Fe (iron)

Fe (iron)  is essential for photosynthesis

It is also essential for chlorophyll synthesis, although not a structural part of it.

Chlorosis of leaf base, interveinal chlorosisOverall chlorosisBleaching,
necrotic spots may  appear

 

  • Symptoms appear on younger leaves first.
  • If leaves are not bleached yet, iron application can reverse the visible symptoms

Conditions that give rise to iron deficiency

  • Alkaline or calcareous soils - Iron availability decreases at pH above 7
  • Excessive liming
  • Poor drainage
  • High concentrations of metallic ions in the soil or nutrient solution.
  • Manganese toxicity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Factors affecting iron availability

♦ Composition of the nutrient solution (synergy / antagonism)

♦ Chelating agent

♦ pH

♦ Temperature

 Phosphorus, Calcium, Zinc, Copper and Manganese interfere with iron uptake
 Potassium facilitates iron uptake

Stability of iron chelates

  • To ensure stability  in the nutrient solution, iron should be applied in a chelated form
  • Select a chelate that suits pH level of the solution and the soil

 

Stability of iron chelates

 

♦ To ensure stability  in the nutrient solution, iron should be applied in a chelated form

♦ Select a chelate that suits pH level of the solution and the soil

 

pH management

pH level in the drip line should be 5-6, depending on the crop. If necessary, use some acid or alkaline fertilizers to adjust the pH. 
Adjust the pH of the solution in the fertilizer tank to the stability range of the specific chelate.If the pH is above 6, add some ammonium-based fertilizer such as Haifa MAP to the nutritional program.

 

Temperature 
At low temperature iron uptake is
slowed down

​♦ Consider heating of the root zone using heating pipes

♦ Heat the nutrient solution if practical

♦ When iron uptake by roots is inefficient, iron fertilizers may be applied by foliar spray

 

 

Haifa’s Iron fertilizers

Iron chelates

Formulae contain iron

Use to prevent Fe precipitation with P

 

 

Avocado:  micro nutrients - Fe (iron)

 

 

Cherry: micro nutrients - Fe (iron)

Cotton: micro nutrients - Fe (iron)

 

 

 

  

Potato: micro nutrients - Fe (iron)

 

 

 

 

  

Apple: Micro nutrients - Fe (iron)

 

 

 

 

Banana: Micro nutrients - Fe (iron)

 

 

Bluberry : Micro nutrients - Fe (iron)

Broccoli: Micro nutrients - Fe (iron)

 

 

 

 

Cabbage: Micro nutrients - Fe (iron)

 

 

 

 

Citrus: Micro nutrients - Fe (iron)

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Corn: micro nutrients - Fe (iron)

 

 

 

 

Cucumber: Micro nutrients - Fe (iron)

 

 

 

 

Grapes-table: Micro nutrients - Fe (iron)

 

 

 

Lemon: Micro nutrients - Fe (iron)

 

Lychee: Micro nutrients - Fe (iron)

Pepper: Micro nutrients - Fe (iron)

 

 

 

Raspberry:  Micro nutrients - Fe (iron)


Development of iron deficiency chlorosis on raspberry leaves, left to right

 

Strawberry: Micro nutrients - Fe (iron)

 

 

Tomato: Micro nutrients - Fe (iron)

 

 

 

Vine: Micro nutrients - Fe (iron)

 

For more information visit our iron deficiency in plants and soils!