Concepts associated with mineral deficiency
Mineral deficiencies or toxicities are widespread. A
report from the Centro Internacional de Agricultura
Tropical (CIAT) in Peru estimates that about 60% of
the soils in the common bean production regions of
the world have some soil mineral problem. Soils that
are high in calcareous minerals tend to have high
amounts of basic elements (e.g., Ca, Mg, K) that tend to
raise soil pH. A high soil pH in turn causes mineral
deficiency problems (e.g., Fe, Zn, P). Common mineral
deficiency symptoms are summarized in Table 21.4.
Zinc deficiency in common bean has been reported in
production areas such as southern Idaho and Michigan.