Iron chlorosis of plants: all ways to combat iron deficiency. Areas of application of iron chelate as fertilizer

The lack of microelements in depleted soils has a detrimental effect on plant development. Particularly affected by shortages nutrients crops growing on alkaline soil in arid climates. For better absorption of microelements, chelation is used. What is iron chelate, and how is it useful for seedlings? Let's consider the issue in detail.

Chelates and their importance in gardening

Cultivated plants require microelements for proper development, which form the basis of their growth. Microelements participate in biochemical processes, regulate metabolism, and activate enzymes. Microelements increase plant immunity and resistance to adverse external factors.

For example, iron deficiency in the soil affects the quality of seedling development: the leaves turn yellow, the shoots dry out, the inflorescences do not gain strength, and the fruits do not set well. Plants need iron and other minerals throughout the growing season so that the leaf apparatus actively produces chlorophyll.

Minerals are found in the soil, but their amount decreases over time. Experienced gardeners regularly add micro- and macroelements, organic fertilizers and agrochemicals to replenish missing substances.

Chelates are fertilizers in which inorganic substances are enclosed in a nutritious organic shell. Thanks to this, seedlings can easily absorb the necessary microelements. Chelates act as conductors that deliver microelements to crop plants.

Important! Iron chelate ensures the synthesis of chlorophyll.

Inorganic elements do not always manage to penetrate the leaf surface, but the organic coating provides them with access to plant tissues. The chelate shell reliably protects the microelements it contains, while at the same time allowing them to be easily absorbed by plants.

However, not every trace element is capable of forming chelates. Therefore, chelated fertilizers can be created based on:

• gland;
• calcium;
• manganese;
• molybdenum;
• copper;
• magnesium;
• cobalt;
• zinc;
• boron

Note! Potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen do not chelate.

Chelated fertilizers are absorbed by plants by almost 90%, unlike conventional agrochemicals, because they do not interact with the soil. Chelating agents keep metal ions in a soluble form that is easily absorbed by plants. They combine well with pesticides, insecticides and other mineral fertilizers. However, farmers recommend first checking drugs for compatibility.

Note! In nature, vitamin B12 and chlorophyll act as chelates.

Chelated fertilizers are used for seed treatment, and for spraying seedlings. However, before purchasing the drug, it is necessary to clarify what type of chelates it contains and what type of soil it is used for: the pH value is important.

Iron chelate

Iron chelate is produced either in tablet form with stabilizers, or in the form of a ready-made dark solution. The working solution must be used on the day of preparation.

Chelated preparations can be complex or single. For example, Fe-DTPA or Fe-EDTA. Iron chelate for plants contains water-soluble divalent iron ions Fe(II), which can be used to:

• rid the plant of yellowing leaves;
• prevent chlorosis (yellowing of leaves);
• strengthen plant resistance to unfavorable conditions;
• enhance photosynthesis.

Chelated microfertilizers are especially necessary for radishes and strawberries, which draw many microelements from the soil. Farmers use iron chelate together with boron. Soil nourished with boron and iron allows you to harvest a rich harvest of strawberries from the same area for 7-8 years.

Iron oxide (rust) is found in excess in the soil, but this compound is not beneficial for plants. For the formation of chlorophyll, the divalent compound Fe(II) is necessary, which is more actively absorbed by plant tissues. The chelate shell quickly breaks down into its components - water and carbon. These are safe compounds that do not pollute the soil.

Sandstones are the poorest in iron; vegetation on such soils always develops chlorosis. Clay soils and chernozem suffer less from a lack of iron compounds, so fertilizer is used less frequently - once every 3 or 5 years.

Iron Chelate Benefits:

• dissolves well in water;
• non-toxic to plants;
• quickly absorbed by plant tissues;
• combines well with other fertilizers and pesticides;
• used for foliar and root feeding.

Note! Rusty water cannot serve as a source of iron, since it is in a form that is difficult for plants to reach.

Effect of fertilizer on plants:

• strengthens resistance to adverse events weather conditions;
• increases resistance to diseases;
• activates the growth and development of seedlings;
• corrects metabolic processes;
• promotes the production of chlorophyll.

Fruit trees are especially affected by iron deficiency. Apple, pear and plum trees do not set fruit well and produce a meager, tasteless harvest. Vegetable crops often get sick, seedlings do not take root well in the soil and bear little fruit.

However, an excess of iron in the soil is just as dangerous as a deficiency. Signs of excess microelement are:

• plant growth stops;
• the color of the leaves becomes saturated;
• the leaf cover crumbles;
• Dark spots appear on the surface of the leaves.

