Nutrients

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

Banana - Chlorosis

Symptoms
Characteristic symptoms for zinc deficiency are chlorotic zones in the intercostal areas which are spread over the whole leaf and give the leaf a mottled appearance. The midrib does not remain green. These symptoms start on younger leaves of the banana plants.

Reasons
Zinc deficiency Other nutrients like P, K, Mg, Mn or Fe also show chlorosis as deficiency symptoms, but the mottled appearance is characteristic for Zn deficiency.

Banana - Deformation

Symptoms
Characteristic symptoms for zinc deficiency are chlorotic strips between the secondary veins which are spread over the whole leaf and give the leaf a mottled appearance. The midrib does not remain green. Further development of the deficiency leads to reddish zones from the margin to the midrib of the leaf. These symptoms start on younger leaves of the banana plants. Other characteristic symptoms for Zn deficiency are in general the formation of smaller leaves and inhibited stretching of the internodes so the plant has an upset appearance.

Reasons
Zinc deficiency Other nutrients like P, K, Mg, Mn or Fe also show chlorosis as deficiency symptoms, but the mottled appearance and the reddish zones within the leaf are characteristic for Zn deficiency.

Banana - Deformation

Symptoms
Characteristic symptoms for zinc deficiency are chlorotic strips between the secondary veins which are spread over the whole leaf and give the leaf a mottled appearance. The midrib does not remain green. Further development of the deficiency leads to reddish zones from the margin to the midrib of the leaf. These symptoms start on younger leaves of the banana plants. Other characteristic symptoms for Zn deficiency are in general the formation of smaller leaves and inhibited stretching of the internodes so the plant has an upset appearance.

Reasons
Zinc deficiency Other nutrients like P, K, Mg, Mn or Fe also show chlorosis as deficiency symptoms, but the mottled appearance and the reddish zones within the leaf are characteristic for Zn deficiency.

Zinc deficiency made worse by

  • Organic soils
  • High pH soils
  • Soils rich in phosphorus
  • Soils receiving high phosphorus application
  • Cold wet conditions

Zinc is important for

  • Mostly important for enzyme activation, but also for synthesis of growth regulators
  • Major effect on banana plant growth, yield and quality
  • Zn is one of the most important micronutrients in banana production and deficiencies are widely reported