Magnesium deficiency?

[vktr]

Some of my top leaves look like this, with greenish patches all over the place. I asked ChatGPT and it said it's definitely a magnesium deficiency. Following its advice I sprayed them with a Epsom Salts solution two days ago. The question from a practical point of view is: can the leaves recover or it's a lost cause?

 

[deluxestogie]

The question from a practical point of view is: should you trust ChatGPT to diagnose a tobacco disease?

Usually, element deficiencies are the result of a soil pH that is outside the range that allows the tobacco roots to absorb them. That does not look like magnesium deficiency to me. In the absence of knowing the pattern of affected leaves on the entire plants, or the locations of the affected plants with respect to each other, I would guess that it represents a virus infection (e.g. Cucumber Mosaic virus; Tobacco Mosaic virus; Alfalfa Mosaic virus). For home growers, there is usually not much that needs to be done. The affected leaves may or may not be useable, once cured.

Keep in mind that this is just a guess on my part. Also keep in mind that adding MgSO₄ is a common practice that seems to cause no harm.

Bob

 

[vktr]

Thanks Bob. You're right, the AI often makes things up. If no harm I'll spray them again and see what happens (I suspect nothing). I'm sure these leaves will be fine and happily smoked thereafter. Cheers.