2Tomato NewsYour source of information from the world of Hazera tomatoes
From the editors 3
Tomato News 4
LED-lights in tomatoes: near future or just a dream? 5
Summersun: a small step in a very hi-tech world 5
New from Hazera: Magnetic & Ornela 6
Deficiencies in Tomatoes Crops 7
The Road to Success - Shanty & Galilea 8
Ask George - Q&A from the Field 9
Recipe of the Month - Tomatoes Stuffed with Goat Cheese 10
Appendix - Deficiencies in Tomatoes Crops 11-12
3
Dear friends,Now that the crop in already in the ground it is time to look ahead. Tomatoes are susceptible to mineral deficiencies, as you are well aware, so we have compiled a very detailed review aimed at helping you indentify deficiencies and overcoming their damage. In our continuing voyage around the globe of tomatoes we bring you some stories from the hi-tech tomato region of the Netherlands. We continue to follow tomato news around the world and bring you highlights to help you prepare for the season.During the past months, you have continued to send George your questions regarding tomato growing and production ([email protected]). George had already answered your questions individually, but in this issue we are bringing you the more general questions and answers that may be of interest to some of you.
We hope you will find this issue as interesting and useful as the previous ones. We will be happy to include you in our mailing list, so you can receive Tomato News directly. You can register at [email protected] or register via our website, at www.hazera.com. Please send us your insights, thoughts and questions to [email protected]. And if you have any technical questions George will be waiting at [email protected] wish you all a happy and prosperous holiday season.
Chief editor: Dr. Alon HaberfeldProducer: Nilly MaikMembers of the editorial staff: Yaron Giras, Matti Sarfatti, George Arraf, Meirav Ron, Hadas Amit.
Welcome to the winter issue of Tomato News!
From the editors
We at Hazera Genetics wish all our partners and friends a joyful holiday season and a happy new year
Tomato export from Mexico to USA is expected to growThe “Tomato Suspension Agreement” signed between Mexico and the United States in January 2008, virtually binds Mexican exporters to sell in the United States at or above the applicable reference price. The reference price for exporting fresh tomatoes for the summer season (July 1-October 22) is 17.2 cents per pound, and the reference price for the winter season (October 23-June 30) is 21.69 cents per pound.Mexican tomato producers export 900,000 tons to 1 billion tons of fresh tomatoes to the United States every year. This is almost 20% of the Mexican tomato production. This figure is expected to increase slightly in 2009-2010 since with the weakening of the Mexican peso prices become even more compatible.The agreement has not had much influence since even with surplus tomato supply in early 2009 prices were well above the reference price. (Source: http://fructidor.com/news/mexico-the-world-s-largest-exporter-primarily-ships-to-the-u-s--6941.aspx)
The tomato import season starting Polish importers started trading in imported tomatoes in the past weeks. This came after an increase in domestic tomato prices on November, with a wholesale price of 10-13 PLN (2.34-3.04 Euro) for a carton of 6 kg of tomatoes. High quality tomatoes were priced even higher at 16-21 PLN (3.75-4.92 Euros). First imported Spanish tomatoes appeared on the market on mid November at prices 18 PLN (4.38 euro for a carton of 6 kg of tomatoes. (Source: http://fructidor.com/news/season-for-imported-tomatoes-will-start-soon--7551.aspx)
The moment of truth for Canary Island growers This season is important for growers and exporters of lettuce and tomatoes in the Canary Islands. The last two seasons were difficult as a result of rising transport costs, rates of exchange and quality problems. Steve Cornwell of SpanishFresh calls this season: “The most important ever. Last year our supply coincided with that from Spain and Morocco and that caused oversupply”. (Source: http://www.freshplaza.com/news_detail.asp?id=53754)
