It was a great concern that our Vegetable green Leave at our backyard which we usually cut to prepare meals started turning yellow. I have waited for some days hoping to see it turn green again but it continued to nose-dive.Unfortunately some of the leaves started drying up and I became more worried about it.
Yesterday I was so lucky to meet a lady,then I told her my worries and she directed me to Dr.Virginia;a lecturer in Federal College of Agriculture, Umudike . I walked into her office,fortunately she was not busy,she gave me a seat, then I quickly asked" What makes green plant leaves turn yellow?".She smiled and said" Chlorophyll gives a leaf its greenish color.So When the leaf loses its chlorophyll, the plant abandons it and begins to absorb leftover nutrients from the leaf".
I nodded my head and asked again "What nutrients are plants lacking if the leaves turn yellow?"
She adjusted her seat and said that there is what they call nutritional deficiency. According to her she said it's a condition where a healthy plants begins to lack nutrients.
"If your plant lacks enough nitrogen, iron, or magnesium, it can cause the leaves to turn yellow"she says That's why once the leaf turns yellow, you generally can't make it turn back green again.According to her,
Lack of Nitrogen in the soil causes a more general yellowing or reddening colour. She went further to explain that When a plant also lack potassium,the yellowing is often more pronounced at the leaf edges. She also said that Iron is essential for the production of chlorophyll, that is the pigment responsible for the green color in leaves. When plants lack sufficient iron, they are unable to produce chlorophyll effectively, resulting in yellowing leaves.I modded and asked "How do i fix yellow leaves on plants?Can yellow leaves turn green again?Can This yellow Plant Be Saved?", she smiled and said calmly" once the leaf turns yellow, you generally can't make it turn back green again." Hearing this,I became devastated and perplexed,not knowing what to do,I bent my head downwards in dismay,she stood and walked directly to where I sat,patted my back and said"there is still hope, something can still be done."Hearing this soft words ,I became elated and encouraged. She said that most yellow leaves are caused by overwatering, According to her,she said that researches have shown that Water issues — either too much or too little — are the leading reason behind yellow leaves. In overly wet soil, roots can't breathe and plants do not absorb the necessary nutrients needed for growth Underwatering, or drought, has a similar effect. When plants can not take up essential nutrients,Yellow leaves result.Most of the time, if your plants' leaves turn yellow, it's a sign that you're either underwatering or overwatering it. She also said that water is essential for plants survival,they can't do without it and as such they need enough of it.
Therefore according to her to fix or prevent water issues, start with porous, well-draining soil. As you are growing plants on garden beds, the garden must be well drained and as well make good drainage holes for excess water to flow out easily. She also warned that should avoid planting where rainwater or irrigation accumulates. She advised that I can incorporate organic matter, such as compost, into my soil.
According to her,'if the soil feels soft and limp, its assumed to be overwatered which leads to Yellowing leaves. However, yellowing leaves can also be caused by underwatering. What you have to do first is to check the soil for moisture to decide which it may be to know whether it is underwatered or overwatered.
Therefore,Before you water, first check the soil texture using the "finger test."which means the act of Inserting your index finger a few inches into the soil. However,As a general rule, you can water your plant soil only when it seems so dry. Then water thoroughly and deeply. But when you know that the soil seems cool and moist, do not water but wait till when it feels dry. But don't forget to allow the soil to dry slightly before you irrigate again'.she said.
I then asked again if Fertilizer can help to treat yellowing plants?She smiled and said the farmer that wish to get the greenish colouring pigment and make your plant greener must treat plants with a food rich in nitrogen such as the application of an organic fertilizer or nitrate of soda. Just Use a fertilizer rich in nitrogen to treat the problem.Increase nutrient levels with regular spring feeding and always mulch the soil. When she had explained everything,I now know the reasons for the yellowing leaves.Truly the soil is not a loamy soil and underwatered.i am very sure when I apply regular irrigation and use fertilizers that are rich in nitrogen and other organic compost manure including animal dung, there will be a positive result.I immediately rushed straight to my garden.