June 2004. An extension officer recently came upon this problem at a farm in Barbados. The plants are showing a partial or complete reddish discoloration, there are no lesions and the plants are not necrotic. The farmer has grown parsley before, but rotates the crop with other condiments (thyme, marjoram, tomatoes ,etc.) and has never seen this problem In Barbados. It is now the rainy season; however, we have been having heavy unseasonal rains since February/March.

There is a possibility that the condition is caused by phosphate deficiency. Try cultivating in some superphosphate before next planting. Super is best applied in the soil preplant as it will not move well from a surface dressing, and can become locked onto soil particles especially on red (lateritic) soils.