Tobacco Research Update: Manganese Deficiency of Tobacco

Manganese (Mn) deficiency begins as an interveinal chlorosis on the upper leaves (Fig. 1).  As the symptoms progress, the interveinal chlorosis takes on a pale netted appearance (Fig. 2).  This symptom will work its way down the plant until it covers the majority of the foliage. Symptomatic plants will start to become stunted when compared to healthy plants (Fig.3). At this point, symptoms begin to diverge between burley and flue cured tobacco.

With intermediate symptoms, burley tobacco will start to develop small white spots (Fig. 4), but will retain the prominent netted chlorosis observed earlier. As symptoms progress, the majority of the foliage will also become very pale, with only the youngest leaves remaining green (Fig. 5). Flue cured tobacco will also begin to develop white spots, however these spots will quickly grow larger and become much more noticeable than the netted pattern (Fig. 6). These large necrotic spots will cover the majority of foliage, and occur primarily surrounding the midrib of the leaf (Fig. 7). The spots have a paper-thin texture and will tear very easily, quickly giving symptomatic leaves a ragged appearance.

When the white spots initially develop, the symptoms strongly resemble Weather Fleck, which is caused by exposure of plants to high ozone concentrations. These two issues are nearly indistinguishable; therefore, producers should collect tissue and soil samples to assist with correct identification. The netted appearance may also be confused with iron deficiency, although iron deficiency is uncommon in tobacco.

An overall view of advanced Mn deficiency symptoms may be seen in the 360-degree image below (Fig. 8).

We would like to express our appreciation to the North Carolina Tobacco Foundation for supporting this project. We will be providing updates as symptoms progress over the course of the nutrient disorder induction phase of the experiment. Please visit our tobacco diagnostic key at https://diagnosis.ces.ncsu.edu/tobacco/ to view images and descriptions of each nutrient disorder along with corrective measures and management options.

Key Contact: Dr. Matthew Vann, Department of Crop and Soil Science

mcvann@ncsu.edu

Contributing Authors: Josh Henry, Paul Cockson, Matthew Vann, and Brian Whipker

Funding Source: 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 Science), and Brian Whipker (Professor of Floriculture and Plant Nutrition in Horticultural Science).