Strawberry Nutrient Deficiency: Signs, Causes and the Fertilizer That Fixes It
Strawberry nutrient deficiency is one of the first things to check when the leaves of your presa (strawberry) turn yellow, purple or burnt at the edges. On Philippine farms the usual ones are nitrogen, potassium, calcium, boron, phosphorus, magnesium 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, potassium, phosphorus and magnesium move inside the plant, so a shortage shows on the old, lower leaves first. But calcium, boron 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 strawberry nutrient deficiency you have, and a soil test confirms it. Each one below has its signs, its causes and its fix.
Strawberry 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 | Mature leaves turn pale then evenly yellow, with reddish stalks and edges. | Calcium nitrate, Ammonium sulfate 21 0 0 |
| Potassium | old, lower leaves, leaf edges and tips | Mature leaves brown and dry along the edges, with sunken brown spots and dark leaf stalks. | Sulfate of potash 0 0 50, Potassium nitrate 13 0 46 |
| Phosphorus | old, lower leaves | Older leaves turn dull deep green with a metallic sheen and purple undersides. | Ammonium phosphate 16 20 0, Complete 14 14 14 |
| Magnesium | old, lower leaves, leaf edges and tips | Older leaf edges yellow and scorch, then the leaf turns bright yellow while its base stays green. | Magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt), Dolomite |
Shows first on the young leaves
| Nutrient | Where it starts | What you see | Fix with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calcium | young leaves and the tip, leaf edges and tips | Young leaves crinkle with dead tips, and berries are small, hard and seedy at the tip. | Calcium nitrate, Agricultural lime |
| Boron | young leaves and the tip, fruit, grain or tubers | Misshapen, bumpy berries, aborted flowers and small young leaves with dark dead tips. | Borax, Solubor (sodium borate) |
| Iron | young leaves and the tip, between the veins | The youngest centre leaves turn pale yellow between the veins and can bleach. | Iron chelate, Ferrous sulfate |
Before you buy fertilizer for a strawberry nutrient deficiency
So use the table to pick the likeliest strawberry 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 strawberry
Mature leaves are hit first: they turn pale green, then evenly yellow, and stay small. As they age, the leaf edges and stalks turn reddish and whole blades can redden. In severe cases lower leaves turn yellow to red with dead blotches and growth is badly stunted. You see it most at this stage: runner and leaf growth, and during long fruiting periods.
Why nitrogen deficiency happens in presa
Sandy soils, heavy rain or irrigation, low organic matter, raw manure or straw mulch tying up nitrogen. Very low or high pH.
How to tell it apart
Sulfur or molybdenum shortage can give similar yellowing. A leaf test settles it. To be sure, leaf tissue test and soil test.
What to apply for nitrogen deficiency
Side dress or fertigate small, frequent doses of nitrogen based on the soil test. Follow the soil test for the rate. 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.
- Calcium nitrate
- Ammonium sulfate 21 0 0
- Urea 46 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 before planting and feed little and often rather than one big dose.
Potassium deficiency in strawberry
The first sign is browning and drying along the edges of mature leaves, which spreads inward between the veins. Light and dark brown sunken spots can appear on the blade, with yellowing between the veins. The leaf base, midrib and stalk may darken and, in severe cases, die. You see it most at this stage: fruiting.
Why potassium deficiency happens in presa
Acid or sandy soils, heavy rain or irrigation, drought, low potassium reserves and soils rich in magnesium.
How to tell it apart
Magnesium shortage and salt burn give similar edges. Potassium shortage usually also affects the leaf base. To be sure, run a leaf tissue test and a soil test. Leaves holding less than 0.5 percent potassium are short.
What to apply for potassium deficiency
Apply sulfate of potash or potassium nitrate based on the soil test, in split doses. Follow the soil test for the rate. 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.
- Sulfate of potash 0 0 50
- Potassium nitrate 13 0 46
- Muriate of potash 0 0 60
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, keep potash in the fertilizer program through fruiting. Keep organic matter up with compost, manure or crop residues.
Calcium deficiency in strawberry
Young leaf blades crinkle and may get dead tips (tip burn), most often during fast leaf growth. Fruits are small, hard and sour, with a dense cluster of seeds at the tip or over the whole berry. You see it most at this stage: fast leaf growth and fruiting.
Why calcium deficiency happens in presa
Acid soils, sandy soils, drought, and high nitrogen or potassium. A leaf holding less than 0.2 percent calcium is short.
How to tell it apart
Boron shortage gives similar leaf symptoms, but its small fruits are bumpy and misshapen. To be sure, leaf tissue test for calcium and boron, and a soil pH test.
