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Role and Deficiency Symptoms
of Nitrogen in Tomato
Role and Deficiency Symptoms of Nitrogen in Tomato
Introduction
 Nitrogen is the primary nutrient that makes up 1 - 4 % of
dry matter of the plant
 It is taken up from the soil in the form of nitrate (NO3 -) or
ammonium (NH4+)
 Being the essential constituent of proteins, it is involved
in all the major processes of plant development and
yield formation
 Deficiency of nitrogen causes a significant reduction in
yield
Role and Deficiency Symptoms of Nitrogen in Tomato
Role of nitrogen in Plants
 Nitrogen is essential constituent of amino acids, nucleic
acids, nucleotides and chlorophyll
 Enhances vegetative growth of the plant thus increasing
fruit production
 Nitrogen drives the demand for other macronutrients such
as phosphorus and potassium
 Important constituent of all the enzymes that catalyze the
metabolic reaction of the plants
Role and Deficiency Symptoms of Nitrogen in Tomato
Sources of nitrogen
Organic manures
Farmyard manure, green manure, compost and
vermicompost
Chemical fertilizers
Urea (N), DAP (N,P)
Biofertilizers
Azotobacter (N)
Role and Deficiency Symptoms of Nitrogen in Tomato
N deficiency symptoms
 Reduced growth and plants become yellowish in colour
 Deficiency symptoms first appear on lower (older) leaves
and later whole plant becomes yellowish green
 Plants have short and spindly appearance
 Death of leaves under severe N deficiency
Note : Visual symptoms of N deficiency can be confused with those of
S deficiency, but S deficiency first appear on younger leaves
Mild N deficiency can be confused with Fe deficiency, but the iron
deficiency first appears on the emerging leaves
Role and Deficiency Symptoms of Nitrogen in Tomato
Deficiency symptoms in leaves
Source:http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/fp.php?pid=6622469
Role and Deficiency Symptoms of Nitrogen in Tomato
Nitrogen deficient tomato plant
Source:http://customers.hbci.com/~wenonah/min-def/tomatoes.htm
Role and Deficiency Symptoms of Nitrogen in Tomato
Causes of N deficiency
 Soils are inherently low in organic matter Soils
having very low soil organic matter content (e.g.,
<0.5% organic C, coarse-textured acid soils)
 Inadequate use of mineral N fertilizer or organic
manures
 Low use efficiency of nitrogenous fertilizers,
especially due to volatilization, denitrification,
leaching, and runoff, etc
 Intensive cropping without using adequate doses
Role and Deficiency Symptoms of Nitrogen in Tomato
Let us sum up
 N is a part of the chlorophyll (the green pigment in
leaves) and is an essential constituent of all proteins
 N deficiency results in a marked reduction in growth rate
and yellowing of leaves
 N-deficient plants have a short and spindly appearance
 Excess nitrogen results in prolonged growing
(vegetative) period and delayed crop maturity
 Intensive cropping systems with less input of nitrogen
causes N deficiency in crops
 N can be supplied through different organic sources,
chemical fertilizers and biofertilizers