Agrexco tomato shipments underwayThe export season has just got underway for Israeli exporter Agrexco’s organic on-the-vine tomato, sold under its Carmel Bio-Top brand. These tomatoes are grown mainly in the Arava region, but also in west Negev and north of the Dead Sea.Agrexco points to its tomatoes’ quality and safety standards, in addition to the health benefits of tomatoes in general, thanks to their high content of vitamin C, vitamin A and the antioxidant lycopene.(Source: http://www.fruitnet.com/content.aspx?cid=4661&ttid=8&sid=97)
Dutch exports reach new recordThe Dutch tomato export, which is beginning slowly this year, looks likely to reach a new record. Most noticeable is the rise in exports to Mediterranean countries such as Italy, Spain and Greece. Up until week 32 in 2009 there was 452 million kg of Dutch tomatoes exported. That is 8.5% (around 35 million kg) more than this period last year. Out of the most important sales markets, Russia is the only one who is still clearly importing less than last season. (Source: http://www.freshplaza.com/index_region.asp?region=5)
First Report of Tomato Torrado virus in Tomato Crops in FranceIn June 2008, tomato plants cv. Fer De Lance (De Ruiter Seeds) grown in greenhouses near Perpignan (southern France) showed growth reduction and necrotic lesions on fruits, stems, and basal parts of the leaves.Tests performed by local laboratories revealed the presence of ToTV. ToTV has been already reported in Spain, Poland, Hungary, and Australia, but this is the first report of ToTV in France. Further testing in April 2009, of plants from the same area, revealed 7 positive tomato plants of 17 tested. This observation suggests the persistence of the disease in the Perpignan region. (Source: http://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/abs/10.1094/PDIS-93-12-1352C)
Summersun: a small step in a very hi-tech worldHazera Genetics launched Summersun in The Netherlands in the winter of 2008. Summersun
is avery exclusive tomato: a yellow cherry with an extremely high brix level. This winter two Dutch growers are growing SummerSun. Aad en Bas van Leeuwen is growing
Summersun for the third year in a row, and has almost 2 ha. He specializes in a mixed pack, with 2 or 3 varieties, and uses SummerSun as the yellow variety.
Greenco, that is well-known throughout Europe for their Tommies, initiated a new Summersun concept with 1.4 ha. The most important reason to grow Summersun is its premium taste. We hope to bring you more information about SummerSun in our next Tomato World.
LED-lights for tomatoes: near future or just a dream? 5
More and more growers are testing led-lights for tomatoes, mainly to try to reduce energy costs. Depending on the lighting system used, the saving can range from 35% to 50% and maybe even more. LED-lights for tomato have been tested in North West Europe for two seasons, and now is a good time for an initial summary.
It is a well-known fact that plants have better assimilation under specific wavelengths. Tomato plants need more red and blue light then other colors. And since with better assimilation higher yield can be achieved, and leaves use red light more efficiently for photosynthesis, in theory up to 20% more yield is possible. However, during the first two years of trials, the average yield increased by only 5% yield. Apparently, the theory is applicable to a single leaf, and the result is different for an entire crop. On top of that, when an entire plant is involved, transmission of assimilates to their growing points is also an important factor.
LED emits almost no heat. This is why it can be placed inside the canopy, delivering the light exactly where it is needed much closer to the plant. And we also don’t “steal” any sunlight, like normal artificial lights (SON-T lights) do.
Two main points limit the use LEDs for tomatoes - efficiency and costs. The efficiency of LED-lamps needs to be improved and the cost must be compatible with conventional lighting system. A combination of energy saving with extra yield will make LED lights a winning technology in greenhouse tomato production.
More information is still needed before we can say that LED is an established technology. Questions such as how to combine LED and non LED lights, the consequences of uncoupled heat radiation, PAR-light and far red light as well as coping with lower plant temperature must be investigated further.
