Plants with iron deficiency

Plants with iron deficiency

Iron deficiency - an invisible enemy that often makes its secret moves in gardens and fields. Many plants suffer without us immediately recognizing it. But what exactly causes this deficiency? In the first section we examine the background and consequences of iron deficiency in plants. Symptomatic signs are often subtle and difficult to detect for the untrained eye. But don't worry! We'll show you how to recognize these symptoms. And anyone who thinks the problem is unsolvable will be surprised in our third section: There are effective strategies to improve the iron absorption of your green favorites. Immerse yourself in the world of plant care with us and let yourself be inspired - so that your plants will soon shine in their full glory again!

Causes and consequences of iron deficiency in plants

Iron deficiency is a common problem in plant breeding and can have serious effects on the growth and health of plants. The deficiency often arises from several factors, including:

• Schlechte Bodenernährung
• Übermäßige Bewässerung
• Hohe pH-Werte im Boden
• Erhöhter Gehalt an organischen Stoffen
• Interferenzen durch andere Nährstoffe

Plants need iron for chlorophyll production and photosynthesis. Iron deficiency leads to chlorosis, especially in the younger leaves. This manifests itself as a yellowish discoloration while the leaf veins remain green, making this defect easily recognizable.

The consequences of an untreated iron deficiency are serious. In addition to reduced photosynthesis capacity, plants can become weaker and more susceptible to disease. In extreme cases, the plant may stop growing and even die. One example is the cultivation of citrus trees, where iron deficiency can lead to significant crop losses.

The effects are not just limited to individual plants. On farms, general iron deficiency can affect soil fertility and thus affect yields over multiple crop cycles. Farmers must therefore take appropriate measures to detect and correct iron deficiency.

A deeper analysis of soil composition can be crucial to identifying potential iron deficiencies early. Laboratory tests allow the iron status in the soil to be precisely determined, which is of great importance for planning fertilization and the use of iron preparations.

Symptoms of poor iron supply and how to recognize them

Iron is an essential trace element for plant growth. A deficiency of iron leads to various symptoms that are easy to recognize. The most common abnormalities are:

• Chlorose: Blätter zeigen eine Vergilbung, vor allem zwischen den Blattadern, während die Adern grün bleiben.
• Wachstumsverzögerung: Pflanzen wachsen langsamer als normal, insbesondere junge Triebe und Blätter.
• Verkrümmung: Die Blattform kann sich ändern, was zu verformten und kleineren Blättern führt.
• Weißfärbung: In schweren Fällen können Blätter ganz verblassen, was ein Zeichen für fortschreitende Mangelernährung ist.
• Absterben der Blätter: In extremen Situationen kann es zum Absterben von Blattgewebe kommen.

Diagnosis of iron deficiency is often done by visual inspection. Chlorosis, the most prominent sign, is often the first clue. To assess the severity of the deficiency, soil analysis can be used to determine iron content. These analyzes are crucial to determine the specific needs of the plants.

Another diagnostic tool is leaf analysis. This method provides direct information about the plant's nutrient composition and helps pinpoint deficiencies more precisely. Samples are usually taken in the early growth stage in order to be able to react to deficiency symptoms as quickly as possible.

Impaired plant growth due to iron deficiency can also make them more susceptible to diseases and pests. The identified imbalance in the nutrient balance weakens the cell structure. This makes the plant less resilient to environmental stressors, endangering its health and the harvest. Timely detection and diagnosis of iron supply is crucial for crop management and yield optimization.

Strategies to improve iron absorption in plant care

Iron absorption by plants plays a crucial role in their growth and health. To ensure that plants receive enough iron, several strategies must be implemented:

• Bodenanalyse: Eine detaillierte Analyse des Bodens hilft, den aktuellen Eisengehalt zu bestimmen und die pH-Werte zu prüfen, die die Verfügbarkeit von Eisen beeinflussen können.
• Optimierung des pH-Werts: Eisen ist bei einem pH-Wert unter 7,0 besser verfügbar. Die Senkung des pH-Werts kann durch Zugabe von organischen Materialien, wie Kompost oder Torf, erreicht werden.
• Eisenchelate: Die Anwendung von Eisenchelaten ist eine gängige Methode, um die Verfügbarkeit von Eisen zu erhöhen. Diese Verbindungen helfen, Eisen im Boden zu lösen, wodurch Pflanzen es effizient aufnehmen können.
• Fruchtfolge und Mischkulturen: Der Anbau von Pflanzen, die Eisen effizienter aufnehmen, kann die Bodenqualität verbessern. Mischkulturen fördern die Biodiversität und können die Nährstoffaufnahme optimieren.
• Bewässerungsmanagement: Eine regelmäßige und angemessene Bewässerung ist entscheidend. Über- oder Unterbewässerung kann die Eisenaufnahme negativ beeinflussen.

Another important point is the selection of plant species. Some plants are genetically better suited to absorb iron.

Another way to improve iron absorption is to use micronutrients as fertilizers. These fertilizers often contain additional trace elements that support plant growth and can counteract deficiencies.

In addition, attention should be paid to the correct planting time. Spring and autumn are favorable for many plants because the temperatures and soil moisture are optimal.

Active measures to promote microbes in the soil can also increase iron availability. A diverse soil microbiota helps provide and transport nutrients more efficiently.

In summary, iron deficiency in plants is a widespread problem that can be caused by various environmental factors as well as specific characteristics of the plants. Symptoms are often subtle, but their timely recognition is critical to plant health. The strategies for improving iron absorption discussed in the article provide effective approaches to preventing and treating iron deficiency. Holistic plant care based on scientific knowledge can not only promote the vitality of plants, but also increase their resistance to stress factors.

Sources and further literature

References

• Schmidt, H. (2019). Eisenmangel in Pflanzen. Agrarwissenschaftliche Hefte, 45(2), 123-135.
• Müller, R. & Schneider, U. (2020). Pflanzenphysiologie und Nährstoffaufnahme. Springer Verlag.

Studies

• Huber, D. M., & Graham, R. D. (2007). Importance of Iron in Plant Nutrition. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 30(3-6), 919-931.
• Tamás, L. (2017). Iron Deficiency in Plants and Its Management. Acta Biologica Szegediensis, 61(1), 157-165.

Further reading

• Wagner, H. (2018). Pflanzenkrankheiten und ihre Bekämpfung: Eisenmangel. UPL Verlag.
• Fischer, H. (2021). Die Rolle von Nährstoffen in der Landwirtschaft. Deutscher Landwirtschaftsverlag.