Aquatic plant nutrient deficiency symptoms
 

Boron (B) � Immobile, micro-nutrient.
Young leaves Chlorosis of margins. Dead shoot tips, new side shoots die (Very similar to calcium deficiency). New growth, distorted and smaller, then the growing tips of both roots and shoots die. Mild deficiency in Crypts.
Leaves are cupped and the roots are shorter and distorted.

Calcium (Ca) � Immobile, macro-nutrient.
Young leaves Mild deficiency Smaller, distorted new leaf growth.
Reduced leaf tissue, with the central vein persisting. Leaves are often cupped, rather than flat. Moderate deficiency Often sudden bends or twisting of leaf, which is now much reduced in size. White streaks or white edges in new growth. Roots are stubby and twisted. Root tips may die. Leaves of Vallisneria are strongly crinkled as though they have tried to grow and jammed in a small space. Severe deficiency New growth almost entirely white. Leaves reduced to tiny deformed stumps. Growing tips of shoots and roots die.

Cobalt (Co) � Mobile, micro-nutrient.
Older leaves Chlorosis. Young leaves Stunting. Early maturity.

Copper (Cu) � Immobile, micro-nutrient.
Young leaves Dead leaf tips and withered edges.

Iron (Fe) � Immobile, micro-nutrient.
Young leaves Chlorosis between green veins. First seen in fast growing plants. Reduced chlorophyll in new growth. Leaves and stem are about the same shade. Severe deficiency in most plants � chlorophyll is lacking completely in the new growth which soon dies. Growing tips of Ceratophyllum become pinkish and then white. Growing tips of Eigeria densa become green/yellow to yellow. The leaves small and clasped close to the stem. The new leaves of swords are smaller with patches or broad streaks extending lengthwise that are more pale than the rest of the leaf (in mild deficiency).

Magnesium (Mg) � Mobile, micro-nutrient.
Older leaves Chlorosis in spots. May become reddish from the presence of anthocyanin (red pigment). Dicots - Chlorosis starting from the margins inwards. The midrib may remain green while the edges exhibit chlorosis or are bleached and dying. Monocots - (eg: Vallisneria) probably involves death of the older leaves.

Manganese (Mn) � Immobile, micro-nutrient.
Young leaves Dead tissue & chlorosis between veins. Surplus may cause iron deficiency.

Molybdenum (Mo) � Mobile, micro-nutrient.
Older leaves Chlorosis spots b/w veins then brownish areas along edges. Inhibited flowering.

Nitrogen (N) � Mobile, macro-nutrient. **Deficiency almost never seen in aquaria.
Older leaves Chlorosis � yellow.
May become reddish from the presence of anthocyanin (red pigment). Leaves do not die unless deficiency is extreme. Young leaves Stunting. Early maturity Leaves turn yellow/green.

Phosphorous (P) � Mobile, macro-nutrient.
Older leaves Chlorosis between veins. Starting at leaf tips and edges. Premature leaf fall-off.
Young leaves Plant stops growing and becomes darker green or stays green. Some species may become purple due to excess anthocyanin. Other species do not produce excess anthocyanins and just stay green and small.

Potassium (K) � Mobile, macro-nutrient.
Older leaves Chlorosis in spots surrounded by pale zones. Then withering of leaf edges and tips. Small dead areas appear. These may begin as pinpoints and grow. In other species, leaves may exhibit chlorosis before they die, but do not have green persisting along the major veins as in magnesium deficiency. Young leaves In some species, (eg Ceratopteris), leaves are reduced in size and area, with the appearance of being slightly singed.

Sulphur (S) � Immobile, macro-nutrient.
Young leaves Chlorosis � Pale green/yellow.

Zinc (Zn) � Mobile, micro-nutrient.
Older leaves Chlorosis between veins. Starting at leaf tips and edges.
Young leaves Yellow/white mottling. Small bunching leaves.


Chlorosis = yellowing of the leaf.
Deficiencies often occur together and so the symptomology may be a combination of factors.

Back >>