By - Céline De Baere Tomato Product Specialist Nickerson Zwaan
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Lemnis Lighting B.V.
from Hazera6
OrnelaTrial Data*
Grape-cherry tomatoes are becoming more and more popular among cherry consumers throughout the world. Over the past few years, we have seen consumers shifting from round fruits to elongated ones. Hazera believes that in several years this tomato slot will become an important segment of the market.Hazera is launching a new variety of grape-cherry tomato which is TYLCV Root-knot Nematodes (Mj) and Tomato Spotted Wilt virus resistant, combined with high yield and high fruit quality. Ornela will be launched in Spain and Italy in winter 2010.
Plant Vigor – medium- strong Maturity – earlyInternodes – mediumGrowing system – IndoorPicking – single
Fruit Fruit type – grape cherryAv. Weight – 20-25 gr.Color – intense redShelf life – goodFirmness – goodShoulders – uniform
MagneticTrial Data*
Magnetic is a very productive indeterminate variety for loose harvest, suitable for a short cycle production (6-8 clusters). This variety is unique due to its compact and strong plant, early maturation, big size and high quality fruit. Magnetic will be launched in winter 2010 in China, and is trialed in various markets.
Plant Vigor – regularMaturity – earlyInternodes – compactGrowing system – indoorPicking – single
Resistances: Vd, Fol (races 1 and 2), ToMV, Mj**, TSWV
Fruit Fruit type – GlobeAv. Weight – 200-270 gr.Av. Size – 70-80 mm.Color – intense redShelf life – very longFirmness – very firmShoulders – uniform
* See notice on Page 1** Soil temperature above 27°C and other stresses may cause resistance to break
New
Deficiencies in Tomatoes Crops7
Visual SymptomsStresses, such as salinity and pathogens, induce their own characteristic set of visual symptoms. Often, these symptoms closely resemble those of nutrient deficiency. Pathogens often produce an interveinal chlorosis, and salinity stress can cause tip burn. Although at first these symptoms may seem similar in their general appearance to nutrient deficiency symptoms, they do differ in detail and/or in their overall developmental pattern. Pathological symptoms can often be separated from nutritional symptoms by their distribution in a population of affected plants. If the plants suffer from nutrient stress, all plants of a given type and age in the same environment tend to develop similar symptoms at the same time. However, the stress is the result of pathology, the development of symptoms will have a tendency to vary between plants until a relatively advanced stage of the pathology is reached.
Environmental AssociationsPlants remove substantial amounts of nutrients from the soil during their normal growth cycle and many long-term environmental changes occur as a result of this process. Effects on the soil go considerably beyond direct removal or depletion of nutrients. Charge balance must be maintained in the plant-soil system during nutrient uptake. For example, when plants are fertilized with ammonia, they acquire most of their nitrogen in the form of the ammonium cation, rather than from the usual nitrate anion. Because nitrate is the only anion used by the plant in large amounts, the immediate effect on the soil may be favorable for some plants, especially acid-loving plants, since it tends to make iron more available. However, in the long run, lowering the soil pH can be harmful to plants due to change in the availability of nutrients. A lower soil pH will allow micronutrients to be more readily leached from the soil profile, eventually resulting in deficiencies of nutrients such as Cu and Zn. Additionally, when the soil pH drops much below pH 5, the solubility of Al and Mn can increase to such an extent as to become toxic to most plant growth. Plants are often thought of as passive in relation to the environment. For example, iron is a limiting nutrient in many agricultural areas, but it comprises about 3% of the average soil, which, if available, would be far in excess of the needs of the average plant. Some plants actively excrete protons, and the resulting decrease in pH increases the solubility of iron, in their environment. In addition, other plants excrete phytosiderophores that chelate the soil iron rendering it a more available form for the plants.
Descriptions of SymptomIt is unusual to find any one leaf or even one plant that displays the full array of symptoms that are characteristic of a given deficiency. It is thus highly desirable to know how individual symptoms look, for it is possible for them to occur in many possible combinations on a single plant. Most of the terms used below in the description of deficiency symptoms are reasonably self evident; a few however have a distinct meaning in the field of nutrient deficiency. For example, the term chlorotic, which is a general term for yellowing of leaves through the loss of chlorophyll, cannot be used without further qualification because there may be an overall - chlorosis as in nitrogen deficiency, interveinal - as in iron deficiency, or marginal - as in calcium deficiency. Another term used frequently in the description of deficiency symptoms is necrotic, a general term for brown, dead tissue. This symptom can also appear in a variety of forms, as is the case with chlorotic symptoms.
