Eggplant Nutrient Deficiency: Signs, Causes and the Fertilizer That Fixes It
Eggplant nutrient deficiency is one of the first things to check when the leaves of your talong (eggplant) turn yellow, purple or burnt at the edges. On Philippine farms the usual ones are nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, boron, zinc and sulfur. 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 calcium, boron, zinc and sulfur 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 eggplant nutrient deficiency you have, and a soil test confirms it. Each one below has its signs, its causes and its fix.
Eggplant 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 | Bottom leaves turn pale yellow, plants stay thin, and fruits come small and pale. | Urea 46 0 0, Ammonium sulfate 21 0 0 |
| Potassium | old, lower leaves, leaf edges and tips | Older leaves get scorched, crinkled edges and stems feel weak. | Muriate of potash 0 0 60, Sulfate of potash 0 0 50 |
| Phosphorus | old, lower leaves, the roots | Stems, leaf stalks and the undersides of old leaves turn purplish and the plant stays short. | Ammonium phosphate 16 20 0, Complete 14 14 14 |
| Magnesium | old, lower leaves, between the veins | Mature leaves turn yellow in the middle between green veins, with spotted dead patches. | Magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt), Dolomite |
Shows first on the young leaves
| Nutrient | Where it starts | What you see | Fix with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calcium | fruit, grain or tubers, young leaves and the tip | Brown to black leathery spots at the bottom end of the fruit and curled, hard young leaves. | Agricultural lime, Dolomite |
| Boron | young leaves and the tip | New leaves come out wrinkled and brittle, tips die, and the plant stops branching and flowering. | Borax, Solubor (sodium borate) |
| Zinc | young leaves and the tip, between the veins | Small, bunched rosettes of yellowish new leaves and flowers that drop without fruiting. | Zinc sulfate |
| Sulfur | young leaves and the tip, the whole plant | Young leaves turn evenly yellow, stay narrow and pointed, and veins look reddish. | Ammonium sulfate 21 0 0, Gypsum |
Before you buy fertilizer for a eggplant nutrient deficiency
So use the table to pick the likeliest eggplant 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 eggplant
Yellowing starts on the older, lower leaves and moves up the plant. Plants are stunted and spindly with small leaves. Fewer flowers open and fewer fruits set, and the fruits that form are small and pale. You see it most at this stage: from early growth through the long harvest period, when the plant keeps flowering and fruiting.
Why nitrogen deficiency happens in talong
Sandy soils, heavy rain or watering that leaches nitrogen, low organic matter, and too long a gap between side dressings during harvest.
How to tell it apart
Sulfur shortage yellows the young top leaves first and turns veins reddish. Magnesium shortage keeps the veins green on the old leaves. To be sure, note that the bottom leaves yellow first. Confirm with a soil test and a leaf tissue test.
What to apply for nitrogen deficiency
Side dress with urea or ammonium sulfate based on your soil test, in small split doses through the harvest season. For a quick green up, try a urea spray at 10 grams per liter of water (160 grams in a 16 liter sprayer), once every 15 days. Side dress 5 to 10 grams of Urea 46 0 0 a plant, about 1 to 2 bags per hectare, every two to three weeks from flowering, and water it in.
- 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, Crown Champion Ammonium Sulfate by Aqua Hydroponic Prime Ventures (21 0 0 with 24 percent sulfur), 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, add compost or manure at bed preparation and side dress regularly once harvesting starts, since every picking removes nitrogen.
Potassium deficiency in eggplant
Older leaves show dead tissue along the edges and between the veins, then curl, crinkle and look scorched. The plant makes fewer leaves, the stems are weak, and roots and fruits develop poorly. You see it most at this stage: fruiting and harvest, when the fruits draw potassium from the leaves.
Why potassium deficiency happens in talong
Sandy or acid soils, heavy rain that leaches potassium, and long harvest seasons with no potash side dressing.
How to tell it apart
Salt burn also scorches leaf edges. Test the water or soil salt if fertilizer was heavy. To be sure, soil test for exchangeable potassium and a leaf tissue test.
What to apply for potassium deficiency
Apply muriate of potash based on your soil test, preferably in split doses. For an immediate remedy, try a morning spray of sulfate of potash at 10 grams per liter of water (160 grams in a 16 liter sprayer) with a sticker. Keep soil pH above 6 with lime or dolomite. A usual dose is 1 to 2 bags of Muriate of potash 0 0 60 or Sulfate of potash 0 0 50 per hectare, split from flowering to fruit fill.
