Nitrogen Deficiency in Plants – How to Identify & Fix It Fast
Nitrogen (N) is one of the most vital nutrients during the vegetative stage of plant growth and early flowering. Without it, plants lack the building blocks they need to develop strong roots, lush foliage, and ultimately, abundant fruits and flowers.
In most hydroponic systems, especially when using premium base nutrients like Shogun Samurai, nitrogen levels are sufficient in the early stages. However, nitrogen deficiency is still a common issue—particularly when growing in soil or when underfeeding during early veg.
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How to Spot Nitrogen Deficiency in Plants
The early signs of nitrogen deficiency are easy to miss—until it's too late:
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Yellowing leaves, especially the lower canopy
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Slowed or stunted growth
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Leaves turn pale, then die and fall
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Weakened structure and reduced yields
As nitrogen becomes unavailable, the plant breaks down older leaves to redirect resources to new growth. This leads to a yellowed, unhealthy plant unable to reach its full potential.
Don’t confuse this with magnesium deficiency, which shows yellowing between the leaf veins, rather than across the entire leaf.
How to Treat Nitrogen Deficiency
Here are two proven ways to fix nitrogen deficiency quickly and effectively:
1. Adjust Base Nutrient Feeding
Start by increasing your Grow feed gradually:
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If your chart says 3ml per litre, increase in 1ml/litre steps
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Watch for leaf colour recovery—aim for deep, healthy green foliage
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Don’t overcorrect with huge jumps (e.g. 6–9ml/litre), as overfeeding can cause nutrient burn and require a flush
2. Use a Nitrogen Supplement
If nitrogen levels are severely low, add a dedicated nitrogen booster to your nutrient solution:
These can also be used as a foliar spray (but never both methods at the same time):
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Foliar feeding is up to 10x faster at delivering nitrogen through the leaf stomata
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Ideal if your plant is suffering from nutrient lockout due to low root zone temperatures or pH issues
Tip: Always correct the root cause (temperature, pH, etc.) alongside treatment to avoid recurring deficiencies.
Why Nitrogen Matters for Plant Growth
The vegetative stage sets the foundation for a successful flowering cycle. Strong stems, broad leaves, and robust roots all depend on sufficient nitrogen levels. Neglecting this phase in favour of rushing into bloom will limit your overall yield.
By mastering nitrogen management, you’re setting your crop up for maximum health, strength, and harvest quality.
Need more help? Browse our Hydroponic Nutrients Collection or speak to an expert in-store at Manchester or Huddersfield.