Please see Deficiency symptoms for your use and convenience in the appendix at the end of the newsletter (page no. 11).
By - Yaron Giras & Dr. Alon Haberfeld Tomato Product Managers [email protected]
Visual symptoms of nutrient deficiency can serve as a very powerful diagnostic tool for evaluating the nutrient status of plants. However, a single visual symptom is often not sufficient to make a definitive diagnosis of a plant’s nutrient status. Many of the classic deficiency symptoms such as tip burn, chlorosis and necrosis are characteristically associated with more than one mineral deficiency and also with other stresses that by themselves do not indicate any specific nutrient stress. However, their detection is extremely useful in making an evaluation of nutrient status. In addition to the actual observations of morphological and spectral symptoms, knowing the location and timing of these symptoms is a critical aspect of any nutrient status evaluation. Plants do not grow in isolation, they are part of the overall environment and as such they respond to environmental changes that affect nutrient availability. Also, plants do influence their environment and can contribute to environmental changes, which in turn can affect the plant’s nutrient status.
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Element and Sufficiency RangeNitrogen (N) 4.00-5.00% (in Young plants)
Shanty was developed by our tomato breeder Dr. Ron Ecker in Florida 2004. From the very first time we saw this variety we knew that it was a winner. I remember walking in a tomato trial field in FL in 2005 and stopping at one of the plots. “Hey, what do we have here?” I asked Ron “You’ve got to see this one! “. This was the moment we understood we have “hit the jackpot”. Then came excellent results in Israel and other regions. The combination of very high yield with very good heat setting and extremely high TYLCV resistance made the variety an instant success. We started to sell Shanty throughout Central America, South America and other counties in the Middle East. Wherever we tried it, Shanty became the first choice of the farmers. In one of our meetings with Mr. Omar Zidan, one of the most valued professionals in the Israeli agricultural community, he told us that in a recent visit to Honduras he saw a very productive tomato field “one of the best tomato fields ever!” according to the grower. This field was Shanty.
Today Shanty is one of the most successful TYLCVresistant, determinate Roma varieties in the world! For the past several years Shanty has been selling over 100 million seeds per year, at a value of over 1.25 million Euros.
Galilea was developed in Mexico by our tomato breeder Mr. Ezri Peleg. Galilea was developed for the very harsh growing conditions of Central Mexico, in the area of Sun Luis Potosi. The development continued for more than 6 years, and came after the release of several other varieties in the segment. From the first moment we saw this variety in trials, we knew that we have found the best Roma tomato variety for the Mexican market, and possibly one of the best determinate Roma tomatoes in the world! Galilea combines extremely high fruit quality with a strong plant and a very high yield. This makes it “a grower’s dream come true.” We started to sell Galilea in Mexico in 2007 and today it is sold in USA, Brazil, Israel and Peru. Sales reached 20 million seeds (0.4 million Euros) in 08/09 and are forecasted to top 35 million seeds in 09/10 (0.6 million Euros).
We are sure that Galilea will be one of our top varieties in the coming years and a very successful one too!
For two years, Shanty and Galilea have been Hazera’s leading determinate Roma varieties, selling over 120 million seeds per year and growing fast. I would like to take this opportunity to share their story with you.
Question: I heard about a new disease in tomatoes – Torrado. Can you explain what it is? How it is transmitted and how can we, tomato growers, avoid it?
