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Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Iron

Iron is needed for chlorophyll formation, plant respiration and the formation of some proteins.

Identification

  • Symptoms are very similar to manganese deficiency,
  • Deficiency occurs more frequently when pH is high and can be caused by high levels of lime (lime-induced chlorosis),
  • Symptoms appear on the young leaves first,
  • Leaves turn yellow between the veins, but the veins will remain green except in extreme cases,
  • Often symptoms are seen in only one area of the plant,
  • Shoots may die back if iron deficiency is not corrected.

Often Confused With
Chemical:

  • herbicides such as triazines (simazine, atrazine); ureas (diuron, linuron), uracil (terbacil, bromacil); dichlobenil, paraquat, fluazifop-butyl, oxadiazon,
  • high -very levels of phosphorus may reduce iron uptake,
  • excessive soil liming.

Disease:

  • virus diseases

Insects:

  • aphids,
  • leafhoppers,
  • mites,
  • plant bugs.

Mechanical:

  • damaged stem or trunk.

Soil & planting conditions:

  • calcareous soils, mineral soil pH > 6.5,
  • excessive levels of phosphorus, copper, zinc or manganese may induce deficiency,
  • over fertilization or salt damage,
  • cool, wet or compacted soils resulting in reduced root growth and poor uptake,
  • waterlogging,
  • poor soil aeration.

Weather:

  • excessive soil moisture and cold, wet spring,
  • hot, dry summer.

Scouting Notes
Factors associated with iron deficiency include soils with high lime content (and therefore high pH), and gross imbalances with other micronutrients like molybdenum, copper or manganese.

Iron deficiency
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