Nitrogen Deficiency in Palms1

Nitrogen deficiency begins as a uniform light green discoloration of the oldest leaves (Figure 1). As the deficiency progresses, younger leaves will also become discolored. When the entire crown except for the spear leaf is affected, leaves will become progressively lighter in color and may be nearly white (Figure 2). Growth virtually stops when N deficiency is severe, but the palms may linger in this state for a considerable length of time. In older palms in the landscape or field, canopy size becomes greatly reduced, very light green in color, and the trunk will taper (pencil-pointing). Figure 1. Nitrogen deficieny on Ptychosperma elegans (solitaire palm) showing uniformly discolored older leaves