tobacco image

Tobacco Diagnostic Key

Integrated Pest Management

Molybdenum (Mo) deficiency has not been reported under field conditions. (Descriptions based on the book, Hunger Signs of Crops, 3rd Edition, edited by H.B. Sprague.) Under controlled greenhouse conditions, tobacco plants are slightly stunted when Mo is limited. The lower foliage of the plant develops a chlorosis, initially as a pale green, then the spots progress to a necrosis. The leaves may be crinkled and become bent or twisted.

Type
Nutrition
Leaf Location
Entire plant, Younger
Leaf Condition
Marginal necrosis, Interveinal necrosis
Leaf Color
Green - pale, Necrosis (brown)

Problem

Nutritional disorder – molybdenum (Mo) deficiency.

Symptoms

Molybdenum (Mo) deficiency has not been reported under field conditions. Molybdenum deficiencies were induced under controlled greenhouse studies. Symptoms did not develop.

(Descriptions based on the book, Hunger Signs of Crops, 3rd Edition, edited by H.B. Sprague.) Under controlled greenhouse conditions, tobacco plants are slightly stunted when molybdenum is limited. The lower foliage of the plant develops a chlorosis, initially as a pale green, then the spots progress to a necrosis. The leaves may be crinkled and become bent or twisted.

Tobacco production (no symptoms of Mo deficiency)

Tobacco production (no symptoms of Mo deficiency).

©2017 Forensic Floriculture/Matthew Vann

Similar Problems

None. Submit a tissue sample for analysis to help diagnose the problem.

Additional Information

Molybdenum is required is very low concentrations, so deficiencies under field conditions is unlikely.

Diagnostic Tips

The sufficiency range for molybdenum is between 0.2 and 1.0 ppm for burley tobacco. No range is provided for flue cured tobacco.

Corrective Measures

Provide molybdenum with your fertilization program.

Management

Provide molybdenum with your fertilization program.

Funding Source

Funding was provided in part by the North Carolina Tobacco Foundation.

Project Team

Josh Henry (NC State M.S. student in Horticultural Science), Paul Cockson (NC State B.S. student in Agroecology), Ingram McCall (Research Technician in Horticultural Science), Rhonda Conlon (Extension IT at NC State), Matthew Vann (Tobacco Extension Specialist, Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences), and Brian Whipker (Professor of Floriculture and Plant Nutrition in Horticultural Science).

Author:

Assistant Professor & Tobacco Extension Specialist
Crop and Soil Sciences
Graduate Student
Horticultural Science
Undergraduate Researcher
Horticultural Science
Professor: Commercial Floriculture Production
Horticultural Science
 This NC State FactSheet can be viewed and printed at https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/tobacco-molybdenum-deficiency.
NC State Extension