Carrot Nutrient Deficiency: Signs, Causes and the Fertilizer That Fixes It
Carrot nutrient deficiency is one of the first things to check when the leaves of your karot (carrot) turn yellow, purple or burnt at the edges. On Philippine farms the usual ones are nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, boron, calcium, magnesium and zinc. This guide shows where each one starts, how to be sure, and the fertilizer that fixes it.
Start with one question: did the change begin on the old leaves or on the young ones? Nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and magnesium move inside the plant, so a shortage shows on the old, lower leaves first. But boron, calcium and zinc stay where the plant first put them, so the young leaves and the growing tip show it first. After that, the color and the pattern narrow down which carrot nutrient deficiency you have, and a soil test confirms it. Each one below has its signs, its causes and its fix.
Carrot nutrient deficiency signs, old leaves and young leaves
Shows first on the old leaves
| Nutrient | Where it starts | What you see | Fix with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrogen | old, lower leaves, the whole plant | Fewer, smaller tops that turn yellow green from the oldest leaves, and thin, stiff roots. | Urea 46 0 0, Ammonium sulfate 21 0 0 |
| Potassium | old, lower leaves, leaf edges and tips | Older leaves pale and scorch at the edges, which cup backward, and roots show violet streaks. | Muriate of potash 0 0 60, Sulfate of potash 0 0 50 |
| Phosphorus | old, lower leaves, the roots | Short plants with small, distorted leaves tinged pink or purple, and late root formation. | Single superphosphate 0 20 0, Complete 14 14 14 |
| Magnesium | old, lower leaves, between the veins | Mature leaves yellow between green veins and drop, and roots are small and pale. | Epsom salt / magnesium sulfate, Dolomite |
Shows first on the young leaves
| Nutrient | Where it starts | What you see | Fix with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boron | young leaves and the tip, the roots | Crinkled young leaves, a dead growing point, orange tinted old leaves and small carrots. | Borax |
| Calcium | young leaves and the tip, the roots | The tips of young leaves and roots brown and die, leaf edges turn ragged, and roots stay small. | Calcium chloride, Agricultural lime |
| Zinc | young leaves and the tip | Young leaves stay small (little leaf) and turn yellow. | Zinc sulfate |
Before you buy fertilizer for a carrot nutrient deficiency
So use the table to pick the likeliest carrot nutrient deficiency, then read its section below. Also keep in mind that dry soil, standing water, cold nights, a pest or a disease can look the same. That is why it pays to check the roots and the whole field first.
Nitrogen deficiency in carrot
Older leaves turn yellowish green, sometimes with red tints, then die or drop. Leaves are fewer and smaller and plants stunted. Roots grow thin, stiff and fibrous. You see it most at this stage: first 6 to 8 weeks.
Why nitrogen deficiency happens in karot
Sandy soils, heavy rain and too little fertilizer.
How to tell it apart
Potassium deficiency scorches the leaf edges. Sulfur deficiency yellows the young leaves first. To be sure, check that the oldest leaves yellowed first. Test the soil. A leaf test confirms it.
What to apply for nitrogen deficiency
Apply Urea 46 0 0 or Ammonium sulfate 21 0 0 beside the rows following the soil test. Give a 1 percent urea spray (10 g per liter, 160 g in a 16 liter sprayer). Repeat it every 15 days. A usual side dress is 1 to 2 bags of Urea 46 0 0 or 2 to 4 bags of Ammonium sulfate 21 0 0 per hectare, 30 to 45 days after planting.
- Urea 46 0 0
- Ammonium sulfate 21 0 0
- Complete 14 14 14
Sold here with nitrogen: Atlas Granular Urea (46 0 0) by Atlas Fertilizer, Amigo Planters Ammonium Chloride by La Filipina (25 0 0), Agripower 46 0 0 (Locally Blended) Coated by Green Acres Agri Tech and Calcipro by Ramgo (15.5 0 0 with 18.8 percent calcium). Check the FPA registration on the bag and follow the label rate. For the how and when, see our guide to urea fertilizer, and the page on nitrogen deficiency in every crop. In anee.io, Anee, the smart farm technician, reads a photo of the leaf and tells you which nutrient is short.
To keep it away, use compost and a balanced basal fertilizer. Split nitrogen.
Potassium deficiency in carrot
Older leaves turn pale yellow, then brown and scorched along the edges, and the margins cup backward. Leaves can turn reddish, growth slows, and violet streaks appear on the roots. You see it most at this stage: root bulking.
Why potassium deficiency happens in karot
Sandy soils and fields cropped for years without potash. Carrot needs a higher soil potassium level than field crops.
How to tell it apart
Leaf blight diseases give spots with yellow halos, scattered on the leaf. Nitrogen deficiency yellows the whole old leaf without scorching. To be sure, soil test for potassium.