George: Tomato Torrado virus (ToTV) is a new aphid mediated virus that was first identified in Murcia, Spain six years ago, and was later found in Brazil and Mexico. Torrado symptoms can appear on fruits and leaves, and in the latter they are very similar to TSWV (Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus) symptoms - “burned”, brownish leaves in the upper part of the plant. The burning starts in the middle of the leaf, and after a Torrado attack no more fruits will set on the infected plant. Due to similarity of symptoms, TSWV and Torrado are easily confused. However, since Bemisia Tabacci is the vector transmitting Torrado, and aphids transmit TSWV, the presence of the vector in the infected field can point to the virus. You can also use field diagnostic tools that will tell you which virus you are dealing with. To prevent Torrado we must protect plants from the vector– the white fly - either using physical barriers or preventive chemical treatments. The virus can attack tomatoes at all the stages, so keep looking for early symptoms and treat your crop accordingly. No Torrado resistant varieties are available at present, but Hazera is testing resistant material and will soon release resistant varieties.
Question: What is the difference between long shelf life and firmness? Can a tomato be firm without having LSL genes? Is there any relation to green shoulders?
George: LSL refers to the long shelf life of the tomato fruit, while “Firmness” refers to the attribute of the fruit when harvested. Firmness is a general characteristic of the tomato fruit, while in order to achieve long shelf life in tomatoes we must use specific tomato genes that inhibit fruit ripening. Genes such as NOR or RIN were introduced by classic breeding into commercial tomato varieties from their wild relatives into the mid 80s. These genes can increase shelf life of harvested tomatoes from 6-7 days to over 21 days.
There is no relation between LSL or Firmness and green shoulders. Green shoulders is a different genetic characteristic, caused by a different naturally occurring gene (G), which causes a differential ripening of different parts of the fruit.There are LSL tomatoes with and without green shoulders, and they can all have different levels of firmness. You just need to pick the right variety.
Question: Do LSL and firmness reduce tomato flavor?
George: Even though tomato flavor is a combination of taste and aroma, derived from over 400 volatile compounds, we usually describe it as the balance between the fruit’s sweetness and sourness. When tomato fruits ripen, at about the time they turn from pink to red, sourness is at its maximum. Then, sourness starts to decrease and sweetness increases due to sugar accumulation. This process will continue as long as the fruit is on the plant. When harvested, the fruit will continue to accumulate sugars, but at a much lower rate. Here is the dilemma – if we let the fruit stay on the plant, we can achieve higher sugar content, however, we decrease its firmness (since mature fruits loose firmness over time). If we pick the fruit at an early stage, we have better firmness but lower sugar content. On top of all that, LSL genes add sourness to the fruit and reduce the rate of sugar accumulation, so LSL varieties are usually less tasty, but with much better shelf life. If you keep your LSL tomatoes on the plant till they are fully red, you let then accumulate more sugar and can improve your sweetness/sourness ratio, thus producing a more tasty fruit. Isn’t life complicated? Low taste in LSL tomatoes is not a given. Once you decide what is more important, LSL or taste, you can achieve very tasty LSL tomatoes.
Ask George – Q&A from the Field9
George has been active in the field of agriculture for 32 years, 13 of them at Hazera. Before George joined Hazera, he worked in the field of vegetable cultivation and plant protection at the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture. George has a graduate degree in Plant Protection. The primary crops George dealt with are tomatoes, melons, watermelons, onions and leaf plants. George’s primary field of expertise is the examination of new varieties during the early cultivation stages, and their modification for the relevant cultivation regions and countries. Over the past 3 years George has served as the Product Promotion manager for tomatoes in the major target countries for Hazera tomatoes. Based on his extensive and rich experience in tomato crop cultivation methods, fertilization, irrigation and plant protection, George is happy to put the knowledge he has acquired over the years at your disposal.
We invite you to send George any questions you may have about growing tomatoes to: [email protected]
Ingredients• 3 Hazera Boutique tomatoes• 8 oz goat cheese• 1 tsp. chopped garlic• 2 tbs. extra virgin olive oil• Sesame seeds• 4 purple basil leaves• Salt• Black pepper
Recipe of the Month
Tomatoes Stuffed with Goat Cheese10
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Preparation:1. Blanch one of the tomatoes in boiling water for few seconds.2. Peel and seed the blanched tomato.3. Place the peeled tomato, goat cheese, garlic, olive oil and a
pinch of salt and black pepper in a food processor, mix until smooth and red in color.
