Mangosteen Nutrient Deficiency: Signs, Causes and the Fertilizer That Fixes It
Mangosteen nutrient deficiency is one of the first things to check when the leaves of your mangostan (mangosteen) turn yellow, purple or burnt at the edges. On Philippine farms the usual ones are nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and iron. 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, phosphorus and potassium move inside the plant, so a shortage shows on the old, lower leaves first. But calcium and iron 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 mangosteen nutrient deficiency you have, and a soil test confirms it. Each one below has its signs, its causes and its fix.
Mangosteen 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 | Pale, slow trees whose older leaves yellow evenly and drop, with few new flushes. | Urea 46 0 0, Ammonium sulfate 21 0 0 |
| Phosphorus | old, lower leaves | Slow growth, dull older leaves with a purple or bronze tint, and many flowers and young fruits dropping. | 12 24 12, 16 20 0 |
| Potassium | old, lower leaves, leaf edges and tips | Older leaf edges yellow and burn brown. Fewer flowers set fruit. | Muriate of potash 0 0 60, Sulfate of potash 0 0 50 |
Shows first on the young leaves
| Nutrient | Where it starts | What you see | Fix with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calcium | fruit, grain or tubers | Glassy, water soaked flesh inside the fruit, and yellow gum (gamboge) in the flesh or oozing on the rind. | Agricultural lime, Dolomite |
| Iron | young leaves and the tip, between the veins | Seedlings in the nursery whose young leaves turn more and more yellow while old leaves stay green. | Ferrous sulfate, Urea 46 0 0 |
Before you buy fertilizer for a mangosteen nutrient deficiency
So use the table to pick the likeliest mangosteen 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 mangosteen
The tree turns light green, the older leaves yellow evenly, veins included, and fall early. Mangosteen is slow growing anyway, but a short tree puts out even fewer and smaller flushes and takes longer to bear. You see it most at this stage: young trees in the years before bearing, and bearing trees after harvest.
Why nitrogen deficiency happens in mangostan
Trees that get no fertilizer, poor sandy soils and weedy rings. Leaf nitrogen of mangosteen drops during flowering and fruiting and climbs again during leaf growth. So it runs short after a heavy crop.
How to tell it apart
Young mangosteen trees need partial shade, and seedlings in full sun yellow and scorch even when well fed. Iron shortage yellows the young leaves, not the old ones. To be sure, A leaf test of mature leaves from the last flush and a soil test. Leaves that green up within weeks after a nitrogen dose confirm it.
What to apply for nitrogen deficiency
Give 200 to 250 grams of complete fertilizer per tree at planting. Young trees get 300 to 500 grams of Complete 14 14 14 or 12 24 12 plus 200 to 300 grams of urea per tree per year, in two equal doses at the start and end of the rainy season, in four to six holes around the canopy edge. Enough nitrogen lifts both growth and yield.
- Urea 46 0 0
- Ammonium sulfate 21 0 0
- Complete 14 14 14
- 12 24 12
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, fertilize every year in two splits, increase the dose as the tree grows, and add organic fertilizer, which mangosteen responds to well. Let a soil test and the crop's color set the season's nitrogen.
Phosphorus deficiency in mangosteen
The tree grows slowly and older leaves turn dull with a purple or bronze tint, mostly underneath. More phosphorus means better flower and fruit set and less flower and fruit drop. So a shortage shows as poor set and heavy drop. You see it most at this stage: flowering and fruit set, and young trees.
Why phosphorus deficiency happens in mangostan
Very acid soils that hold phosphorus tightly. Mangosteen trees often run very low in phosphorus, lower than in nitrogen or potassium.
How to tell it apart
Flower and fruit drop also follow drought or heavy rain at flowering. Nitrogen deficiency makes old leaves pale yellow rather than purple. To be sure, A leaf test of mature leaves and a soil test for available phosphorus and pH.
What to apply for phosphorus deficiency
Use a high phosphorus complete fertilizer such as 12 24 12: 1.5 to 3.0 kg per bearing tree per year with potash, in two equal doses at the start and end of the rainy season. On very acid soils add lime, following the soil test, so the phosphorus stays available. Give 200 to 500 grams of Complete 14 14 14 a young tree, up to 1 to 2 kg a bearing tree, when the rains begin.
- 12 24 12
- 16 20 0
- Superphosphate 0 20 0
- Ammonium phosphate 18 46 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 and compost into the planting hole, and keep a high phosphorus grade in the yearly program.
Potassium deficiency in mangosteen
Edges and tips of older leaves yellow, then dry brown, and the scorch moves inward. Growth slows and fewer flowers set fruit. Potash lifts growth and the share of flowers and fruits that set. You see it most at this stage: bearing trees during flowering and fruit growth.
Why potassium deficiency happens in mangostan
Heavy crops remove potash, and leached, acid soils under heavy rain lose it. Mangosteen trees often run low to medium in potassium.
How to tell it apart
Sun scorch on exposed young trees and dry wind also brown leaf edges, mainly on the sunny or windward side. Fertilizer burn shows soon after a heavy dose near the trunk. To be sure, A leaf test of mature leaves and a soil test for exchangeable potassium.
