NUTRIENT_DEFICIENCY Severity: Medium

Magnesium Deficiency: How to Identify & Treat Fast

Magnesium deficiency is a nutrient disorder characterized by interveinal chlorosis, where leaf tissue between veins turns yellow while the veins remain green. This deficiency affects older leaves first as magnesium is a mobile nutrient that plants relocate to support new growth. Magnesium is essential for chlorophyll production and photosynthesis, making this deficiency critical for plant health.

Spread speed

Slow

Recovery time

21 days

🔍 Symptoms

Main Symptoms

! Interveinal chlorosis with yellowing between leaf veins while veins stay green
! Symptoms appear first on older, lower leaves
! Brown or rusty-brown spots as deficiency worsens
! Reddish-purple discoloration on leaf edges and tips
! Necrotic spots in severe cases
! Stunted growth and reduced plant vigor
! Poor fruit development and reduced yield

Visual Signs

Interveinal chlorosis (yellowing between leaf veins while veins remain green)Yellowing appears first on older, lower leavesBrown or rusty-brown spots developing as deficiency progressesReddish-purple tint on leaf edges and tips in severe casesNecrotic spots in advanced stagesStunted growth and reduced plant sizePoor crop yield and compromised fruit quality

Affected parts: LEAVES

❓ Possible Causes

→ Sandy soils with low cation exchange capacity
→ Excessive rainfall or irrigation washing out magnesium ions
→ Acidic soils with pH below 6.0
→ High levels of competing cations (potassium, calcium, ammonium)
→ Over-application of potassium fertilizers
→ Cold soil temperatures reducing nutrient uptake
→ Poor root development limiting nutrient absorption

💊 Treatment

⚡

Quick Fixes

~11 days

Step 1

Mix 1 tablespoon Epsom salt per gallon of water for emergency foliar application

Step 2

Spray affected leaves immediately in early morning or late evening

Step 3

Focus on yellowing areas between leaf veins

Step 4

Reapply every 7 days until symptoms reduce

Step 5

Follow with liquid magnesium fertilizer (amino acid chelated) at manufacturer recommended rates

Materials needed:

Foliar fertilizer with magnesiumSoluble magnesium sulfateNPK + Mg fertilizerSpray bottle

🌿

Organic Treatment

~21 days

Step 1

Dissolve 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) per gallon of water

Step 2

Apply as foliar spray in early morning or late afternoon

Step 3

Spray leaves thoroughly, ensuring coverage of both upper and lower surfaces

Step 4

Repeat application every 15 days for 4 total applications

Step 5

Add aged compost or well-rotted manure to soil to provide long-term magnesium

Materials needed:

Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate)Rich organic compostDolomite limestoneCrushed eggshellsWood ash

🔬

Expert Treatment

~32 days

Step 1

Test soil pH and magnesium levels to confirm deficiency

Step 2

For immediate relief: apply foliar spray of 2.14 mM magnesium solution every 15 days

Step 3

Apply soil drench: 0.5g magnesium sulfate per liter for containers, 10g/L for garden beds

Step 4

Monitor calcium to magnesium ratio (ideal 3:1 to 5:1) to prevent nutrient lockout

Step 5

Adjust soil pH to 6.0-7.0 if needed to optimize magnesium uptake

Step 6

Incorporate dolomitic limestone (contains calcium and magnesium) at 5-10 lbs per 100 sq ft

Step 7

Implement regular monitoring with leaf tissue analysis

Step 8

Establish preventive foliar feeding program: quarterly applications

Step by Step

1
Immediate: Apply Epsom salts foliar spray (1 tablespoon per gallon) to affected leaves
2
Week 1-2: Water soil with diluted Epsom salts solution once per week
3
Week 2-3: Apply dolomitic limestone if soil pH is below 6.0
4
Week 3-4: Add compost or organic matter around plant base
5
Ongoing: Monitor new growth for improvement in leaf color
6
Long-term: Maintain regular feeding schedule with balanced fertilizer containing magnesium