Cotton

Fertilizer Burn

Fertilizer Burn

Other

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In a Nutshell

  • Browning of leaf edges or leaf scorch.
  • Wilting and marginal yellowing of leaves.
  • Stunted Growth.

Can also be found in

3 Crops
Canola
Cotton
Soybean

Cotton

Symptoms

Damage generally appears as browning of leaf edges or leaf scorch. Soluble salts from fertilizers can pull moisture out of the root tissues and cause wilting, marginal yellowing of leaves and stunting of the plants. Leaf burn or scorch can also result from direct foliar contact with some fertilizers.

Recommendations

Organic Control

There are no biological control options available for fertilizer burn.

Chemical Control

There are no chemical control options available for fertilizer burn.

What caused it?

Symptoms are caused by excessive fertilizer applications. Factors such as soil type, irrigation practices, salt levels, and the sensitivity of specific plants can influence the amount of damage. Damage to vegetable plants is more severe in hot dry weather. The salts contained in the fertilizer are more concentrated in the soil under drought conditions. This can lead to direct root injury, which will show up as leaf scorch in the aerial parts of the plant. Also, soluble salts may follow water movement through the plant and become concentrated in the leaves where moisture is lost rapidly on hot, dry days through transpiration or evaporation. In cool, cloudy weather, when there is adequate soil moisture, the rate of moisture loss from the leaves is slower, which allows many plants to tolerate high salt levels in the spring months, but not during the summer months.

Preventive Measures

  • Fertilizer burn problems can be prevented by selecting slow-release organic fertilizers.
  • The incorporation of a few centimeters of compost into the soil each year also helps.
  • Sweep granular fertilizers off foliage after spreading.
  • Use soluble foliar fertilizers according to label directions.
  • Do not to apply a granular fertilizer when the weather is extremely dry, and water thoroughly immediately after application to prevent plant burn.

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