Nitrogen is the first and very important fertilizer element for plants and has the quickest and most pronounced effect on plant development. It forms a constituent of every living cell in the plants. It is an essential constituent of protein and chlorophyll and is involved in photosynthesis, respiration and protein synthesis.
Nitrogen tends primarily to encourage above ground vegetative growth and it imparts dark green colour to plants.
Nitrogen is a regulator that governs to a considerable degree the utilization of Potassium, Phosphorus and other constituents.
It promotes vegetative growth and improves the quality of produce including fodder, leafy vegetables and food crops.
It increases tillering in cereal crops.
The older leaves are affected first.
The plant becomes yellowish or light green in colour and remains stunted.
The leaves and young fruits tend to drop prematurely.
Nitrogen deficient plant ripens prematurely and gives poor yield.
The kernels of cereals and the seed of other crops do not attain their normal size, become shrivelled and light in weight.
The flower bud often turns pale and sheds prematurely.
Root growth is severely affected and tillering in cereal crops is greatly reduced.
Apply recommended dose of Nitrogen fertilizers as per crop requirement and soil fertility status.
Apply any of the Nitrogen containing fertilizers like Urea, Ammonium Sulphate, DAP when deficiency symptoms appear.
Spray Urea, Ammonium Sulphate, Calcium Nitrate or Potassium Nitrate @ 10 gm/ltr two to three times at intervals of 15 days to enable plants to recover from deficiency