Nutritional deficiencies

Fourteen mineral elements are considered essential for higher plant growth; these elements include 6 macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S) and 8 trace elements (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cl, B, Mo, Ni). The physiological role of each element is described, as well as the deficiency symptoms and the methods to prevent or cure the nutritional disorders. Leaf blade and/or petiole chemical analysis is an important tool to assess the nutritional status of the plant and the methodology to perform the leaf sampling is described as well as the optimum concentrations of each element. The effect of the grape variety, rootstock and environmental conditions on mineral nutrition is described, as well as the amount of element uptake in the vineyard, which is crucial for fertilizer recommendation