Nutrients

N Nitrogen
P Phosphorus
K Potassium
Mg Magnesium
Ca Calcium
S Sulfur
B Boron
Cu Copper
Fe Iron
Mn Manganese
Mo Molybdenum
Zn Zinc

Lettuce - Wilting

Symptoms
Plants seem to be wilted and flabby. Along leaf tips and margins chlorotic mottling arises, which proceeds from old to younger leaves. Grey-brown necrotic areas develop in the chlorotic zones. Starting on the tips, leaves turn yellow and fade. Sometimes veins show light red or pink discoloration. Furthermore copper deficiency leads to inhibited growth and small, light heads.

Reasons
Copper deficiency on lettuce

Lettuce - Chlorosis

Symptoms
Along leaf tips and margins chlorotic mottling arises, which proceeds from old to younger leaves. Grey-brown necrotic areas develop in the chlorotic zones. Starting on the tips, leaves turn yellow and fade.

Reasons
Copper deficiency on leaves

Lettuce - Growth retardation

Symptoms
Along leaf tips and margins chlorotic mottling arises, which proceeds from old to younger leaves. Grey-brown necrotic areas develop in the chlorotic zones. Starting on the tips, leaves turn yellow and fade. In addition copper deficiency leads to inhibited growth and small, light heads. With severe deficiency no heads are formed.

Reasons
Copper deficiency on leaves

Lettuce - Wilting

Symptoms
Copper deficiency leads to inhibited growth and small, light heads. With severe deficiency no heads are formed. In addition along leaf tips and margins chlorotic mottling arises, which proceeds from older to younger leaves. Grey-brown necrotic areas develop in the chlorotic zones. Starting on the tips, leaves turn yellow and fade. Development of root is slightly restricted. Secondary roots are long, thin and white.

Reasons
Copper deficiency on roots and leaves

Lettuce - Growth retardation

Symptoms
Copper deficiency leads to inhibited growth and small, light heads. With severe deficiency no heads are formed. In addition along leaf tips and margins chlorotic mottling arises, which proceeds from old to younger leaves. Grey-brown necrotic areas develop in the chlorotic zones. Starting on the tips, leaves turn yellow and fade.

Reasons
Copper deficiency (on the right) compared to optimum supply (on the left)

Copper deficiency made worse by

  • Organic soils
  • Chalky soils
  • Sandy soils
  • Reclaimed heathland
  • High nitrogen applications

Copper is important for

  • Production of enzymes
  • Important role in photosynthesis and phenol metabolism of plants
  • Regulation of destructive superoxide radicals inside cells
  • Prevention of fungal diseases