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By popular demand (Squiggle at least), this table lists symptoms of deficiencies by nutrient type in aquatic plants. Fertiliser Area of deficiency Symptom Nitrogen Old leaves Leaves turn yellowish; Older leaves die off quickly in extreme deficiencies. Fertiliser Area of deficiency Symptom Iron New leaves Leaves grow in pale or yellow; Greenish nerves enclosing yellow leaf tissue; First seen in fast growing plants. Fertiliser Area of deficiency Symptom Potassium Old leaves Most common deficiency; Pinholes appear in older leaves, and slowly enlarge; Yellow areas; Withering of leaf edges and tips. Fertiliser Area of deficiency Symptom Calcium New leaves Distorted leaf growth; cupped leaves; twisted and bent leaves; twisted and short roots; Damage and die off of growing points; Yellowish leaf edges; I have seen an extreme Calcium deficiency which resulted in a sword plant where new leaves were growing in almost completely white. Fertiliser Area of deficiency Symptom Magnesium Old leaves Yellow spots; Often appears similar to iron deficiency since mg deficiency prevents a plant from properly using iron; Yellowing of old leaves starting from edges while major veins remain green. Fertiliser Area of deficiency Symptom Boron New leaves Dead shoot tips, new side shoots also die; Brittle stems; Similar to calcium. Fertiliser Area of deficiency Symptom Sulphur New leaves Similar to nitrogen deficiency. Fertiliser Area of deficiency Symptom Manganese New leaves Dead yellowish tissue between leaf nerves. Fertiliser Area of deficiency Symptom Copper New leaves Dead leaf tips and withered edges. Fertiliser Area of deficiency Symptom Zinc Old leaves Yellowish areas between nerves starting at leaf tip and edges. Fertiliser Area of deficiency Symptom Molybdenum Old leaves Yellow spots between leaf nerves then brownish areas along edges; Inhibited flowering. Fertiliser Area of deficiency Symptom Phosphorus Old leaves Stunted growth; Sometimes leaves become darker green; Also symptoms can be similar to nitrogen deficiency.