Indicator crops, as the name indicates, give an characteristic symptom of the nutrient deficiency in that particular crop at that time. A prominent example is whiptail in cauliflower, which is caused due to molybdenum deficiency in the field.
Indicator Crops in case of Nitrogen are Maize , Sorghum ,Leguminous plants (Pulses)
Indicator crops in case of Phosphorus are Tomato ,Maize, Lucerne, Cereals, Duranta
In case of Potassium the indicator crop is Maize, Lucerne , Cotton, Potatoes, Banana, Cucurbits
Indicator crop in case of Magnesium is Cotton (leaf reddening)
Indicator crop for Calcium is Cauliflower, tomato (blossom end rot of fruits), sugarbeet
For Sulphur the indicator crops are Lucerne , Clover , Cereals, Tea
The indicator crop in case of zinc is Maize, Paddy(Khaira disease), Tomatoes , Potatoes, Beans, Citrus
Indicator crop in case of Copper are Citrus, and Cereals
In case of Iron the indicator plants are Ornamental plants, Acacia, Eucalyptus, Gooseberry, Sugarcane, sorghum, citrus
The indicator plant for Boron is Lucerne, Coconut and Guava
Indicator crops for Manganese are Citrus, sunflower, sugarbeet
Indicator crops for Molybdenum are Cauliflower (whiptail), Cabbage
| Element | Indicator crop |
|---|---|
| Nitrogen | Maize , Sorghum ,Leguminous plants (Pulses) |
| Phosphorus | Tomato ,Maize, Lucerne, Cereals, Duranta |
| Potassium | Maize, Lucerne, Cotton, Potatoes, Banana, Cucurbits |
| Magnesium | Cotton (leaf reddening) |
| Calcium | Cauliflower, tomato (blossom end rot of fruits), sugarbeet |
| Sulphur | Lucerne, Clover , Cereals, Tea |
| Zinc | Maize, Paddy(Khaira disease), Tomatoes , Potatoes, Beans, Citrus |
| Copper | Citrus, Cereals |
| Iron | Ornamental plants, Acacia, Eucalyptus, Gooseberry, Sugarcane, sorghum, citrus |
| Boron | Lucerne, Coconut and Guava |
| Manganese | Citrus, sunflower and sugarbeet |
| Molybdenum | Cauliflower and cabbage |
Sunflower is an indicator crop for
Manganese
Leaf reddening in cotton is an indication of
magnesium deficiency
Whiptail of cauliflower is caused due to
Molybdenum deficiency
Blossom end rot of fruits is caused due to
calcium deficency
๐Nutrient availability and mobility inside plants Important questions
๐Nutrient essentiality idea here
๐Nutrient deficiency symptoms imp