It is important not to overdo it with feeding seedlings with microelements. Carefully follow the dosage of medications indicated in the instructions.

Application standards

Vegetables - take 5 g per bucket of water, per 10 square meters a liter of working solution is consumed. The liquid is applied when the first four leaves appear on the seedlings. Then spraying is carried out after 2 weeks. Treatment is carried out before the formation of buds.

Fruit plants are fed with the same working solution in a volume of 2 liters per square meter. Water the fruit trees around the trunk when the first leaves appear. Then fertilizing is carried out during budding.

Note! The dosage of the drug may vary, depending on the presence of additional substances in the solution.

Mode of application:

• treatment of plants is carried out in the morning/evening in warm weather;
• the solution is used in sprayers, creating a cloud of spray;
• do not allow drops of the solution to roll off the leaves;
• Root feeding is carried out on pre-moistened soil.

Spraying is usually used to prevent iron deficiency in plants. To do this, use either regular sprayers or special sprayers. Healthy plants can be treated twice a season, patients require more frequent spraying - 4 times.

Primary treatment is carried out immediately after the first leaves unfold, secondary treatment - after 2-3 weeks. For vegetable and berry crops A 4% solution is suitable, for fruit trees - 8%. For vineyards and ornamental plants, use a 4% solution.

For root feeding, use an 8% solution. Plants are watered with a solution at the root on pre-irrigated soil. For one fruit tree they use 1-2 buckets, for a berry bush - a couple of liters, for feeding vegetable crops- 4 liters per 10 m2.

Can an overdose of iron chelate burn plant roots? A chemical burn is possible only if large doses of the drug are used.

However, the available chelated form of iron may become useless if there is a lot of chalk in the soil or the working solution for a long time was in an open state.

Making your own fertilizer

To prepare a working solution of iron chelate yourself, use simple iron sulfate. Such a solution is no different from a purchased substrate, with the exception of the content of ballast substances. Therefore, it should be used strictly within normal limits. The disadvantage of a self-made solution is the limitation in use: it is only suitable for for preventive purposes.

Cooking method No. 1

• 8 grams of vitriol dissolved in two liters warm water;
• 5 grams citric acid dissolve in the same volume of liquid, but in a different container;
• then you need to pour the vitriol solution into the citric acid solution in a thin stream with continuous stirring;
• at the end it should be poured into ready mixture one liter of water, stirring continuously.

The result is 5 liters of working solution for treating plants. The prepared liquid cannot be stored; it must be used up immediately. Make sure that the solution is clean, without any sediment. The color of the liquid should be orange.

Cooking method No. 2

To do this, instead of citric acid, you should take pharmacy ascorbic acid. However, when purchasing, make sure that the powder does not contain added glucose.

• prepare a solution of iron sulfate - take 2 tsp of substrate per liter of water;
• add 20 grams of ascorbic acid to the prepared solution;
• pour 3 liters into the container with the solution clean water, previously boiled and cooled.

You will end up with a chelated iron solution ready to spray. Be aware that the solution will quickly form a precipitate: use it immediately.

Characteristics of drugs

Ferovit is a universal photosynthesis stimulator. This fertilizer contains urea, nitrogen and chelated iron. The drug is intended to treat all garden crops and ornamental plants all year round. Indoor flowers often suffer from hard water, which alkalizes the soil and creates obstacles to the free absorption of iron from the soil.

The use of Ferovit eliminates iron deficiency in the soil, promotes the rapid absorption of ions by plants, and nourishes seedlings. After using the drug, the seedlings sprout vigorously, and the ovary is actively forming on the fruit trees. Ferovit also protects plants from rot, powdery mildew and brown rust.

Note! The chelated form of fertilizers is most suitable for summer feeding of plants: the substrate does not burn the roots and leaves.

For preventive treatment, spraying is carried out. The solution is prepared from a liter of water and 1.5 ml of the drug. Fruit trees, berry bushes, vegetable and ornamental crops sprayed at least three times per season (break between treatments - 2 weeks). In case of pronounced iron deficiency, plants are treated every week until the green color is restored.

Processing indoor flowers and seedlings are carried out weekly - 1.5 mg of the drug is taken per 2 liters of water. Ground vegetables are processed every two weeks for preventive purposes. Strawberry beds are sprayed with a solution - 1.5 mg per liter, treatment area - 5 m2. Treatment of bushes is carried out once when the leaves grow.

