Fruitnut,
This document helps with diagnosis of some deficiencies http://www.entomology.oregonstate.edu/system/files/u1473/pnw0121e.pdf. I’ve seen zinc problems look like that but in this area those are rare in my experience. I’ve had a boron problem this year for the first time in 20 years. This spring blossom blast showed up for the first time followed by twisted leaves, a few fruit deformities, cracked fruits etc. . My trees had every symptom on the list http://www.tfrec.wsu.edu/pages/cpg/Boron. Hard to believe a trace mineral could cause so many problems. In my case the symptoms were text book and the treatment with 20 mule team or similar borox mixtures brought immediate results. This was the post on the boron deficiency Boron deficiency / Blossom Blast?. I should have known my pears would be using the soils boron because they are a good source of boron like calcium is to apples. This is what Dr Mercola said about them “The hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acid content in pears is linked with stomach and lung cancer prevention. Boron, another ingredient, is needed to not only bolster the calcium in our bodies, but also to help prevent osteoporosis. Flavonols such as quercetin, and carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin, together provide additional health benefits like lowered cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease risks.” at this link http://foodfacts.mercola.com/pears.html. I would look for a similar cause of the nutrient being depleted from your ground. Anyone who has seen how many pears I harvest each year would ask how I did not have a boron problem sooner so i’m not sure why I did not put two and two together until after I saw symptoms.
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