Signs of Too Little Nitrogen in a Vegetable Garden
When a vegetable garden fails to thrive, the problem may be nitrogen deficiency. Although the general appearance of the plants might indicate a nitrogen deficiency, the best way to determine whether your soil is nitrogen deficient is to get a soil test. Does this Spark an idea?
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Nitrogen
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Without nitrogen, plants can't grow. It is an essential part of chlorophyll molecules, amino acids and enzymes. Nitrogen deficiencies often occur in sandy soils or heavy clay soils. Uncomposted organic material such as sawdust, straw and grass clippings cause nitrogen deficiency because the organic materials use the available nitrogen as they break down.
Yellowing
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When nitrogen is deficient, plants begin to yellow. Yellowing begins at the tips of the older leaves at the bottom of the plant and works its way up the leaves. The upper leaves turn pale green. The lower leaves may drop off unless the problem is corrected.
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Growth
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Nitrogen-deficient plants fail to grow properly. They may be stunted, spindly or leggy, with sparse foliage. The leaves are small and few, and the plants may fail to flower and set fruit or grow new shoots.
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References
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension: Guide to Symptoms of Plant Nutrient Deficiencies
- "Rodale's Vegetable Garden Problem Solver"; Fern Marshall Bradley; 2007
- University of Florida IFAS Extension: Nutrient Deficiencies.
- Cornell University Cooperative Extension: Recognizing Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms
- Photo Credit Martin Poole/Digital Vision/Getty Images
