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