A Study on Iron-chlorosis of Citrus sinensis (L) osb.(Sweet Oranges) Grown in Bibile

Abstract

Iron chlorosis is a well known agricultural problem associated with citrus plants. Citrus sinensis (sweet oranges) grown in Bibile showed the symptoms of iron chlorosis. Analysis of leaf samples of orange trees from two orchards showed that chlorosis is caused by a simple deficiency of iron in leaves. This deficiency is caused as a result of very low levels of soluble iron in the soil. Application of three chelating agents namely 1,2 diaminocyclohexanetetraacetic acid (COT A), nitrilo acetic acid (NT A) and disodium salt of ethylenediamminetetraacetic acid (NazEOT A) to the soil under laboratory conditions resulted in an increased levels of soluble iron. COT A was found to be more effecti ve than the other two chelating agents in solubalization of insoluble forms of iron.