Manganese Deficiency in Palms1

The newest leaves of manganese (Mn)-deficient palms emerge chlorotic with longitudinal necrotic streaks (Figures 1 and 2). As the deficiency progresses, newly emerging leaflets appear necrotic and withered on all but basal portions of the leaflets. This withering results in a curling of the leaflets about the rachis giving the leaf a frizzled appearance (“frizzletop”) (Figures 3 through 6). Within a single leaf, Mn deficiency symptoms are concentrated at the base of the leaf and are less severe or nonexistent towards the tip (Figure 7). On new leaves of Mn-deficient Cocos nucifera (coconut palm), necrotic leaflet tips fall off and the leaf has a singed appearance (Figure 8). In severely Mn-deficient palms, growth stops and newl