Symptoms of Nutrient Deficiencies in Citrus and Their Control: Iron Deficiency
Release Date:
2019-02-15
Iron‑deficiency symptoms: 1. Primarily affects young shoots. When iron is deficient, the leaves on new growth turn yellow, while the veins remain green and clearly visible, forming a reticulate pattern. 2. As deficiency worsens, the leaves become yellowish‑white except for the main veins, with margins sometimes turning scorched and drying out, leading to premature leaf drop. Autumn shoots are more severely affected than spring shoots, and yellowing is more pronounced on the outer canopy than in the interior. Correction methods: 1. Increase application of organic fertilizers—such as green manure, pig or cattle pen manure, and composted residues—which are the most effective remedies. For mature citrus trees showing iron‑induced chlorosis, applying 50–100 kg of organic fertilizer per tree annually can help restore normal growth and fruiting. 2. Foliar sprays of 0.2% ferrous citrate or ferrous sulfate can…
Iron deficiency characteristics
1. It primarily occurs on young shoots. When iron is deficient, the leaves of the young shoots turn yellow, but the leaf veins remain green and clearly visible, forming a reticulate pattern.
2. As iron deficiency worsens, the leaves turn yellow and white throughout, except for the main veins, which remain green; in severe cases, the leaf margins may scorch and wither, leading to premature leaf drop. Symptoms are more pronounced on autumn shoots than on spring shoots, and yellowing is more severe on the outer canopy than in the interior.
Correction method
1. Applying organic fertilizers—such as green manure, pig and cattle pen manure, and composted sludge—is the most effective remedial measure. For mature citrus trees suffering from iron-deficiency chlorosis, applying 50–100 kilograms of organic fertilizer per tree annually can help them regain normal growth and fruiting.
2. Foliar application of 0.2% ferrous citrate or ferrous sulfate can achieve localized corrective effects.
3. Applying acidic fertilizers to the soil, such as ammonium sulfate combined with sulfur powder and organic matter, can both improve soil quality and enhance the availability of iron in the soil.
4. Apply an EDDHA‑chelated iron formulation (a specialized iron fertilizer) once in mid-to-late April and again in late July. Application rates: for one‑, two‑, and three‑year‑old trees, apply 1–2 g, 2–3 g, and 3–5 g of Ye Lü Ling per application, respectively; as tree age increases, the application rate should be adjusted upward. For mature, fruiting trees, apply 15–30 g per application.
5. Control the application rates of phosphate, zinc, copper, and manganese fertilizers, as well as calcareous fertilizers, to prevent excessive levels of these nutrients from antagonizing iron uptake.
6. Prevent waterlogging in citrus orchards; for orchards with excessively high groundwater levels, ensure proper ditching and drainage to avoid soil saturation and oxygen deficiency.
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