Nitrogen deficiency — Maize

Symptoms

Characteristic symptom: Yellow V-shaped pattern on older leaves. Plants become stunted, with thin stems and reduced leaf growth. The entire plant initially appears pale green. Yellowing starts at the tip of the older, lower leaves and progresses towards the leaf base along the midrib. The yellow area forms an inverted V-shaped pattern, with the broader part extending towards the leaf base. As the deficiency worsens, affected tissue turns pale brown, dries and dies. Older leaves may become dry while middle leaves turn yellow or brown and younger leaves remain relatively green. Ears become small, with fewer kernels and poorly filled kernels, especially near the tip.