- 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, include potash in the basal fertilizer and in side dressings during harvest. Add organic matter.
Phosphorus deficiency in eggplant
Older leaves are affected first. Stems, leaf stalks and leaf undersides, especially along the veins, turn purplish. Plants stay stunted, leaf tips and edges can scorch, and roots and fruits develop poorly. You see it most at this stage: seedling and early growth after transplanting.
Why phosphorus deficiency happens in talong
Strongly acid or iron rich soils that hold phosphorus tightly, low organic matter, cold or waterlogged soil.
How to tell it apart
Purple color on young seedlings in cool weather can fade on its own. Nitrogen shortage gives pale leaves rather than purple ones. To be sure, soil test for available phosphorus and pH.
What to apply for phosphorus deficiency
Apply the recommended phosphorus fertilizer near the roots based on your soil test. Use single superphosphate for a quick correction and rock phosphate or bone meal for the long term. Phosphorus is best taken up near pH 6.2 to 7.0, so lime very acid soil. A usual basal dose is 4 to 6 bags of Complete 14 14 14 per hectare, 10 to 20 grams a hill, mixed into the soil at transplanting.
- Ammonium phosphate 16 20 0
- Complete 14 14 14
- Single superphosphate
- Rock phosphate
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, use a phosphorus starter at transplanting and add manure or compost.
Magnesium deficiency in eggplant
Fully grown leaves turn yellow between the veins while the veins and often the leaf edges stay green. Small dead spots appear in the yellow areas, leaf stalks can show purple mottling, and leaves become deformed and drop early. Yield falls. You see it most at this stage: fruiting and the long harvest period.
Why magnesium deficiency happens in talong
Sandy acid soils, heavy rain, and heavy potash or ammonium fertilizer that block magnesium uptake.
How to tell it apart
Iron and zinc shortage start on the young top leaves. Nitrogen shortage yellows the whole leaf. To be sure, soil test for magnesium and potassium, and a leaf tissue test.
What to apply for magnesium deficiency
Try magnesium sulfate in a band near the plants at about 80 kg per hectare. A foliar spray of magnesium sulfate gives faster relief. Do not apply magnesium and potassium fertilizer together. For quick help, spray Magnesium sulfate at 1 to 2 percent (160 to 320 grams in a 16 liter sprayer) two or three times, 10 to 14 days apart.
- Magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt)
- 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 over the long term. Test the soil every two or three years. Lime acid soil with Dolomite rather than plain lime.
Calcium deficiency in eggplant
Young leaves are affected first: they crinkle, curl upward and feel hard, and growing tips can die back. The sign to look for is blossom end rot: tough, leathery patches, brown to black, at the bottom or tip of the fruit. You see it most at this stage: fruit development, especially in dry spells or with uneven watering.
Why calcium deficiency happens in talong
Uneven or too little watering, fast growth, acid soils low in calcium, high phosphorus. Boron shortage, which the plant needs to use calcium. Heavy potash or ammonium fertilizer, salty soil and dry spells keep calcium from reaching fruit and young leaves.
How to tell it apart
Fruit rots from disease spread fast and grow mould. Blossom end rot starts as a dry, firm patch at the blossom end. To be sure, soil test for calcium and pH, plus a record of watering. Look for curled hard young leaves together with the fruit spots.
What to apply for calcium deficiency
Water evenly and mulch. On acid soil, lime by the soil test: usually 1 to 3 tons of Agricultural lime or Dolomite per hectare, mixed in 2 to 4 weeks before planting. Gypsum on soil that is not acid. Check and correct boron too.
- Agricultural lime
- Dolomite
- Gypsum
- Calcium nitrate
Sold here with calcium: Micronized Activated Calcite by CMCS Agricultural Products (37.6 percent calcium), Dolomite by A6 Agrisource (24 percent calcium and 11 percent magnesium), Titon Pro by Vast Agro (27.2 percent calcium, 6.1 percent silicon and 3.6 percent magnesium) 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 fertilizer for tomatoes, and the page on calcium deficiency in every crop.
To keep it away, lime acid soil before planting, keep watering steady, and avoid very heavy phosphorus. Keep potash in balance with magnesium and calcium.
Boron deficiency in eggplant
New leaves are misshapen and brittle, with wrinkled bases. Growing tips die, the spaces between leaves are short, and the plant is stunted. Branching and flowering fail, so few fruits set. You see it most at this stage: flowering and early fruiting.
