{"id":6032,"date":"2021-11-06T14:01:35","date_gmt":"2021-11-06T12:01:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phytothreptiki.com\/i-diacheirisi-tis-lipansis-sidiroy-sta\/"},"modified":"2023-09-01T13:46:48","modified_gmt":"2023-09-01T11:46:48","slug":"i-diacheirisi-tis-lipansis-sidiroy-sta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phytothreptiki.com\/en\/i-diacheirisi-tis-lipansis-sidiroy-sta\/","title":{"rendered":"Management of Iron fertilisation in plants"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Iron (Fe) <\/strong>is the most abundant chemical element on our planet. For plant organisms, it is considered a very important element for the process of chlorophyll formation, photosynthesis, activation of specific metabolic pathways and respiration. Iron deficiency is a global crop issue, with a serious impact on yield and quality of the products harvested and, thereby, on agricultural income. Iron deficiency is mainly linked to high soil pH. Drupes, citrus fruits, kiwis, vines, rice, soybeans, tomatoes, cucumbers and strawberries are some of the crops that are very susceptible to iron deficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Basic functions of Iron       <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iron (Fe) has many important functions regarding the development of plant organisms. Its role in photosynthesis is crucial. In particular, it binds to the active part of an enzyme, which catalyses the precursor molecule of chlorophyll biosynthesis; therefore, its deficiency causes chlorosis. Iron is, also, an essential component of a protein (ferredoxin), which is required for nitrate reduction, sulfate reduction, nitrogen assimilation and energy production (NADP+<\/sup>). At the same time, it plays an important role in both DNA synthesis and ethylene synthesis. The indirect functions attributed to iron include the meristematic growth of the root tip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Availability<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although most of the total iron in soil is trivalents (Fe3 +<\/sup>), divalent iron (Fe2+<\/sup>) is the main assimilable form for plants. This form is relatively soluble, but oxidizes fairly easily to Fe3+<\/sup>. Fe3+<\/sup>, however, is insoluble in a neutral and alkaline environment, making it unavailable to plants. In these soil types (limestone soils), the use of iron chelates (iron complexes with organic matter) is recommended. It is, therefore, understood that the solubility of iron depends, to a large extent, on the pH value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The interaction of iron with other nutrients is, also, quite an important factor that affects its availability. High levels of Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Phosphorus (P), Calcium (Ca), Boron (B) and Manganese (Mn) may interfere with the solubility and uptake of Iron (Fe) by plants. In contrast, Potassium (K) and Sulphur (S) appear to have a positive correlation with Iron. Nitrogen (N), by promoting germinal growth, also enhances the deficiency of iron (an element with low mobility).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional factors affecting the availability of Iron are the percentage of organic matter, temperature, soil moisture, amount of rainfall and porosity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Intake<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plant organisms, in their effort to combat iron deficiency, have developed various intake strategies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n