The composition of the drug Microvit K-1 contains sulfur, nitrogen and iron. This is very effective remedy to combat plant chlorosis. Microvit is used for foliar/root treatment of seedlings during the growing season. Any required volume of working fluid can be prepared from a concentrated solution. Citric acid is used as a chelating agent, which protects iron ions from oxidation.

The drug Fertika is water-soluble granules and an aqueous solution. The granules are first dissolved in water and then the seedlings are watered. You can also scatter the granules around the area and dig them up. To fertilize seedlings before transplanting into the ground, granules mixed with soil are poured into each hole. When using granules, sufficient irrigation of the soil is necessary, since they release active substances only when moistened.\

Alternative

FeSO4 sulfate can be used instead of iron chelate. This substrate is much cheaper than the chelate, but it is of little benefit to plants. When ions decay, most of the beneficial substances disappear. In addition, the use of iron sulfate can lead to an overdose of sulfur and chemical burns to plants.

Ferrous sulfate is ineffective on depleted soil and under unfavorable climatic conditions. It is also not effective to use this fertilizer on small plots (up to 12 acres and in greenhouses).

Iron chelate is widely used due to its easily digestible form. These versatile and environmentally friendly fertilizers bring enormous benefits to plants. Inorganic salts are poorly absorbed by the roots and leaves of seedlings, so the effectiveness of the use of conventional agrochemicals is very low. Chelates are highly active, since trace element ions are located in a biological shell.

Iron chelate eliminates such a common pathology as premature yellowing and wilting of plant leaves. However, the richest harvest from the site can be obtained by correctly combining mineral supplements with organic ones. Microelements feed plants with the necessary substances, and organic matter structures the soil and saturates it with humus.

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For normal growth and development, plants need different nutrients with which they must be supplied throughout their entire life. Iron chelate is the most important microfertilizer that provides reliable protection from the manifestation of a disease such as chlorosis. The substance is also used to improve photosynthesis processes in plants growing in poor soil.

Benefits of iron chelate for plants

The peculiarity of the substance is that it is iron in chelated form. This allows it to be easily and completely absorbed by plants, providing them with balanced nutrition for proper growth. For greens, iron is an intermediate substance. It is not required as much as macroelements, but not as little as microelements. Therefore, this element is an indispensable component for plants.

Iron deficiency can be easily determined by the appearance of the plant: a light leaf plate and typical green veins on it are all symptoms of chlorosis. The disease occurs against the background of a failure in the production of chlorophyll in the foliage.

Chlorosis occurs when there is a severe deficiency of iron in the soil or as a result of disturbances in the plant’s absorption of the element in this form. To solve the problem, it is necessary to change agricultural practices and apply fertilizers.

Characteristics of microfertilizer

Iron actively takes part in metabolic processes, but is also part of enzymes that normalize respiration and the formation of chlorophyll.

Key Features

Main positive traits chelated iron:

The main feature of the substance is its accessibility to plants. Many people believe that rusty water is also a source of iron, but this is a misconception. Yes, it is there, but in this form the substance does not dissolve and can have a detrimental effect on the plant.

In some cases, even the accessible form of an element may not be useful. For example:

1. If the soil contains dolomite or chalk. These two components reduce the access of the substance to the plant. Even if there is a sufficient amount of it in the soil, there will still be a deficiency.
2. As a result of oxidation, the available form of iron may become unavailable. This reaction occurs due to the interaction of the element with oxygen.

Application for plants

Iron occupies one of the leading places among all microelements for plants. It is a guarantor of timely biosynthesis of chlorophyll and a reliable protector against various diseases, including chlorosis. Promotes proper development, vegetation and activation of all life processes that ensure full growth of plants.

Regular use of microfertilizer guarantees:

This microfertilizer can be used as a top dressing for foliar and root tillage. If there are significant signs of iron deficiency, maximum effect can be achieved by using it as a foliar treatment of disease-affected leaves.

Fruit trees - pear, apple, plum, peach, cherry, citrus trees, as well as grapes grown on poor soils - especially suffer from a lack of the element. Symptoms of the disease are expressed in poor yield, poor flowering and dull color of the fruit. Deficiency also negatively affects vegetable crops - potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, cabbage.

DIY Chelated Iron

Microfertilizer can be bought in special stores, but you can also prepare your own chelate at home, which will be more economical. Below are two methods that use iron sulfate, which costs several times less than the finished powder of the substance.

The first method is ascorbic acid

This method will require ascorbic acid, which can be purchased at any pharmacy. The only condition is that ascorbic acid should not contain glucose.

Cooking steps:

• add iron sulfate to a solution (1 teaspoon per 500 ml of water) ascorbic acid(10 g);
• the resulting mixture is diluted boiled water(3 liters), after mixing, an iron chelate is formed.

