E Content for Mineral deficiency symptoms in mulberry

E- Content for Mineral deficiency symptoms in mulberry and their reclamation by Dr. Bandana Mazal Assistant Professor in Sericulture Govt. Degree College Udhampur

Introduction Like other Plants mulberry also require nutrients for their growth and development. Once mulberry is planted its foliage is generally utilized 4 -6 times in a year (under tropical conditions) for 20 -30 years from the same field. As such, an enormous amount of nutrient replenishment is essential for a sustainable yield. On the other hand, majority of mulberry garden are maintained under rain-fed conditions. � Mulberry need 17 elements for their growth and completion of life cycle. They are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, Sulphur, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, boron, molybdenum, chlorine and nickel. In addition, four more elements sodium, cobalt, vanadium and silicon are absorbed by some plants for special purposes. � The elements C, H, O are not minerals. The rest of the elements are absorbed from the soil and these are called mineral elements since they are derived from minerals. These mineral elements are mainly absorbed in ionic form and to some extent in non-ionic form. �

Classification of essential elements � The essential elements can be mainly classified based on the amount required, their movement in plant and soil, their chemical nature and function inside the plant. � 1. Classification based on Amount of Nutrients: Depending on the quantity of nutrients present in plants, they can be grouped into three categories: basic nutrients, macronutrients and micronutrients. � a) Basic Nutrients: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, which constitute 96 % of total dry matter of plants are basic nutrients. Among them, carbon and Oxygen constitute 45 % each. � b)Macronutrients: Plants require them in large amounts and their concentration in plant body is 1 mg/g of dry matter. They are N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S. Among these, N, P and K are called primary nutrients and Ca, Mg and S are known as secondary nutrients. The latter are known as secondary nutrients as they are inadvertently applied to the soils through N, P and K fertilizers which contain these nutrients. � c). Micronutrients: Plants require them in small quantities and their conc. in plants is less than 1 mg/g of dry matter and are known as micronutrients or trace elements. They are Fe, Zn, Cu, B, Mo and Cl, Mo, Ni. These elements are very efficient and minute

Causes of Mineral Deficiency � Inadequate supply of one or more plant nutrients to the soil or imbalance nutrient status. � Element withdrawals due to continuous cultivation without proper replenishment. � Imbalance in fertilizer application, especially nitrogen. � Increasing yield levels leads to higher nutrient requirement. � Depletion of micronutrients due to intensive cultivation. � Leaching of micro nutrients in the soil.

Impact of Mineral Deficiency � Primarily effects qualitative and quantitative loss of mulberry leaves. � Decrease in the intake of K, Ca, Mg, and P causes decrease in body weight of silkworm. � P deficiency affects the uptake of other minerals elements affecting the growth and economic characters of silkworm. � Deficiency of Mg, Mn, and Fe reduce the cocoon yield, shell weight and larval duration. � Zn deficiency is known to decrease the pupal weight, silk filament length and cocoon shell ratio. � Besides some non- essential (in respect to plants) such as nickel and cobalt has a regulatory role on silk gland development.

1. Macronutrients

1. Nitrogen deficiency leads to reduced growth of mulberry (shoot, leaf and roots), reduced leaf area, prolonged bud dormancy, reduced shoot production and delayed flowering. Symptoms Pale yellow leaves noticed first in older leaves. Yellowing proceeds from leaf tip to base. Leaf margins and base turns yellow with chlorosis on the advancement of age. In severe cases, young leaves become pale green and later turns yellow. Premature yellowing and leaf fall. Root system also become weak. Decrease in protein, nitrogen and chloroplast. Reclamation Maintaining soil p. H between 6. 5 to 7. 5 Application of requisite quantity of nitrogen fertilizers (300 -400 kg N/ha/yr. in 4 to 5 split doses after 3 -4 weeks of every harvest. Application of FYM and green manures @ 20 -25 tonnes /ha/yr. Integrated nutrient management and foliar application of nitrogen Regular application of nitrogen fixing bio-fertilizers along with FYM

2. Phosphorous(P) Phosphorous deficiency results in reduced shoot height, leaf area, and nutrient content of leaf. Symptoms Slender stem without fresh growth having stunted root system. Restricted root and shoot growth, suppressed shoot production, prolonged bud dormancy, decrease in number and early senescence of leaf. Older leaves turns pale yellow, subsequently, the major veins and space between veins near mid-rib regions of lamina will develop purplish colour and later no changes to brown colouration coupled with necrosis. Necrotic spots are prominent at margins. It increases from margins to the mid-rib region resulting in inward curling of leaves. Reclamation Apply Phosphorous pentaoxide @ 180 kg /ha/yr. in equal split doses at alternate crops. It should be applied near to root zone at the depth of 20 -40 cm from soil surface.

3. Potassium (k) Potassium has been reported as a key nutrient in maintaining the mulberry quality. Moisture content of leaves increases or decreases proportionately with potash content of leaves. Its deficiency causes powdery mildew disease of mulberry. Symptoms Terminal growth ceases. The stem and roots become slender. Yellow colouration and leaves also shows rusty brown patches. Necrotic spots extends towards the base and mid-rib region resulting in curling of leaves and premature leaf fall takes place. In advance stage, reduce leaf thickness. Shortening of internodes. Wilting of plants. Reclamation Maintenance of soil p. H and soil moisture. Application of potassiun oxide @ 180 -240 kg/ha/yr. based on soil testing in two equal split doses after 3 -4 weeks of 1 st and 3 rd harvest. Application of green manure, FYM and tank silt @20 -25 tonnes/ha/yr. Integrated nutrient management and foliar application of potassium.

