Mineral deficiency symptoms of the oil palm

Summary Young oil palms in sand culture experiment developed symptoms of nitrogen, potassium and magnesium deficiencies involving a homogeneous yellowing, a marginal yellowing and an orange chlorosis respectively. All these deficiencies resulted in poor growth and a reduced root development. A further experiment showed that Little Leaf Disease was caused by boron deficiency. Magnesium and potassium deficiency symptoms were also induced in this experiment. Sulphur deficiency symptoms, consisting of a yellowing of the young leaves, an interveinal chlorosis and necrosis, were induced in a factorial sand culture experiment and a second missing element trial. Insufficient available nitrogen, potassium, magnesium and boron all have an adverse effect on the production of inflorescences.It is considered that Plant Failure disease is caused by a poorly developed rooting system which may result from magnesium, boron and, possibly, potassium deficiencies.No evidence has been obtained to support the view that Confluent Orange Spotting is caused by potassium deficiency.