Plant Problem Diagnosis Key / Nutrient problems
Nutrient
Manganese deficiency
Mn
Manganese is immobile and short at high pH and in high-organic, alkaline soils. It looks like iron deficiency, but the green bands along the veins are wider and the yellowing is softer.
Signs
- Mottled yellowing between the veins of new and middle leaves, with broad green bands along them.
- Small tan or gray dead spots in the yellow areas later.
- Gray speck on oats; pale, mottled beans and soybeans.
What favors it
High pH, high-organic soils near neutral, sandy soils that leach, and over-liming.
Prevention
- Keep pH in the crop's range.
- Include manganese in hydroponic micronutrient mixes.
Often confused with
Sources
- The Importance of Manganese in Vegetable Crop Nutrition in North CarolinaNC State Extension
- Diagnosing manganese deficiency in oatsWestern Australia DPIRD
- A2526: Soil and applied manganeseUniversity of Wisconsin Extension
- Nutrient Deficiency of Trees and ShrubsUniversity of Maryland Extension
Treatment by crop
Cultural, biological and chemical options in the order to use them, and notes written for each crop.
Identification is free. Treatment is on the Home and Pro plans.
Questions in the key that lead here
- Look the plant over, leaf undersides included. Are insects, mites, slugs, eggs, webbing or droppings on it?
No, only damage or discoloration - Where is the problem?
Leaves - What does the leaf damage look like?
Color change without distinct spots - Where did the color change start?
Newest, upper leaves - What do the new leaves look like?
Yellow between the veins, veins stay green - How sharp is the line between vein and leaf?
Soft: a wide green band along the veins, mottled between
Not a match? Start the key or describe what you see.
More from university Extension: search Extension pages on manganese deficiency, or find a plant diagnostic lab through your state's Extension.