Iron is an essential micronutrient required by plants for their healthy growth and development. However, iron deficiency is a widespread problem seen in many crops growing in alkaline and calcareous soils across the world. This is because iron becomes insoluble and unavailable for plant uptake under high pH and calcium carbonate conditions. Chelated iron fertilizers help overcome this iron deficiency by chelating or wrapping the iron in an organic molecule, keeping it soluble and available to plants. This article discusses the various aspects of using chelated iron as an agricultural micronutrient.

What is Chelated Iron?

Chelated iron refers to iron that is bound or complexed to an organic chelating agent molecule. Common chelating agents used are ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid (HEDTA), etc. These chelating agents wrap around the iron ion preventing it from becoming insoluble or tying up with other compounds in soil. This helps keep the iron in a soluble and plant-available form. Chelated iron provides a stable, soluble source of iron that maintains sufficient iron levels in plant tissues even at high soil pH levels.

Benefits of Using Chelated Iron Fertilizers

Some key benefits of using chelated iron fertilizers include:

- Improved Iron Uptake: Chelated iron is readily absorbed and utilized by plants as the chelating agents keep iron soluble and available for plant roots. This ensures iron deficiency is corrected quickly and efficiently.

- Works in Alkaline Soils: Chelated iron agricultural micronutrient remains stable and soluble in soils with pH ranging from 6 to 8 or even higher, where normal iron fertilizers precipitate out. This makes it very effective in calcareous or high pH problem soils.

- Low Application Rates: Due to its high solubility and availability, chelated iron works at very low rates as compared to other iron sources. As little as 1-2 kg/acre can effectively correct iron deficiency.

- No Phytotoxicity: Chelated iron is less phytotoxic compared to other soluble iron sources. It does not burn or damage plant tissues even at high application rates.

- Rapid Greening Effect: Deficient plants treated with chelated iron become green within 7-10 days as iron is rapidly absorbed and translocated to leaves.

Types of Chelated Iron Products

The two main types of chelated iron products available commercially are:

1. Chelate Liquid Fertilizers: These are water-soluble liquids containing 5-15% chelated iron along with nitrogen and sometimes other micros like zinc, manganese etc. They are highly concentrated and easy to apply through irrigation systems.

2. Chelate Granular Fertilizers: These granular fertilizers contain 1-5% chelated iron premixed with macronutrients like NPK. They are spread on soil surface and iron is slowly available to plants over an extended period.

Some popular chelated iron products brands are Sequestrene 138 Fe, Sprint 330, Miller Ferromec etc. The chelating agent used and iron percentage determines their application rates.

Chelated Iron Deficiency Symptoms

Plants deficient in iron exhibit characteristic yellowing or chlorosis symptoms between veins, while veins remain green. In severe cases, leaves may become completely yellow.

- The youngest, newly developing leaves are affected first.
- Symptoms are most noticeable in alkaline and calcareous soils.
- Cereal crops like wheat, rice, corn show interveinal chlorosis in new leaves.
- Citrus trees develop yellowing on new growth of leaves and fruits.
- Vegetables like tomato, pepper become yellowish green in color.

Proper Diagnosis and Application

It is essential to correctly diagnose the iron deficiency by soil and plant tissue tests before applying chelated iron fertilizers. Soil tests help determine pH, calcium carbonate levels and availability of existing iron in soil. Tissue tests indicate actual iron content in deficient plant parts.

Chelated iron is generally applied as a soil application or foliar spray. For soil, it is sprayed or sprinkler irrigated onto surface and watered in. It may need repeated applications during the growing season if deficiency is severe.

Foliar sprays are effective when quick greening is required, but soil application ensures continuous availability through roots. Always follow product label instructions for rates, methods and safety precautions.

Benefits to Agriculture

The use of chelated iron fertilizers helps overcome iron deficiency effectively and improves agricultural productivity worldwide. In turn, it boosts farm incomes and ensures food security. Some key agriculture sectors that benefit include:

- Field crops: Cereals, pulses and oilseeds grown on alkaline coastal soils in Asia, Africa produce higher yields.

- Plantations: Cocoa, coffee, tea, rubber trees in iron-deficient soils are more productive with chelated iron spraying.

- Fruits and vegetables: Crops like grapes, melons, tomatoes grown in greenhouses and calcareous soils have enhanced growth.

- Floriculture: Ornamental plants, flower crops like rose, carnation require iron and perform better.

- Home gardens: Trees, lawns, shrubs grown in iron-deficient lawns and landscapes stay healthy.
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