4. Place the sesame seeds on a flat plate and roll a spoon full of the goat cheese mixture in them.
5. Cut the other tomatoes in half lengthwise and place a basil leave on each half.
6. Place the sesame seed covered goats’ cheese rolls on top of the basil leaf.
7. Serve cold with fresh bread.
11
* See notice on Page 1
Deficiency SymptomsMagnesium Mg-deficient leaves show advanced interveinal chlorosis, with necrosis developing in the highly
chlorotic tissue. In its advanced form, magnesium deficiency may superficially resemble potassium deficiency. In the case of magnesium deficiency the symptoms generally start with mottled chlorotic areas developing in the interveinal tissue. The interveinal laminae tissue tends to expand proportionately more than the other leaf tissues, producing a raised puckered surface, with the top of the puckers progressively going from chlorotic to necrotic tissue.
Manganese These leaves show a light interveinal chlorosis developed under a limited supply of Mn. The early stages of the chlorosis induced by manganese deficiency are somewhat similar to iron deficiency. They begin with a light chlorosis of the young leaves and netted veins of the mature leaves especially when they are viewed through transmitted light. As the stress increases, the leaves take on a gray metallic sheen and develop dark freckled and necrotic areas along the veins. A purplish luster may also develop on the upper surface of the leaves.
Molybdenum These leaves show some mottled spotting along with some interveinal chlorosis. An early symptom of molybdenum deficiency is a general overall chlorosis, similar to the symptom of nitrogen deficiency, but generally without the reddish coloration on the undersides of the leaves. This is a result of the need for molybdenum in the reduction of nitrate, which must be reduced prior to its assimilation by the plant Thus, the initial symptoms of molybdenum deficiency are in fact those of nitrogen deficiency. However, molybdenum has other metabolic functions within the plant, and hence there are deficiency symptoms even when reduced nitrogen is available. At high concentrations, molybdenum has a very distinctive toxicity, symptom the leaves turn a very brilliant orange.
Nitrogen The chlorotic symptoms seen on a leaf are the result of nitrogen deficiency. A light red cast can also be seen on the veins and petioles. Under nitrogen deficiency,the older mature leaves gradually change from their normal characteristic green appearance to a much paler green. As the deficiency progresses these older leaves become uniformly yellow (chlorotic). Leaves approach a yellowish white color under extreme deficiency. The young leaves at the top of the plant maintain a green but paler color and tend to become smaller in size. Branching is reduced in nitrogen deficient plants resulting in short, spindly plants. The yellowing in nitrogen deficiency is uniform over the entire leaf including the veins. In some plants the underside of the leaves and/or the petioles and midribs develop traces of a reddish or purple color. In some plants this coloration can be quite bright. As the deficiency progresses, the older leaves also show more of a tendency to wilt under mild water stress and become senescent much earlier than usual. Recovery of plants suffering from this deficiency, following the application of nitrogen, is immediate (days) and spectacular.
Phosphorus Phosphorus -deficient leaves show some necrotic spots. As a rule, symptoms of phosphorus deficiency are not very distinct and thus difficult to identify. A major visual symptom is that the plants are dwarfed or stunted. Phosphorus deficient plants develop very slowly in relation to other plants growing under similar environmental conditions but without phosphorus deficiency. Phosphorus deficient plants are often mistaken for unstressed but much younger plants. Species such as tomatoes, develop a distinct purpling of the stem, petiole and the under sides of the leaves. Under severe deficiency conditions there is also a tendency for leaves to develop a blue-gray luster. In older leaves with very severe deficiency conditions a brown netted veining of the leaves may develop.
