Boron deficiency-Potatoes

Symptoms
The young leaves of B deficiency plants are thickened, crinkled and bordered by light brown tissue, which extends to the intercostal areas. The growing points and the shoot tips die off. In severe cases, the leaf margins are cupped upward.

Reasons
Boron deficiency. Can be confused with Ca deficiency, which also affects the growing points and leads to their dying off. Ca deficiency also causes leaf necrosis, which is seen at the edge of the leaf and not between the veins as with boron deficiency. Potato has a relatively low requirement hence deficiency symptoms occurs mainly on soils with poor boron content (weathered sandy soils) or soils with a high fixing capacity (recently limed, peat soils, pH > 7).

Symptoms
The young leaves of B deficiency plants are thickened, cupped upward and may show light brown tissue between the veins. The growing points and the shoot tips die off.

Reasons
Boron deficiency. Can be confused with Ca deficiency, which also affects the growing points and causes rolling-up of leaves. Ca deficiency also causes leaf necrosis, which is seen at the edge of the leaf and not between the veins as with boron deficiency. Potato has a relatively low requirement hence deficiency symptoms occurs mainly on soils with poor boron content (weathered sandy soils) or soils with a high fixing capacity (recently limed, peat soils, pH > 7).

Symptoms
B deficiency leads to small tubers with skin crackings and brown areas under the skin at the stolon end or in the vascular ring.

Reasons
Boron deficiency. Ca deficiency can also cause internal browning and hollow tubers. It is not possible to separate the symptoms. Potato has a relatively low requirement hence deficiency symptoms occurs mainly on soils with poor boron content (weathered sandy soils) or soils with a high fixing capacity (recently limed, peat soils, pH > 7)

Symptoms
Young leaflets show reduced, misshapen leaf blade. In severe cases, the leaf margins are cupped upward.

Reasons
Boron deficiency. Calcium deficiency may cause similar deformations on young leaflets. Potato has a relatively low requirement hence deficiency symptoms occurs mainly on soils with poor boron content (weathered sandy soils) or soils with a high fixing capacity (recently limed, peat soils, pH > 7).