Phosphorus Deficiency of Carinata

From the Field - Agronomy Notes

In this Brassica carinata (Ethiopian Mustard) research update, we highlight the symptoms of phosphorus deficiency. These images are part of a project by the Southeast Partnership for Advanced Renewables from Carinata (SPARC) to develop a diagnostic series for the identification of nutrient disorders of Carinata. Carinata is an exciting new crop in the Southeast used for a wide variety of primary and secondary agricultural products including cover crops, feedstock, high protein meal, and jet fuel. It is similar in management to canola given both canola and carinata are winter annual Brassica oilseed crops.However, carinata oil is not edible.

Diagnostic Information

Phosphorus (P), much like nitrogen, is one of the three macronutrients required by plants. As such, when phosphorus is limited, symptomatology manifests quickly.

In Carinata, phosphorus deficiency will manifest first as an overall dwarfing when compared to a normal, healthy plant (Fig. 1). If phosphorus continues to be a limiting factor, the plant will start to show signs of yellowing and slight discoloration of the lower foliage. Phosphorus is a mobile element which means that it will be translocated from older foliage to the growing points. This the discoloration will appear first on the lower foliage (Fig. 2).

As symptomology progresses, the lower foliage may manifest dark circular spots (Fig. 3). The spots appear as small, symmetrical, black and slightly sunken. They are evenly distributed over the surface of the leaves. In addition to these spots, the lower foliage will continue to become a yellow green. These spots and the yellowing of the leaf signals intermediate symptomatology.

If corrective measures are not taken, the final and most advanced stages of phosphorus deficiency will manifest as a more severe yellowing of the lower foliage. If allowed to continue, the lower leaves will turn yellow, become necrotic, and abscise. Below you can see the progression of symptomatology of the phosphorus deficient plant compared with a plant that has received all its essential nutrients (Fig. 4). To ensure proper diagnosis the above material should be used in conjunction with a leaf tissue sample and/or field test.

Comparison of phosphorus deficient versus non phosphorus deficient plants. Note specifically the severely stunted nature of the P deficient plant. — Figure 1 – The plant on the left has received all its essential macro and micro nutrients, while the plant on the right has been given all nutrients except phosphorus. Note specifically the severely stunted nature of the P deficient plant. ©2018 Forensic Floriculture

Early stage phosphorus deficiency — Figure 2 – The lower leaf displayed is experiencing the first stages of phosphorus deficiency. Note the olive-green coloration of the lower leaves. ©2018 Forensic Floriculture

Figure 3 – A unique phosphorus deficiency symptom can be seen above. These small, circular to angular black spots appeared on the lower foliage and were randomly distributed over the leaf surface. This was a unique symptom seen in carinata and will aid in the identification of phosphorus deficiency. ©2018 Forensic Floriculture

Leaves showing progression of phosphorus deficiency, compared to fully mature, healthy leaf. — Figure 4 –The fully mature and healthy leaf on the left came from the control plant which received all its essential macro and micro nutrients. The leaves on the right show the progression of phosphorus deficiency with the beginning symptoms seen on top and the most severe on the bottom. Note specifically the color gradation of the leaves to the right, and the complete tan necrosis of the leaf in advanced phosphorus starvation. ©2018 Forensic Floriculture

This factsheet is also available in the NC State Extension Content database: Phosphorus (P) Deficiency of Carinata

We would like to thank the following for grant assistance on this project:

Key Contact Central East:

Dr. Angela Post, NC State Univ. Department of Crop and Soil Sciences – angela_post@ncsu.edu

Dr. Carl Crozier, NC State Univ. Department of Crop and Soil Sciences – ccrozier@ncsu.edu

Key Contact South East:

Dr. Michael Mulvaney, UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center – m.mulvaney@ufl.edu

Primary Authors: Paul Cockson, Dr. Carl Crozier, Dr. Ramon Leon, Dr. Michael Mulvaney, Dr. Angela Post, and Dr. Brian E. Whipker

Project Team: NC State Univ. personnel Paul Cockson (NC State B.S. student in Agroecology), Ingram McCall (Research Technician in Horticultural Science at NC State), Dr. Carl Crozier (Professor and Extension Specialist at NC State), Dr. Ramon Leon (Assistant Professor at NC State), Dr. Angela Post (Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist NC State), and Dr. Brian Whipker (Professor of Floriculture and Plant Nutrition in Horticultural Science at NC State). Univ. of Florida personnel Dr. Michael Mulvaney (Cropping Systems Specialist at UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center.

Suggested Citation:

Cockson, P.¹, C. Crozier¹, R. Leon¹, M. Mulvaney², A. Post¹, B. Whipker¹. 2018. Phosphorus Deficiency of Carinata. North Carolina St. Univ. Small Grains Portal – From the Field-Agronomy Notes.

¹North Carolina State University

²University of Florida

Funding and Acknowledgments:

Funding for this work/study was received through USDA-NIFA Bioenergy Coordinated Agricultural Project (CAP). This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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Written By

Angela Post Associate Professor & Small Grains Extension Specialist