What to apply for potassium deficiency
Apply Muriate of potash 0 0 60 following the soil test, split in parts. Give a 1 percent potassium chloride spray (10 g per liter, 160 g in a 16 liter sprayer). Use potassium sulfate at 10 g per liter (160 g in a 16 liter sprayer). A usual dose is 2 to 3 bags of Muriate of potash 0 0 60 per hectare, half at planting and half when the roots or tubers start to swell.
- Muriate of potash 0 0 60
- Sulfate of potash 0 0 50
- Complete 14 14 14
Sold here with potassium: Atlas Muriate of Potash (MOP) by Atlas Fertilizer (0 0 60), Simplot Sulfate 0 0 50 by Nutranta, Potassium Nitrate by Parafield (13 0 46) and Qrop Mix Production 14 0 23 plus 13 Cao by Farmtech Agriland (14 0 23 with 9.3 percent calcium). Check the FPA registration on the bag and follow the label rate. For the how and when, see our guide to potash fertilizer, and the page on potassium deficiency in every crop.
To keep it away, give potash at planting and keep the pH above 6. Keep organic matter up with compost, manure or crop residues.
Phosphorus deficiency in carrot
Plants are shorter with smaller, distorted leaves, and a pink or purple tinge appears along the margins and veins. Older leaves die early, and the storage root forms late and stays small. You see it most at this stage: early growth.
Why phosphorus deficiency happens in karot
Acid and volcanic soils, and cold, wet soils. Carrot needs a higher soil phosphorus level than field crops.
How to tell it apart
Cold weather can tint leaves purple for a short time. Phosphorus deficiency stays and stunts the plant. To be sure, soil test for available phosphorus.
What to apply for phosphorus deficiency
Apply the recommended phosphorus dose to the soil, such as single superphosphate for a quick fix or rock phosphate for the long term, following the soil test. Uptake is best at pH 6.2 to 7.0. A usual basal dose is 4 to 6 bags of Complete 14 14 14 per hectare in the furrow at planting.
- Single superphosphate 0 20 0
- Complete 14 14 14
- 16 20 0
Sold here with phosphorus: Philphos 18 46 0 (Di Ammonium Phosphate), Atlas Super Gro (16 20 0) by Atlas Fertilizer, Amigo Planters Granular Single Super Phosphate by La Filipina (0 18 0 with 11 percent sulfur) and Triple Super Phosphate by Newman Chemicals (0 46 0). Check the FPA registration on the bag and follow the label rate. For the how and when, see our guide to 16 20 0 fertilizer, and the page on phosphorus deficiency in every crop.
To keep it away, mix phosphorus into the beds before sowing.
Boron deficiency in carrot
Young leaves crinkle and the growing point may die, giving a rosette of leaves. Older leaves can turn orange. Seeds come up poorly and carrots stay small. You see it most at this stage: from sowing to root bulking.
Why boron deficiency happens in karot
Sandy soils low in organic matter, soils at pH 7 or above, over limed soils and dry spells.
How to tell it apart
Calcium deficiency also damages the growing tips but gives ragged, brittle leaf edges. To be sure, soil test for boron. In a soil test, less than 0.5 ppm of boron is low.
What to apply for boron deficiency
Give a 0.5 percent borax spray (5 g per liter, 80 g in a 16 liter sprayer). For the soil, give about 10 kg Borax per hectare. Carrot needs a medium amount of boron. On soils testing low, give about 1 to 2 kg of boron per hectare, about 10 to 20 kg borax. Give boron before flowering: flowers and fruit set need it most.
- Borax
Sold here with boron: Etifert 11 (Borax Decahydrate) by Zetryl Chem (11 percent boron), Fertibagra 15G by Unilox Far East Resources (14.6 percent boron), B17 (Boric Acid) by Newman Chemicals (17 percent boron) and Better Yield by Bacphil Planters Fertilizer (0 0 0.9 with 10 percent boron). Check the FPA registration on the bag and follow the label rate. For the how and when, see our guide to foliar fertilizer, and the page on boron deficiency in every crop.
To keep it away, test for boron on sandy fields and do not over lime. Test the soil every two or three years. Keep organic matter up with compost, manure or crop residues.
Calcium deficiency in carrot
Symptoms start on young leaves: growing tips of leaves and roots brown and die, young leaves scorch. Leaf edges turn ragged and brittle. Internodes shorten into a rosette and roots are much smaller. You see it most at this stage: early growth.
Why calcium deficiency happens in karot
Very acid soils, high phosphorus, and boron shortage. Heavy potash or ammonium fertilizer, salty soil and dry spells keep calcium from reaching fruit and young leaves.
How to tell it apart
Boron deficiency also kills the growing point but crinkles the leaves and tints old leaves orange. To be sure, soil pH and calcium test. A soil test for calcium and pH, and a leaf test, confirm it.
