Nutrients
Cherries - Deformation
Symptoms
Symptoms occur in the spring and include chlorosis of the youngest shoot leaves, which are stunted and narrower than normal – ‘little leaf’. Leaf margins are ‘wavy’ and may curl. Yellowing occurs between leaf veins. Blind buds and leaf rosetting can also occur. Extreme deficiency results in shoot defoliation and the production of misshapen fruit.
Causes
Zinc deficiency
Zinc deficiency made worse by
- Organic soils
- High pH soils
- Soils rich in phosphorus
- Soils receiving high phosphorus application
- Cold wet conditions
Zinc is important for
- Combats chlorosis and premature leaf fall
- Improves resistance to cold weather and late frosts
- Improves bud development, flowering and fruit set
- Gives better skin finish
- Reduces storage disorders
