Nutrients

N Nitrogen
P Phosphorus
K Potassium
Mg Magnesium
Ca Calcium
S Sulfur
B Boron
Fe Iron
Mn Manganese
Zn Zinc

Banana - Chlorosis

Symptoms
Symptoms of potassium deficiency are visible on older leaves first. Chlorosis starts from the leaf tips in the intercostal areas, but the chlorotic zones coalesce and the whole leaf tip becomes yellow. Later, it shows dark brown color and dies off. Basal parts of the leaves remain green for a longer time.

Reasons
Potassium deficiency Manganese and phosphorus deficiency result in chlorosis followed by necrotic zones, but these start from the leaf margin, not from the leaf tip.Furthermore, Mn deficiency is visible on younger leaves first. Magnesium deficiency causes interveinal chlorosis with necrotic zones later, but these are spread over the whole leaf area and are not concentrated on the leaf tip.

Banana - Necrosis

Symptoms
Symptoms of potassium deficiency are visible on older leaves first. Leaf margins are scorched with a well-defined yellow seam running along the necrotic area.

Reasons
Potassium deficiency Manganese and phosphorus deficiency also result in chlorosis followed by necrotic zones starting from the leaf margin. However, Mn deficiency is visible on younger leaves first. Magnesium deficiency causes interveinal chlorosis with necrotic zones later, but these are spread over the whole leaf area.

Banana - Chlorosis

Symptoms
Symptoms of potassium deficiency are visible on older leaves first. Chlorosis starts from the intercostal areas of the leaf tip, but the chlorotic zones coalesce and the whole leaf tip becomes yellow. Later, it turns dark brown and dies off. Basal parts of the leaves remain green for a longer time.

Reasons
Potassium deficiency Manganese and phosphorus deficiency also result in chlorosis followed by necrotic zones, but these start from the leaf margin, not from the leaf tip. Furthermore, Mn deficiency is visible on younger leaves first. Magnesium deficiency causes interveinal chlorosis with necrotic zones later, but these are spread over the whole leaf area and are not concentrated on the leaf tip.

Banana - Necrosis

Symptoms
Symptoms of potassium deficiency are visible on older leaves first. Leaf margins are scorched with a well-defined yellow seam running along the necrotic area.

Reasons
Potassium deficiency Manganese and phosphorus deficiency also result in chlorosis followed by necrotic zones starting from the leaf margin. However, Mn deficiency is visible on younger leaves first. Magnesium deficiency causes interveinal chlorosis with necrotic zones later, but these are spread over the whole leaf area.

Banana - Necrosis

Symptoms
Symptoms of potassium deficiency are visible on older leaves first. Leaf margins are scorched with a well-defined yellow seam running along the necrotic area.

Reasons
Potassium deficiency Manganese and phosphorus deficiency also result in chlorosis followed by necrotic zones starting from the leaf margin. However, Mn deficiency is visible on younger leaves first. Magnesium deficiency causes interveinal chlorosis with necrotic zones later, but these are spread over the whole leaf area.

Banana - Size reduced

Symptoms
Symptoms of potassium deficiency are visible on older leaves first. Chlorosis starts from the intercostal areas of the leaf tip, but the chlorotic zones coalesce and the whole leaf tip becomes yellow. Later, it turns dark brown and dies off. Basal parts of the leaves remain green for a longer time.

Reasons
Potassium deficiency Manganese and phosphorus deficiency also result in chlorosis followed by necrotic zones, but these start from the leaf margin, not from the leaf tip. Furthermore, Mn deficiency is visible on younger leaves first. Magnesium deficiency causes interveinal chlorosis with necrotic zones later, but these are spread over the whole leaf area and are not concentrated on the leaf tip.

Banana - Chlorosis

Symptoms
Symptoms of potassium deficiency are visible on older leaves first. Leaf margins are scorched with a well-defined yellow seam running along the necrotic area.

Reasons
Potassium deficiency Manganese and phosphorus deficiency also result in chlorosis followed by necrotic zones starting from the leaf margin. However, Mn deficiency is visible on younger leaves first. Magnesium deficiency causes interveinal chlorosis with necrotic zones later, but these are spread over the whole leaf area.

Potassium deficiency made worse by

  • Acidic soils (low pH)
  • Sandy or light soils (leaching)
  • Drought conditions
  • High rainfall (leaching)
  • or heavy irrigation
  • Heavy clay (illite) soils
  • Soils with low K reserves
  • Magnesium rich soils

Potassium is important for

  • Respiration, photosynthesis and water regulation
  • Transport and accumulation of sugars in the plant
  • High effect on yield and fruit quality
  • Increase of crop height, girth, leaf growth and number of fruit per plant
  • Improves pulp content and fruit size