What to apply for calcium deficiency
Give a 0.5 to 1 percent calcium chloride spray (5 to 10 g per liter, 80 to 160 g in a 16 liter sprayer). On acid soils, lime about 250 kg per hectare where the pH is 5.5 to 6. About 840 kg per hectare in two splits where it is 3.5 to 4.5. On alkaline soils use Gypsum.
- Calcium chloride
- Agricultural lime
- Gypsum
Sold here with calcium: Planters Products Lifelime (36.2 percent calcium), Dolomite by A6 Agrisource (24 percent calcium and 11 percent magnesium), Calcipro by Ramgo (15.5 0 0 with 18.8 percent calcium) and Philphos Gypsum (22.2 percent calcium and 17.4 percent sulfur). Check the FPA registration on the bag and follow the label rate. For the how and when, see our guide to fertilizer for tomatoes, and the page on calcium deficiency in every crop.
To keep it away, lime acid beds ahead of sowing. Test the soil every two or three years. Keep potash in balance with magnesium and calcium.
Magnesium deficiency in carrot
Leaves just reaching full size yellow between green veins, then get dead spots and drop. Roots come out small, stiff and pale. You see it most at this stage: mid season.
Why magnesium deficiency happens in karot
Acid, sandy soils and heavy potash.
How to tell it apart
Potassium deficiency scorches the edges first. To be sure, soil test for magnesium.
What to apply for magnesium deficiency
Give a 0.5 to 1 percent magnesium sulfate spray (5 to 10 g Epsom salt per liter). Give about 80 kg magnesium sulfate per hectare in bands near the plants. Apply it apart from potash. Put the soil dose in before planting or when the rains begin. Sprays show results in 10 to 14 days.
- Epsom salt / magnesium sulfate
- Dolomite
Sold here with magnesium: Dolomite by A6 Agrisource (24 percent calcium and 11 percent magnesium), Agsmart Kieserite Granule (20 percent sulfur and 16.3 percent magnesium), DDDD Planter's Choice Magnesium Sulphate Monohydrate by Modern Time (15.1 percent magnesium) and Zetryl MAG 9 by Zetryl Chem (9 percent magnesium). Check the FPA registration on the bag and follow the label rate. For the how and when, see our guide to complete fertilizer, and the page on magnesium deficiency in every crop.
To keep it away, use dolomite on acid soils. Test the soil every two or three years. Lime acid soil with Dolomite rather than plain lime.
Zinc deficiency in carrot
Young leaves come out smaller than normal, the little leaf sign, and turn yellow. Older leaves usually look normal, since the shortage shows in new growth. You see it most at this stage: early growth.
Why zinc deficiency happens in karot
High pH soils and heavy phosphorus.
How to tell it apart
Iron deficiency yellows young leaves between green veins without making them smaller. To be sure, soil or leaf test for zinc. In a soil test, less than 0.8 ppm of zinc is low.
What to apply for zinc deficiency
Give a 0.5 percent zinc sulfate spray (5 g per liter, 80 g in a 16 liter sprayer). A usual soil dose is 20 to 25 kg of Zinc sulfate per hectare (about 5 kg of zinc), mixed with the basal fertilizer. It lasts two or three crops.
- Zinc sulfate
Sold here with zinc: Harvester Zinc Sulphate Heptahydrate by Universal Harvester (22 percent zinc), Petbowe Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate (33 percent zinc), Tierramino ZN by Unilox Far East Resources (7 0 0 with 10 percent zinc) and Liquid Chelate Zinc with Sulfur by Sagrex (10 percent zinc and 5 percent sulfur). Check the FPA registration on the bag and follow the label rate. For the how and when, see our guide to fertilizer with zinc, and the page on zinc deficiency in every crop.
To keep it away, test for zinc on high pH beds. Test the soil every two or three years. Do not overdo phosphorus.
A soil test is the surest check for any carrot nutrient deficiency. Before you buy, ask your Municipal Agriculture Office where to send a soil sample. The DA regional soil laboratories test soil, and the result says how much of each fertilizer your karot needs. That saves money, because extra fertilizer is money lost.
Open the Nutrient Deficiency Finder, pick karot, say where the leaves changed first and what you see, and get the fertilizers sold here that fix it.
- Anee, the smart farm technician, reads a photo of the leaf
- The cropping calendar dates every fertilizer application of your season
Carrot nutrient deficiency questions
Why are my karot leaves turning yellow?
What fertilizer fixes nitrogen deficiency in carrot?
What fertilizer fixes potassium deficiency in carrot?
What fertilizer fixes phosphorus deficiency in carrot?
How do I know which nutrient my karot lacks?
Find the missing nutrient and fix it
With Libre + Anee, read the whole guide: how to tell the deficiency from look alikes, how to be sure, what to apply, and the fertilizers sold here that supply it.
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