What to apply for potassium deficiency
Give bearing trees 1.5 to 3.0 kg of Complete 14 14 14 or 12 24 12 plus 200 to 300 grams of Muriate of potash 0 0 60 per tree per year, in two equal doses at the start and end of the rainy season, in holes around the canopy edge. Increase it each year as the crop grows.
- 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 every year once the tree bears, and return leaf litter and husks to the ring. Test the soil every two or three years. Keep organic matter up with compost, manure or crop residues.
Calcium deficiency in mangosteen
The two main fruit disorders of mangosteen, translucent flesh and gamboge, are linked to calcium. With translucent flesh, some segments look glassy and water soaked, and it shows only when the fruit is opened. With gamboge, yellow gum appears in the flesh and the rind and can ooze onto the skin. The two often come together and cut the share of fruits fit to sell. You see it most at this stage: fruit growth, from about six weeks after bloom to harvest.
Why calcium deficiency happens in mangostan
Very acid soils low in nutrients. Affected orchards often have soil of about pH 3.9 to 4.9. Calcium moves poorly into fruit, so a short supply during fruit growth shows in the flesh first.
How to tell it apart
Heavy rain during fruit growth is also tied to these disorders, so they can show even with fair calcium. Insect bites and knocks on the rind also make yellow gum ooze, but only at the wound. To be sure, cut open a sample of fruits to count glassy and gummy ones. A soil test for pH and calcium, and a leaf test. Affected flesh can still test high in total calcium, so do not rely on a fruit test alone.
What to apply for calcium deficiency
Spray Calcium chloride at 10 percent (100 grams per liter, 1600 grams in a 16 liter sprayer) on the fruit at 6, 7 and 8 weeks after bloom for more normal fruit. Adding a little boron made it work better. This is a strong salt, so test it on a few branches first. Calcium put on the soil also cuts these fruit disorders. On acid soils use Agricultural lime or Dolomite, following the soil test for the rate. On acid soil give 0.5 to 1 kg of Agricultural lime or Dolomite a tree a year. Where the soil is not acid, Gypsum at the same rate.
- Agricultural lime
- Dolomite
- Gypsum
- Calcium chloride
- Calcium nitrate
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 very acid soils, keep water steady during fruit growth, and drain wet spots. Keep potash in balance with magnesium and calcium.
Iron deficiency in mangosteen
Young leaves turn progressively yellow, first between the veins, while the older leaves stay green. Seedlings that spend 12 months in a shaded nursery can show it, with low iron and manganese in the leaves. You see it most at this stage: nursery seedlings and young trees in pots.
Why iron deficiency happens in mangostan
Mangosteen is poor at taking up iron, even from a potting mix rich in iron. High pH or overlimed mixes and soggy pots make it worse.
How to tell it apart
Manganese shortage also yellows young leaves. If an iron spray greens them and a manganese spray does not, iron is the cause. To be sure, spray a few seedlings with iron and see if the next leaves come out green. A leaf test for iron and manganese. In a soil test, less than 4.5 ppm of iron is low.
What to apply for iron deficiency
Spray Ferrous sulfate mixed with a little urea on the leaves, following the label. This brings the green back to the seedlings. In the nursery, add iron to the potting mix or spray it on the seedlings. Spray Ferrous sulfate at 0.5 to 1 percent (80 to 160 grams in a 16 liter sprayer), or an iron chelate at the label rate, two or three times 7 to 10 days apart.
- Ferrous sulfate
- Urea 46 0 0
Sold here with iron: DDDD Planter's Choice Ferrous Sulphate Heptahydrate by Modern Time (19 percent iron), Ferrous Sulfate Monohydrate by Zetryl Chem (30 percent iron), Ferrous Sulphate Monohydrate by Newman Chemicals (30 percent iron) and Liquid Chelate Iron with Sulfur by Sagrex (5 percent iron and 3 percent sulfur). 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 iron deficiency in every crop.
To keep it away, use a slightly acid, well drained potting mix, do not overlime it, and add iron to the nursery program. Test the soil every two or three years. Keep organic matter up with compost, manure or crop residues.
A soil test is the surest check for any mangosteen 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 mangostan needs. That saves money, because extra fertilizer is money lost.
Open the Nutrient Deficiency Finder, pick mangostan, 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
Mangosteen nutrient deficiency questions
Why are my mangostan leaves turning yellow?
What fertilizer fixes nitrogen deficiency in mangosteen?
What fertilizer fixes phosphorus deficiency in mangosteen?
What fertilizer fixes potassium deficiency in mangosteen?
How do I know which nutrient my mangostan lacks?
- NParks Singapore (Jiang Qiuyun): Identifying nutrient deficiency in plants
- Pechkeo, Sdoodee and Nilnond 2007, Calcium and boron sprays and translucent flesh and gamboge disorder in mangosteen (Agriculture and Natural Resources)
- Poovarodom and Phanchindawan 2013, Pectin and calcium in cell walls of mangosteen fruits with physiological disorders (Acta Horticulturae 984)
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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