Deficiency Symptoms?
Photographs 1 and 2 appeared in two different articles in recent mainstream literature. Both photographs normally are considered classic demonstrations of symptoms of not enough available potassium (K) in the soil. However, the literature articles for these photographs were not about a lack of K in the soil environment.
The discussion for the corn photograph (Photo 1) was very similar to other potassium discussions where the soil test for the corn's soil was about 10% exchangeable K which means there is plenty of K for normal corn growth. The email contended that the reason for the coloring issue was related to root damage as a result of very dry weather in the early growing season.
As for the soybean photograph (Photo 2), the discoloration was blamed EARLY SPRING 2025 on herbicide damage to the crop's roots from the previous year's herbicide usage. Once again, the previous year's drought was considered the problem.
All farmers need to realize that plant growth changes that are different than normal growth are an opportunity for sales by the agricultural establishment. In both examples, there is no argument that the plants are not growing normally; however, is that growth related to a lack of a particular mineral element in the soil environment. It is very interesting that, in both cases, the reason for the poor plant color arises from root damage to the crop. Thus, with root damage, more added fertilizer does not necessarily mean that growth will improve for the crop. In fact, the article on the corn with poor coloring listed several soil problems that cause poor plant color, including "anything affecting or restricting root growth."
For years, Growers Mineral, Corp. has told farmers to use the spade to try and discover what is happening with the crop. "You learn more in 5 minutes looking at plant roots than you would looking at plant top growth for 24/7's."
"Dig roots, don't windshield farm."
This is an excerpt from the Early Spring Growers Solution (2025) written by Jim Halbeisen, Director of Research.
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