Experts concerned over intensified farming

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 29

Fruits are an essential source of both micro and macro nutrients. The nutrient elements which are required comparatively in small quantities are called as micro nutrients and are as important as macronutrients.

Micronutrients include elements like zinc, iron, manganese, molybdenum, copper, boron and chlorine.

“The major causes for micronutrient deficiencies in fruits are intensified agricultural practices, unbalanced fertilizer application including NPK, depletion of nutrients and no replenishment and fruit growing in marginal and sub marginal soils,” said Navjot Gupta of the Department of Horticulture, Punjab Agricultural University’s regional station, Bathinda.

Amardeep Kaur, assistant professor horticulture at the PAU’s Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bathinda said, “In Punjab the deficiency of zinc and iron is wide spread. The deficiency of micronutrients, including manganese, molybdenum, copper, boron etc is sporadic and specific management practises should be followed.”

Zinc deficiency

In Citrus zinc deficiency appears on fully mature new leaves as irregular interveinal chlorosis commonly known as “mottled leaf”. The terminal leaves become small and narrow referred to as “little leaf”. To control zinc deficiency, spray zinc sulphate solution 0.47 per cent (4.7 g/litre of water) without addition of lime on spring flush at April end and on late summer flush in mid August.

In guava the affected plants produce small leaves with yellowing or chlorosis in between the veins. As and when the zinc deficiency symptoms appears on plants, they should be sprayed with 1 per cent solution of zinc sulphate. “Do two to three sprays after fortnight between June and September,” said Gupta.

In pear, zinc deficiency appears on younger leaves as diffuse interveinal chlorosis, reduction in leaf size and tendency of the leaf edges to curl upward. “Spray the plants with 3 kg zinc sulphate + 1.5 kg unslaked lime in 500 litres of water.,” added Kaur.

Plum trees having affected leaves on the terminal parts of branches are narrow, small with interveinal chlorosis. Zinc deficiency can be corrected by foliar spray containing 3 kg zinc sulphate and 1.5 kg unslaked lime in 500 litres of water.

Iron deficiency

In pear Iron deficiency appears on apical leaves which develop characteristic symptoms of dark green veins on a pale green background. Its deficiency may be corrected by spraying 0.3 per cent ferous sulphate (300g in 100 litres of water).

Peach trees planted on light textured and high pH soils often exhibit iron deficiency symptoms during summer and rainy season. Interveinal chlorosis of developing new leaves on the terminal part of shoots are the clear symptoms of deficiency.

In severe case the new leaves may unfold without any green colour (Ivory colour) and later veins may turn green. “Typical symptoms appear in March. Iron deficiency can be corrected by spraying 0.3 per cent ferrous sulphate solution on spring flush in April, on summer flush in June and late summer flush in August to September,” said Gupta.