What to apply for calcium deficiency
Keep watering even and lime acid soil based on the soil test. Calcium nitrate as part of the feed supplies calcium. Follow the soil test for rates. 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. On soil that is not acid, use 200 to 500 kg of Gypsum per hectare.
- Calcium nitrate
- Agricultural lime
- Gypsum
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 beds before planting and avoid heavy nitrogen and potash.
Boron deficiency in strawberry
Leaves yellow between the veins from the edges, medium aged leaves get bronze veins near the edges. The youngest leaves have dark dead tips and stay very small. Flowers are damaged or abort, and poor fruit set gives misshapen, bumpy berries that are smaller and softer. Side roots are stubby and brown. You see it most at this stage: flowering and fruit set.
Why boron deficiency happens in presa
High soil pH or sandy soils where boron leaches, low organic matter, high nitrogen or calcium, and drought.
How to tell it apart
Poor pollination from too few bees or cold also gives misshapen berries, but leaves stay normal. Calcium shortage also kills leaf tips. To be sure, leaf tissue test for boron and calcium before treating. In a soil test, less than 0.5 ppm of boron is low.
What to apply for boron deficiency
Apply boron only after a test confirms it. Strawberry has a medium boron need, about 2.2 kg of boron per hectare before planting. Do not repeat doses.
- 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, keep organic matter up and avoid overliming. Test the soil every two or three years.
Phosphorus deficiency in strawberry
Older leaves are dark green and slightly small, with a purple tint that deepens as they age. Upper surfaces can take a dark metallic sheen while undersides turn reddish purple. In severe cases edges yellow then brown from the tips, and flowers and fruits are smaller, sometimes with pale patches. You see it most at this stage: early growth in cold or wet soil, and before flowering.
Why phosphorus deficiency happens in presa
Cold, dry or wet conditions, strongly acid or alkaline soils, iron rich soils, low organic matter and weak roots.
How to tell it apart
Cool weather alone can redden old strawberry leaves. To be sure, leaf stalk tissue test and soil test for available phosphorus.
What to apply for phosphorus deficiency
Apply phosphorus near the roots based on the soil test. Follow the soil test for the rate. 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
- Diammonium 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, use a phosphorus fertilizer at planting and keep the soil near pH 5.5 to 6.5.
Magnesium deficiency in strawberry
Older leaves show it first: the edges turn yellow and scorch. Yellowing spreads inward between the veins until the leaf is bright yellow with dead tints. The leaf base stays green longest. Later the oldest leaves can turn fully brown while young centre leaves stay green. You see it most at this stage: fruiting.
Why magnesium deficiency happens in presa
Sandy or acid soils, soils rich in potassium, heavy potash fertilizer and cold wet weather.
How to tell it apart
Potassium shortage and salt damage look similar, but potassium shortage usually also darkens the leaf base. To be sure, do a leaf tissue test and a soil test. Leaves under 0.1 percent magnesium are short.
What to apply for magnesium deficiency
Spray magnesium sulfate on the leaves for quick relief and correct the soil with dolomite or magnesium sulfate based on the soil test. A usual dose is 100 to 150 kg of Kieserite or 150 to 200 kg of Magnesium sulfate per hectare at planting. On acid soil, 1 to 2 tons of Dolomite mixed in before planting both limes and feeds. 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 beds and keep potash balanced.
Iron deficiency in strawberry
Yellow or pale yellow color appears between the veins of the youngest leaves. If it lasts, the veins also yellow and leaves bleach, then dead areas spread from the edges, and growth is stunted. Fruits are rarely affected. You see it most at this stage: any stage, often after heavy watering or liming.
Why iron deficiency happens in presa
Soil pH above 6.5, calcareous or overlimed soils, waterlogged soils, and high copper, manganese or zinc. Root damage, including from waterlogging, gives the same look.
How to tell it apart
Magnesium and manganese shortage usually do not start on the youngest leaves. To be sure, test the soil pH and the leaf tissue. Leaves holding under 40 ppm iron are short.
What to apply for iron deficiency
Improve drainage, stop liming, and spray iron chelate or ferrous sulfate on the leaves. Follow the product label. 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.
- Iron chelate
- Ferrous sulfate
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, keep beds raised and well drained and do not overlime. 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 strawberry 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 presa needs. That saves money, because extra fertilizer is money lost.
Open the Nutrient Deficiency Finder, pick presa, 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
Strawberry nutrient deficiency questions
Why are my presa leaves turning yellow?
What fertilizer fixes nitrogen deficiency in strawberry?
What fertilizer fixes potassium deficiency in strawberry?
What fertilizer fixes calcium deficiency in strawberry?
How do I know which nutrient my presa 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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