A plant condition where inadequate macronutrients or micronutrients cause yellowing, stunted growth, poor flowering, or characteristic symptoms like chlorosis (yellow leaves with green veins).
In plain terms
When plants show yellowing, stunting, or poor growth despite adequate water, a nutrient deficiency is likely. Nitrogen deficiency causes yellowing starting on older leaves. Iron deficiency causes yellow leaves with green veins (chlorosis). Potassium deficiency causes leaf edges to brown. Phosphorus deficiency causes purple-tinged leaves. Testing soil or observing symptoms helps diagnose deficiencies, then applying the missing nutrient corrects it.
Why this matters
Diagnosing nutrient deficiency prevents wasted water and effort on plants that actually need nutrition, not water.
In practice
Examples
Vegetable garden yellowing mid-season; nitrogen deficiency; side-dress with nitrogen fertilizer; plants green up within 2-3 weeks.
Yellowing leaves with green veins; iron deficiency (chlorosis); iron fertilizer or pH adjustment corrects it.
Purple-tinged leaves in cool spring; phosphorus deficiency (usually temporary as soil warms); fertilize if severe.
Brown leaf edges; potassium deficiency; potassium fertilizer corrects problem.
Practical applications
If plants yellow while growing, suspect nutrient deficiency; soil test confirms.
Apply balanced or appropriate fertilizer based on deficiency symptoms.
Foliar spray with fish emulsion or micronutrient solution provides fast correction.
Compost additions prevent most deficiencies; amend annually.
Soil pH affects nutrient availability; acidic or alkaline soils lock up nutrients.