What Is the Frizzle Top on Palm Trees?

Cause

• Frizzle top results from a lack of manganese in the garden soil and the palm tissues. This nutrient -- abbreviated as Mn -- is most abundant or available for root absorption in soils that are acidic, with a pH below 6.5. While manganese is not needed in large amounts, unlike nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium, for plant growth and health, palms that do not have Mn ions in their cells or vascular systems experience disruptions in their metabolism.

Manganese Importance

• Manganese exists in soil in a positively charged ion form, designated as Mn++. Manganese becomes an important molecular component of various enzymes in the palm. These enzymes play key roles in metabolism, including the transfer of phosphates during stages of photosynthesis, production of chlorophyll and other basic growth processes. Without manganese, palm leaves reveal yellowing hues in-between veins or streaks of yellow on newly emerging leaves. When the Mn deficiency is severe or prolonged, new leaves are more profoundly yellow in color, frizzy in texture and look, often with a stunted or reduced size.

Contributing Factors

• Usually, the simplest explanation for Mn deficiency and the occurrence of frizzle top in palms is from too high of soil pH. Neutral and alkaline soils contain lots of negatively charged ions, which bind the positively charged Mn++ ions. Once bound, roots cannot absorb them. Moreover, soils rich in iron can prevent efficient uptake of manganese and lead to a manganese deficiency. Soils rich in manganese also prevent absorption of iron. Manganese deficiencies are most common in sandy soils that are frequently leached by water, mucky soils, soils rich in lime or soils that have been extensively cultivated for years and heavily fertilized with nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, according to Gerald Kidder and Sydney Park Brown, horticulturists with the University of Florida.

Prevention/Solution

• Conduct a soil test to learn of the pH and the natural availability of nutrients in your garden soil. Test kits and analysis are available through your county's cooperative extension office. Proper and consistent fertilizer application prevents frizzle top in palms. Manganese is not needed in huge amounts, and it must not be over-applied, as it can cause serious iron deficiencies that lead to other metabolic problems. Prevention is key. Once a manganese deficiency manifests in the palm, it takes months to correct it. If the frizzle top is too severe, fertilizing will not supply the needed ions before the palm weakens from diminishes photosynthesis.

Effected Plants

• While frizzle top may occur in any palm species, certain plants show or experience manganese deficiencies more quickly or profoundly than others. The queen palm (Syagrus romanzoffianum), royal palm (Roystonea regia) and coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) are a few palms known to be susceptible. Sago palm (Cycas revoluta) is actually a cycad, but also may experience frizzle top. Contact the cooperative extension office for information on commonly planted palms that exhibit frizzle top in your region's soil conditions.