4. Calcium(Ca) Symptoms Plant growth is completely ceased and becomes weak. The stem becomes woody and short with yellowing tips and the roots becomes stubby and dry. Deformation of younger leaves. Necrosis starts in margins and tips of leaves. Older leaves are severely affected and show yellowing with mosaic green patches. Premature leaf fall takes place. Increase membrane leakage. Reclamation In acid soil apply lime one MT/ha/yr. at the interval of every 4 -5 years. Spray 0. 5 -1. 0 per cent calcium nitrate or calcium chloride over the leaves of deficient plants.

5. Magnesium(Mg) Symptoms Plant growth is ceased. Chlorosis occurs in between the veins and is more prominent in younger leaves. Leaves become totally yellow with reddish green patches all around the leaf. The leaf tips and margin become dried and scorched. Reclamation Spray 0. 2 -0. 5 per cent magnesium sulphate on deficient plants depending on the severity. If required, one more dose can be sprayed after 5 -7 days of first spray.

6. Sulphur(S) Sulphur is essential for the growth and development of mulberry. It is involved in the formation of chlorophyll and glucosides and in the activation of enzymes. It improves mulberry leaf yield and nutritional quality. The causes of deficiency of sulphur includes increasing depletion of soil sulphur through higher yields, wide gap between the removal and addition of sulphur, inadequate recycling of crop residues, loss of sulphur through leaching and soil erosion besides low level of fertilizer sulphur input. Symptoms The stems becomes slender. Overall growth of the plant is stunted with general lack of new growth. Necrosis starts from the margin in younger leaves. Brownish oily spots are observed throughout on the leaves. Lower leaves become yellow and fall in pre-mature stage. Reclamation 0. 1 - 0. 2 per cent aqueous solution of Potassium sulphate should be sprayed on deficient leaves.

2. MICRONUTRIENTS

7. Iron (Fe) Symptoms Overall plant growth is very much affected. Prominent interveinal chlorosis and reticulate appearance. Younger leaves are almost green but with chlorotic patches. Lower leaves become golden yellow in colour with dusty look. Chloroplast size is reduced. Reclamation Aqueous solution of one kg Ferrous sulphate / ha/crop should be sprayed over the leaves of deficient plants. Fe chelates like EDDHA @100 Kg/ ha should be mixed in soil in iron deficient fields.

8. Zinc (Zn) Symptoms Overall plant growth is arrested. Lower leaves become yellowish green. Sever reduction in leaf size. Whitish spots appear on the older leaves. Decrease in auxin content. Interveinal chlorosis i. e chlorosis is more pronounced towards vein. Reclamation Aqueous solution of 2 kg Zinc sulphate /ha/crop should be sprayed over the leaves of deficient mulberry plants.

9. Copper (Cu) Symptoms Plant growth is ceased. Leaves fall in premature stage. Younger leaves are yellow and wilting starts from the tip of the leaf. Chlorosis starts from the margin of the leaf. Yellowish spots are observed throughout the leaf. Reclamation Aqueous solution of one kg copper sulphate /ha/crop should be sprayed over deficient plants.

10. Manganese (Mn) Symptoms Ceased plant growth. Chlorosis starts from the margin in younger leaves and spread towards whole leaf. In mature leaves, chlorosis is found towards veins and yellowish spots are found throughout the leaf. Reclamation Spray aqueous solution of one kg Manganese sulphate /ha /crop over the deficient plants.

11. Boron (B) Symptoms Plant growth is slowed down and young tissues disintegrate. Stem and veins of the leaves proliferate and protrude out. Cambial tissue degenerate causes the plants to crack, blacken or become abnormal in shape. Reclamation Spray aqueous solution of one kg Boric acid (Borax)/ha/crop over the leaves of deficient plants.

12. Chlorine (Cl) Symptoms Bronze coloured leaves. Swollen root tips. Flower abscission. Less chlorophyll content in leaves thus resulting in drying of leaves. Wilting of leaves. Reclamation Cl is normally not applied to soil. Rain water supplies about 10100 kg of Cl per hectare annually besides its addition through fertilizers like MOP (47. 3%). Rate of recommendation is 3 -5 kg per hectare

13. Molybdenum Symptoms Necrosis, chlorosis and suppression of leaves which become thin and dry like paper. Translucent spots of irregular shape impregnated with resinous gum (mulberry leaf). Activity of symbiotic nitrogen fixing microorganisms is reduced. Reclamation Since molybdenum deficiency usually occurs in acidic soils, the most common cure is to lime the soil to a p. H of 6. 0– 6. 5, after which Mo deficiency often disappears. If liming did not fix the deficiency or if the soil p. H was already around 6. 5, Mo deficiency can be easily corrected with a sodium molybdate or ammonium molybdate foliar spray.

14. Nickel (Ni) Symptoms More damage by root knot nematodes. Accumulation of ureids in leaves(leaf tip necrosis). Critical constituent of the plant enzyme urease for conversion of urea to ammonia Reclamation It can be found as a contaminant in fertilizer and the irrigation water and it is often found in sewage sludge and animal waste. Nickel can also be applied as a single element application as nickel sulfate or in a chelated form.

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