Phosphorus deficiency-Maize | Yara UK

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Nutrients

Maize - Growth retardation

Symptoms
Young plants are dwarfed and thin with dark green leaves. Leaf margins, veins and stems show purple tints which may spread over the whole leaf blade. Older leaves of the young plants are affected first. The reddish discoloration is usually visible in the juvenile stage only.

Reasons
Phosphorus deficiency Some maize hybrids show reddish leaves in younger development stages although P supply is sufficient.

Maize - Size reduced

Symptoms
Cob size is severely reduced.

Reasons
Phosphorus deficiency on cob (right)

Maize - Discolouration

Symptoms
Leaf blades are dark green, while margins, veins and stems show a dull, purple tint which may spread over the whole leaf blade. Older leaves are affected first. The reddish discoloration is usually visible in the juvenile stage only.

Reasons
Phosphorus deficiency Some maize hybrids show reddish leaves in younger development stages although P supply is sufficient.

Maize - Discolouration

Symptoms
Tissue on the leaf base and along the main vein is dark green, while the marginal, interveinal area towards the leaf tip shows a distinct purple tint. By the time, the discoloration spreads over the entire leaf blade. Older leaves are affected first. The reddish discoloration is usually visible in the juvenile stage only.

Reasons
Phosphorus deficiency Some maize hybrids show reddish leaves in younger development stages although P supply is sufficient.

Maize - Discolouration

Symptoms
Leaf blades are dark green, while margins and veins show a dull, purple tint which may spread over the whole leaf blade. Older leaves are affected first. The reddish discoloration is usually visible in the juvenile stage only.

Reasons
Phosphorus deficiency Some maize hybrids show reddish leaves in younger development stages although P supply is sufficient.

Maize - Discolouration

Symptoms
Tissue on the leaf base and along the main vein is dark green, while the marginal, interveinal area towards the leaf tip shows a distinct purple tint. By the time, the discoloration spreads over the entire leaf blade. Older leaves are affected first. The reddish discoloration is usually visible in the juvenile stage only.

Reasons
Phosphorus deficiency Some maize hybrids show reddish leaves in younger development stages although P supply is sufficient.

Maize - Discolouration

Symptoms
Tissue on the leaf base and along the main vein is dark green, while the marginal, interveinal area towards the leaf tip shows a distinct purple tint. By the time, the discoloration spreads over the entire leaf blade. Older leaves are affected first. The reddish discoloration is usually visible in the juvenile stage only.

Reasons
Phosphorus deficiency Some maize hybrids show reddish leaves in younger development stages although P supply is sufficient.

Phosphorus deficiency made worse by

Acidic or very alkaline (calcareaus) soils
Low organic matter
Cold or wet conditions
Crops with a poorly developed root system
Soils with low P reserves
Soils with a high phosphate capacity
Iron rich soils

Phosphorus is important for

Better crop establishment
Good plant development early in the season
More even maturity reducing grain losses at harvest
Improves yield
Brings forward harvest date

Yara recommended fertilisers for Phosphorus

YaraVita MAIZE BOOST

Maize: 5 l/ha at the 4 to 8 leaf stage. Water rate: 30 to 200 l/ha. N.B. Do not spray in slow drying conditions. Alternatively: 2 to 5 l/ha at the 4 to 6 leaf stage. Repeat 10 to 14 days later if necessary. Water rate: 30 to 200 l/ha

Read more about YaraVita MAIZE BOOST

Other recommended products

YaraVita CROPLIFT PRO

Maize: 2.5 to 5 kg/ha. Repeat at 10 to 14 day intervals as necessary. Avoid applications during flowering. Water rate: 200 l/ha.

YaraVita MAGPHOS K

Maize: 5 l/ha at 4 to 8 leaf stage. Repeat at 10 to 14 day intervals if necessary. Water rate: 200 l/ha

YaraTera KRISTA MAP