Sulfur This leaf shows a general overall chlorosis, while retaining some green color. The veins and petioles show a very distinct reddish color. The visual symptoms of sulfur deficiency are very similar to the chlorosis characteristic of nitrogen deficiency. However, in sulfur deficiency the yellowing is much more uniform over the entire plant including young leaves. A reddish color is often found on the underside of the leaves and the petioles has a more pinkish tone and is much less vivid then is characteristic of nitrogen deficiency. In cases of advanced sulfur deficiency, brown lesions and/or necrotic spots often develop along the petiole, and the leaves tend to become more erect and often twisted and brittle.
Appendix
Deficiencies in Tomatoes Crops
12
Deficiency SymptomsZinc This leaf shows an advanced case of interveinal necrosis. In the early stages of zinc deficiency the
younger leaves become yellow and pitting develops in the interveinal upper surfaces of the mature leaves. Guttation is also prevalent. As the deficiency progresses, these symptoms develop into an intense interveinal necrosis but the main veins remain green, as in the symptoms of recovering iron deficiency. In many plants, especially trees, the leaves become very small and the internodes shorten, producing a rosette like appearance.
Calcium Calcium-deficient leaves show necrosis around the base of the leaves. The very low mobility of calcium is a major factor determining the expression of calcium deficiency symptoms in plants. Classic symptoms of calcium deficiency include blossom-end rot of tomato, which is generally related to poor translocation of calcium to the tissue rather than a low external supply of calcium. Very slow growing plants with a deficient supply of calcium may re-translocate sufficient calcium from older leaves to maintain growth with only a marginal chlorosis of the leaves. Plants suffering from chronic calcium deficiency have a much greater tendency to wilt than non- stressed plants.
Boron Boron-deficient plants show a light general chlorosis. The tolerance of plants to boron varies greatly, to the extent that the boron concentrations necessary for the growth of plants having a high boron requirement may be toxic to plants sensitive to boron. Boron is transported poorly in the phloem of most plants.
Chloride These leaves have abnormal shapes, with distinct interveinal chlorosis. Plants require relatively high chlorine concentration in their tissues. Chlorine is very abundant in soils, and reaches high concentrations in saline areas. The most common symptoms of chlorine deficiency are chlorosis and wilting of the young leaves.
Copper Copper-deficient leaves are curled, and their petioles bend downward. Copper deficiency may be expressed as a light overall chlorosis along with the permanent loss of turgor in the young leaves. Recently matured leaves show netted, green veining with areas bleaching to a whitish gray. Some leaves develop sunken necrotic spots and have a tendency to bend downward. Trees suffering from chronic copper deficiency develop a rosette form of growth. Leaves are small and chlorotic with spotty necrosis.
Iron Iron-deficient leaves show strong chlorosis at the base of the leaves with some green netting. The most common symptom of iron deficiency starts out as an interveinal chlorosis of the youngest leaves, evolves into an overall chlorosis, and ends as a totally bleached leaf. The bleached areas often develop necrotic spots. Up until the time the leaves become almost completely white they will recover upon application of iron. In the recovery phase the veins are the first to recover as indicated by their bright green color. This distinct venial re-greening observed during iron recovery is probably the most recognizable symptom in all of classical plant nutrition. Because iron has a low mobility, iron deficiency symptoms appear first on the youngest leaves. Iron deficiency is strongly associated with calcareous soils and anaerobic conditions,
Potassium Some of these leaves show marginal necrosis (tip burn), others at a more advanced deficiency status show necrosis in the interveinal spaces between the main veins along with interveinal chlorosis. This group of symptoms is very characteristic of K deficiency symptoms. Potassium deficiency is generally characterized by a marginal chlorosis progressing into a dry leathery tan scorch on recently matured leaves, even if potassium is given to the plants. Because potassium is very mobile within the plant, symptoms only develop on young leaves in the case of extreme deficiency. Potassium deficiency can be greatly alleviated in the presence of sodium but the resulting sodium-rich plants are much more succulent than a high potassium plant.
