Pepper Nutrient Requirements:Peppers thrive with plenty of water, nutrients, and warmth, and they have a strong tolerance for fertilizers. During the seedling stage, they require ample nitrogen, while during flowering and fruiting, they need more phosphorus and potassium. To produce 1,000 kilograms of peppers, approximately 3-5.2 kilograms of nitrogen, 0.6-1.1 kilograms of phosphorus, and 5-6.5 kilograms of potassium are needed, with a nutrient absorption ratio of 1:0.2:1.4. Calcium and magnesium requirements are 1.5-2 kilograms and 0.5-0.7 kilograms, respectively. Nutrient needs vary by growth stage: less fertilizer is needed from germination to bud emergence; nutrient demand increases from bud emergence to early flowering; nitrogen is most required from early flowering to peak flowering and fruiting; phosphorus and potassium needs increase from peak flowering to maturation as vegetative growth weakens.
*Nutrient Ratios for Peppers
Pepper Nitrogen Deficiency Symptoms:
When peppers lack nitrogen, the symptoms include yellowing that starts between the leaf veins and spreads to the entire leaf. The yellowing progresses from the lower leaves to the upper leaves, resulting in poor plant development. The plant becomes stunted and exhibits reduced growth, with flowering occurring higher on the plant, often near the top. In severe cases, flowers and fruits may drop.
Causes and Remedies for Pepper Nitrogen Deficiency:
Nitrogen deficiency in peppers usually results from insufficient application of organic and nitrogen fertilizers in previous crops. Using large amounts of uncomposted rice husks, wheat bran, or sawdust can also lead to nitrogen deficiency, as these materials require further fermentation and deplete soil's available nitrogen.
Prevention and Remedies:
To address nitrogen deficiency, immediately apply well-fermented manure or mix ammonium bicarbonate or urea with 10-15 times the volume of composted organic fertilizer, then apply it to the soil around the plants and water it in. Additionally, apply small amounts of nitrogen fertilizer multiple times, and use a foliar spray of 300-500 times diluted urea with 100 times diluted sugar and vinegar to alleviate symptoms.
Pepper Phosphorus Deficiency Symptoms:
In the seedling stage, phosphorus deficiency in peppers causes the plants to be stunted with deep green leaves, starting to drop from the bottom up. The leaf tips turn black and die, and growth stagnates. In mature plants, symptoms include stunted growth, reddish-purple discoloration on the leaf undersides, thin stems, upright growth, fewer branches, delayed fruiting, and reduced yield. Sometimes, purple spots appear on green fruits, varying in size and shape, with one to several spots per fruit. In severe cases, half of the fruit's surface may be covered with purple spots.
Causes and Remedies for Pepper Phosphorus Deficiency:
Phosphorus deficiency in peppers occurs because phosphorus can be fixed by iron and magnesium in acidic soils, making it unavailable. Other factors include low-lying areas, poor drainage, low soil temperatures, and excessive nitrogen application.
Prevention and Remedies:
To prevent and correct phosphorus deficiency, improve soil fertility before planting. During the seedling stage, apply additional phosphorus fertilizer as peppers have a high phosphorus requirement. Use sufficient compost and organic fertilizers. Foliar sprays with 300 times diluted monopotassium phosphate or 100 times diluted superphosphate solution can also quickly alleviate symptoms.
Pepper Potassium Deficiency Symptoms:
During flowering, potassium deficiency in peppers causes slow plant growth, yellowing of leaf edges, and increased leaf drop. In mature plants, potassium deficiency first causes the tips of the lower leaves to turn yellow. Yellowing then develops into small, yellowish spots along the leaf edges or between the veins. The leaf edges gradually become dry and necrotic, spreading inward to cover the entire leaf, giving a scorched or dead appearance. Symptoms progress from older leaves towards the center leaves or from leaf tips towards the petiole. The plant becomes prone to water loss, leading to wilting, small fruit, and significant yield reduction.
Pepper Magnesium Deficiency Causes and Remedies:
Magnesium deficiency in peppers can be caused by excessive rainfall, strong sunlight, drought, high temperatures, excessive potassium and ammonium fertilizers, and over-application of nitrogen fertilizers.
To remedy this, spray a 1%-2% magnesium sulfate solution every 5-7 days for 3-5 applications. Magnesium nitrate can also be used. Control the use of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers, and apply them in small, frequent doses, especially in greenhouses.
Pepper Zinc Deficiency Symptoms:
Zinc deficiency in peppers causes slow growth at the plant's top, leading to apical dieback. The plant becomes stunted, with small, clustered leaves at the top. The leaves are deformed, smaller than usual, and may curl or wrinkle, showing brown streaks. Within a few days, the leaves turn yellow or fall off.
Pepper Zinc Deficiency Causes and Remedies:
Zinc deficiency in peppers can be caused by excessive sunlight, over-application of phosphorus, or high soil pH, which prevents zinc from being absorbed.
To address zinc deficiency, avoid over-applying phosphorus fertilizers. Apply zinc sulfate at 1.5-2 kg per acre or use a 0.1%-0.3% zinc sulfate solution for foliar spraying.
Left: Other Fertilizers
Right: Wistom Fertilizers
Post time: Sep-05-2024