Why boron deficiency happens in talong
Sandy soils where boron leaches, alkaline or heavily limed soils, low organic matter and drought.
How to tell it apart
Calcium shortage also hits young tissue but brings blossom end rot. Virus diseases also distort new leaves. To be sure, soil test for boron and a leaf tissue test. In a soil test, less than 0.5 ppm of boron is low.
What to apply for boron deficiency
Try borax in the soil at about 10 kg per hectare or a borax spray at 1 gram per liter of water (16 grams in a 16 liter sprayer). Eggplant has a medium boron need, about 2.2 kg of boron per hectare before planting. Do not mix borax with calcium or ammonium fertilizer in one application.
- Borax
- Solubor (sodium borate)
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, add boron to the basal fertilizer on sandy or limed fields, but do not repeat doses without a test. Test the soil every two or three years. Keep organic matter up with compost, manure or crop residues.
Zinc deficiency in eggplant
Young leaves yellow between the veins, which can turn whitish. Leaves are small, few and distorted or bunched in rosettes, and the spaces between leaves are short. Growth and fruiting slow down and flowers fail to set fruit. You see it most at this stage: vegetative growth and flowering.
Why zinc deficiency happens in talong
High pH or overlimed soil, heavy phosphorus fertilizer, and waterlogged soil.
How to tell it apart
Iron shortage keeps normal leaf size. Virus diseases also make small mottled leaves. To be sure, soil test for zinc and pH, and a leaf tissue test. In a soil test, less than 0.8 ppm of zinc is low.
What to apply for zinc deficiency
Try zinc sulfate in the soil at about 20 kg per hectare. In severe cases a morning spray of zinc sulfate at 2 grams plus calcium carbonate at 2.5 grams per liter of water (40 grams in a 16 liter sprayer). Do not apply zinc with phosphate fertilizer. Give the soil dose at planting or when the rains begin, and sprays on young growth.
- Zinc sulfate
Sold here with zinc: Harvester Zinc Sulphate Heptahydrate by Universal Harvester (22 percent zinc), Tierramino ZN by Unilox Far East Resources (7 0 0 with 10 percent zinc), Semia by SCL Filipinas (20 percent zinc) and Omex Zynergy by Jardine Distribution (3.8 percent zinc and 2.1 percent copper). 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, keep soil pH between 5 and 7.5 and avoid phosphorus beyond what the soil test calls for.
Sulfur deficiency in eggplant
Young leaves turn pale, then yellow overall. Veins and leaf stalks turn reddish, leaves are narrow, pointed and small and curl downward, and growth is held back. You see it most at this stage: early growth on light soils.
Why sulfur deficiency happens in talong
Sandy, low organic matter soils and long use of fertilizers with no sulfur.
How to tell it apart
Nitrogen shortage starts on the old leaves at the bottom. To be sure, soil test for sulfate and a leaf tissue test. In a soil test, less than 10 ppm of sulfate sulfur is low.
What to apply for sulfur deficiency
Use sulfur containing fertilizer such as ammonium sulfate or single superphosphate. Try sulfur dust at about 25 kg per hectare on sulfur deficient soil, and gypsum on alkaline soil. Give it at planting or with the first side dress.
- Ammonium sulfate 21 0 0
- Gypsum
- Elemental sulfur
Sold here with sulfur: Crown Champion Ammonium Sulfate by Aqua Hydroponic Prime Ventures (21 0 0 with 24 percent sulfur), Philphos Gypsum (22.2 percent calcium and 17.4 percent sulfur), Harvester Sulphate of Potash by Universal Harvester (0 0 50 with 17.5 percent sulfur) and Agsmart Kieserite Granule (20 percent sulfur and 16.3 percent magnesium). Check the FPA registration on the bag and follow the label rate. For the how and when, see our guide to ammonium sulfate fertilizer, and the page on sulfur deficiency in every crop.
To keep it away, use some ammonium sulfate in the fertilizer program and add organic matter. Test the soil every two or three years.
A soil test is the surest check for any eggplant 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 talong needs. That saves money, because extra fertilizer is money lost.
Open the Nutrient Deficiency Finder, pick talong, 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
Eggplant nutrient deficiency questions
Why are my talong leaves turning yellow?
What fertilizer fixes nitrogen deficiency in eggplant?
What fertilizer fixes potassium deficiency in eggplant?
What fertilizer fixes phosphorus deficiency in eggplant?
How do I know which nutrient my talong 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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