Phosphorus (P) deficiency - Next to calcium, phosphorus is one of the most important minerals you need to take to make sure that your bones are as healthy as they can be. Unfortunately, while you have probably heard about the importance of calcium, there's a good chance you're not quite as familiar with phosphorus. Outside of protecting your bones, there are a variety of things that phosphorus can do to help your body stay healthy. 4 common signs that can tell you that you might not get enough phosphorus are weak bones or teeth, joint pain and stiffness, less energy and lack of appetite.[1]
Phosphorus deficiency could also be a plant disorder that is most common in areas of high rainfall, especially on acid, clay or poor chalk soils. Cold weather can cause a temporary deficiency.
All plants may be, although this is an uncommon disorder. Particularly susceptible are carrots, lettuce, spinach, apples, currants and gooseberries. Symptoms include poor growth, and leaves that turn blue/green but not yellow—oldest leaves are affected first. Fruits are small and acid tasting. Phosphorus deficiency may be confused with nitrogen deficiency. Undersides of tomato plant leaves, and the veins and stems, may turn purple. stiff, stunted plants with purlish tinge.
It can be controlled by applying organic sources of phosphorus such as rock phosphate or a high-phosphorus fish fertilizer applied as a soil drench or foliar feed.
Plants that are naturally adapted to low levels of available soil phosphorus, however, are more likely to suffer from phosphate poisoning: the key is to provide the right level for any particular plant type, neither too high nor too low.
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