine, are sensitive to high chlorine levels,
developing toxicity when it is present in excess.
Visual identification
- Young leaves with a flaccid, yellowish appearance, sometimes with brown tips.
ARTAL technical recommendations
Inadequate chlorine levels can significantly affect crop development, especially in sensitive species.
Since its origin is usually related to irrigation water quality, soil salinity, or the interaction with other nutrients, each case should be assessed individually.
The ARTAL technical team can help you to:
- Interpret water and soil analyses related to chlorides and conductivity.
- Adjust the fertilization strategy according to the crop’s needs and sensitivity.
- Define a nutritional program that minimizes risks and optimizes ionic balance.
If you need specific guidance for your farm or crop, you can contact us through the form available on the website or check the nutritional products section to learn about the available solutions.
Copper deficiency (Cu)
Most frequent symptoms:
- Young leaves are the main organ affected.
- Loss of turgor, with blades that curl and show sunken, necrotic-looking spots.
- Freshly expanded leaves with grayish, wilted areas.
- In severe cases, partial dieback of young shoots.
Visual identification
- Curved young leaves with depressed spots and dull coloration.
Recommended ARTAL fertilizers (Cu supply)
- MICROPONIC – deficiency corrector with copper.
- MICROPONIC Eco – version suitable for organic farming.
Iron deficiency (Fe)
Most frequent symptoms:
- Preferential manifestation in young leaves and new shoots.
- Progressive interveinal chlorosis: yellowish blade while the veins remain green.
- In advanced stages, almost white leaves, but without necrosis.
- Terminal buds remain alive, although clearly chlorotic.
- Recovery of green color after applications of iron in an assimilable form.
Visual identification
- ”Skeleton leaf”: green veins on a very light yellow background, especially on new leaves.
Recommended ARTAL fertilizers (Fe supply)
- FLOWAL Fe – fast-absorbing chelated iron.
- NUTRIARTAL Fe – iron formulation for citrus and other crops (if available in the current range).
Manganese deficiency (Mn)
Most frequent symptoms:
- Initial effect on young tissues.
- Terminal buds alive but with chlorotic leaves.
- Appearance of irregular chlorotic spots on leaves that progress to a grayish tone.
- Small necrotic spots near veins on new leaves; veins usually remain green.
Visual identification
- Young leaves with a chlorotic mosaic and small brown dots, especially around the veins.
Recommended ARTAL fertilizers (Mn supply)
- FLOWAL Mn – manganese deficiency corrector.
- NUTRIARTAL – formulation with Zn and Mn for demanding crops.
- NUTRIARTAL +Fe – in case of combined Mn and Fe deficiencies.
Molybdenum deficiency (Mo)
Most frequent symptoms:
- General effect throughout the plant.
- First symptoms on old leaves with diffuse chlorosis.
- Leaf edges become necrotic and turn brown.
- New leaves narrow, deformed, and smaller in size.
- With excess molybdenum, some species show orange colorations on leaves.
Visual identification
- Old leaves with homogeneous yellowing and marginal necrosis, together with narrow, deformed new leaves.
Recommended ARTAL fertilizers (Mo supply)
- MICROPONIC – corrector with molybdenum in its formulation.
- MICROPONIC Eco – version suitable for organic farming.
Zinc deficiency (Zn)
Most frequent symptoms:
- Development of chlorosis in mature leaves, starting with the lower ones.
- Retracted leaf margins, with a rolled or curved appearance.
- Medium-sized necrotic spots between veins.
- Small new leaves, with reduced leaf size and short internodes.
- Increased water droplet exudation (guttation) on leaf edges in certain species.
Visual identification
- Small, chlorotic leaves with scattered necrosis; “dwarf”-looking plants with little lateral growth.
Recommended ARTAL fertilizers (Zn supply)
- FLOWAL Zn – fast-assimilation chelated zinc.
- NUTRIARTAL – trace element mix with zinc.
- MICROPONIC – formulation containing zinc among other elements.
ARTAL, YOUR PARTNER IN CROP NUTRITION AND PHYSIOLOGY
With its range of nutritional fertilizers, physiological inducers, and plant immunotherapy, ARTAL supports farmers at every stage of the crop: from soil preparation to harvest, helping to prevent and correct nutritional imbalances and to improve the response to abiotic and biotic stress.
Since 1895, ARTAL has been developing agronutritional solutions aimed at improving crop performance and efficiency. Its catalog includes nutritional fertilizers, deficiency correctors, physiological inducers, and advanced technologies such as Primtal, designed to optimize the plant’s response to stress situations and promote balanced development.
The combination of experience, research, and field trials makes it possible to offer farmers and technicians reliable products, adapted to the needs of each crop and phenological stage. If you would like to learn more about the company and its range of solutions:
