Magnesium deficiency in black pepper under field conditions

Abstract

Evident symptoms of malnutrition occurring only in adult productive black pepper plants were found to be due to magnesium deficiency. The modified leaf injection technique of Roach was employed for deficiency diagnosis. Bright lemon-yellow chlorosis spreading on the leaves directly exposed to sun, no reduction of leaf size, and acute leaf abscission are the main characteristic symptoms. It is suggested that the alleged yearly alternating occurrence of high and low production is duo to magnesium deficiency.