How to Identify Manganese Deficiency in Plants

Your corn crop or other plants have some sort of deficiency, but you're not sure what. Consider checking for a manganese deficiency in your soil. A manganese deficiency can cause poor growth and production, as well as poor looking plants. Here's how to know if your plants have manganese deficiency so you can treat the problem.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Know the signs and symptoms of manganese deficiency. Although it is similar to other mineral deficiencies in the soil, knowing what to look for in these deficiencies will help you to stay on top of the growing situation in your garden.

2. Take a close look at the older leaves of your crop since these leaves suffer from this type of deficiency most of the time. Look for these leaves near the bottom of the plant. Also know that in some plants, like corn, the upper or new leaves suffer most and will show the first signs of manganese deficiency.

3. Look for yellowing between the veins of the older leaves of your plants. Called "chlorosis" in horticultural circles, it simply means, "yellowing of the leaves."

4. Be aware that the signs and symptoms of manganese and iron deficiency are almost impossible to tell apart by just looking at the leaves. The only way to know if you have manganese deficiency is to have your soil tested.

5. Get a soil test kit, found at your local home improvement center, garden store or from online garden supply stores such as Park Seed. An alternative to this is to have your soil professionally analyzed, which may be more accurate but a better idea, especially if your crops supplement your income.

Resources

• Buy a soil test kit from Park Seed.