Citrus

It participates in the main metabolic processes of plants, contributing to the formation of new parts such as roots, leaves, flowers and fruits. 

Constituent of proteins and organic compounds. Supports enzymes involved in CO₂ assimilation processes.

Deficiency – The leaves with symptoms are light green and yellowish-green. In extreme cases of deficiency, plant growth is reduced or even stopped; smaller and few leaves; general yellowing of the foliage, also affecting the veins; reduction in the number and size of fruits, which have a thin, pale green skin and early maturation; drying of the ends of the branches.

The use of phosphorus in citrus farming ensures several benefits, such as hormonal control in plant growth, storage and transfer of energy, constitution of nucleotides, activation and deactivation of enzymes, among other substantial functions for the healthy development of plants.

Deficiency – The leaves of affected plants are uniformly yellow-green, similar to the symptom of nitrogen deficiency.

The accentuated lack of phosphorus causes loss of brightness with foliage browning, reduction of the size of the leaves with dryness at the ends and edges, and there may be abnormal fall, generating defoliated branches. There may be an exaggerated fall of new leaves and flower buds, reducing production; and the fruits, in reduced number, have an increased thickness and a hollow core or columella.

It helps in the synthesis of acids and proteins, in the osmotic control. It is an activator of plant hormones, which in turn control cell division and growth in the root and stem regions, known as meristems. 

It is responsible for transporting most of the sugars and other products from the leaves to storage organs such as fruits. It is also responsible for providing greater resistance to tissues, as it contributes to increasing the thickness of the plant’s cuticle and cell wall. Potassium is responsible for promoting the reduction of the freezing point of the sap, and consequently, the damage to the green structures of the plant in cases of frost.

Deficiency – The leaves at the ends of the branches are reduced, yellow-green, with wavy leaf blades and curved ends. The fruits are small and have a thin skin. In addition to these symptoms, the leaves can become tanned and curved, causing exaggerated fruit drop. In cases of severe deficiency, there is gummy exudation on the leaves and death of the branches.

It is part of several parts of the plant and is therefore extremely important for leaf growth, pollination and fruiting. It is related to the cell wall of various plant tissues, such as leaves, pollen tubes and even fruits, participating in the formation of these structures.

It also participates in some physiological functions, favoring constant photosynthetic activity. In this way, the leaf can generate more energy to sustain its flowers and future fruits. 

Deficiency – Appears on mature leaves with initial chlorosis along the margins, gradually reaching the interveinal areas, with necrosis of the affected areas, in advanced stages of deficiency, and a chlorotic band may also appear along the main vein. It can cause leaves and fruits to fall and even cracks in the bark.

It has a specific role in enzyme activation, photosynthesis and nucleic acid synthesis. It is a constituent of the chlorophyll molecule, acts on protein stability in chloroplast functions, decreases oxidative stress and improves plant conditions to adverse conditions.

It also has an effect on fruit quality, increasing soluble solids, soluble solids/acidity ratio (ratio), optimizes juice color, increases fruit size and decreases rind thickness.

Deficiency – They manifest in mature leaves, through interveinal chlorotic areas along the main vein. In advanced stages, the entire leaf may become chlorotic, with a small area remaining green near the petiole. Magnesium migrates from older leaves to fruits and, in the absence of the element, chlorosis appears between the veins and on the sides of the main vein of the leaves, with the remainder of the chlorophyll forming an inverted green “V” in relation to the petiole. In cases of extreme deficiency, there is defoliation and drying of branches can occur.

It plays an important role in plant metabolism. It is present in all the functions and processes that are part of plant life and is an essential component of many plant proteins, vitamins and hormones that are important for the production of amino acids, proteins and chlorophyll. 

Deficiency – It appears in young leaves that are small and yellowish-green and yellow in color.

Activator or component of enzymes, influences the fixation of Nitrogen, catalyst in the biosynthesis of chlorophyll, acts in the development of trunks and roots. 

Deficiency – Young leaves are thin, chlorotic and green-ribbed. In cases of acute deficiency, the entire leaf turns yellow, with necrotic areas; leaves fall from the ends of the branches, accompanied by descending death.

It is essential for the synthesis of chlorophyll, activator of enzymes, performs the photolysis of water and acts in the development of roots.

Deficiency – Occurs in young leaves, whose size practically remains normal, with loss of brightness and chlorosis between the veins that remain green.

It acts as an enzymatic co-factor, being essential for the activity, regulation and stabilization of the protein structure.

It affects the synthesis and conservation of auxins, plant hormones involved in plant growth.

Deficiency – The young leaves are small, elongated, pointed and erect, with interveinal chlorosis, with abundant formation of thin branches with short internodes and premature death of these branches. In more severe cases, the leaves look like “zebradas”, with no formation of flower buds, reducing production. The fruits are small, with little juice, and dryness of the branches occurs.

Contributes to metabolism, structuring and growth, production regulation and fruit quality.

Deficiency – The young leaves are small, deformed, with well-defined green veins on a light fruit, and the terminal shoots may die. Plants may have giant leaves, pockets of gum on young branches and on the skin of the fruit, as well as next to the seeds.

It favors citrus productivity due to its direct influence on greater root development and general plant resistance.

In this way, crops are able to optimize the use of water and nutrients and become more resistant to pests and diseases.

Deficiency – Appears on young leaves where watery areas appear that become translucent with ripening.  The veins are protruding, sometimes cracked and with a cork appearance, and the leaves may curl and fall easily. There is wilting of mature leaves, yellow spots on younger leaves, terminal bud death and absence of flowers. There may be a sharp drop of new fruits, small fruits, hard, with thick albedo, deformed and even with some gum externally.