That's it, the solution is ready for use. The concentration of such a solution will be approximately 0.5%, so it can be used for spraying.

The second method is citric acid

To prepare this method, citric acid is used, you can buy it at any grocery store. Manufacturing stages:

• Add citric acid (1 tablespoon) and iron sulfate (1 teaspoon) to boiled water (3 liters);
• When thoroughly mixed, a light orange mixture is obtained.

The main disadvantage of making iron chelate at home is that it cannot be stored for a long time, since the iron oxidizes and precipitates.

Instructions for use

As mentioned above, the solution is used as root or foliar feeding. Root feeding It is recommended to use in particularly severe cases of chlorosis, foliar - for the prevention of the disease. It is important to remember that iron chelate is a substance of the third class of danger for people, so when working with it it is necessary to use personal protective equipment.

Foliar treatment

By foliar treatment we mean spraying diseased trees or plants with a solution from a spray bottle. For preventive purposes, spraying is carried out 2 times, while diseased plants are sprayed 4 times.

The first treatment is carried out after the foliage unfurls, the next – after 14–21 days. It is advisable to spray fruit trees with 0.8% iron chelate, and vegetable, berry, field, ornamental crops and vineyards - with a solution of 0.4%.

Root treatment

For root treatment, use a 0.8% solution. It is used to water the plant directly at the root or in pre-prepared holes (20–25 cm).

Watering is carried out in the following proportions:

• 10–20 liters – per tree;
• 1–2 liters – per bush;
• 4–5 liters – per 100 square meters of vegetable or berry crops.

Refer to the instructions for using branded liquid or chelated iron tablets for other dosages. This is explained by the content of ballast components in the solution or tablet. But when recalculated for the active substance, the concentration will still remain the same.

So, if plants are sick with chlorosis or it is necessary to improve their photosynthesis, there is no better helper than iron chelate. The ease of preparation, use and its low cost are undeniable arguments in favor of its use.

There can be both a deficiency and an excess of iron in the soil. Rust-forming ferric iron for plants great benefit does not carry. To produce chlorophyll, a divalent component is required. Therefore it was created special remedy- iron chelate. This is a modern and effective microfertilizer containing only one important microelement - ferrous ions.

Iron chelate is excellent for replenishing iron deficiency in plants

Main characteristics

For proper growth and formation, plants need special nutritional elements with which they need to be saturated throughout the entire growing season. Plants completely absorb iron, providing themselves balanced diet, protection from diseases and proper growth.

Description and release form

Iron deficiency can be easily determined by external signs: light foliage with green veins. Chelated iron is an ion coated with a shell of weak organic acid residues. Pear, apple, plum, cherry, lemon, as well as grapes grown on depleted soils suffer from a lack of the element. The trees bear little fruit, bloom slightly, and the color of the fruit becomes light or pale. The shortage also affects vegetable crops.

Iron deficiency in plants is easily determined by appearance

Selected species indoor flowers are demanding of iron and other trace elements, as they must remain in a closed substance. Azaleas, lemongrass, hydrangeas, gardenias and others are susceptible to iron deficiency. When the first signs of chlorosis are detected, it is necessary to spray the leaves. This will ensure healthy looking and full development.

Objectives of iron chelate:

• rapid treatment of infectious chlorosis (yellowing of foliage) even in an advanced stage;
• prevention of chlorosis;
• restoration of plant photosynthesis in bad conditions cultivation (poor soil, deficiency or excess of light, cold or hot weather).

Iron chelate is available by different manufacturers and in different form factors

Compounds of microelements in chelated form are more stable than in the form inorganic salts. Polychelated concentrations are effective and available for plants various metals: iron, copper, manganese and zinc. The product produces the greatest effect when combined with boron, improving land reclamation. For example, crops such as radishes and strawberries greatly deplete the soil. Joint processing with boric acid will increase productivity.

In powder or other solid forms, the chelate is unstable when exposed to air and sunlight.

Benefits of using iron chelate:

• stable immunity to environmental conditions;
• replenishment of micronutrient deficiencies;
• improvement of cellular respiration, metabolism and photosynthesis;
• good plant growth;
• increase in the amount of iron.

In this video you will learn about the use of iron sulfate:

Sold in the form of tablets with stabilizers or in bottles with a concentrated stock solution. The latter type is a dark brown liquid. The finished working solution turns light brown or orange. The fertilizer is stored for one year pure form. After opening the package, if the substance was stored in a closed form, the shelf life does not change. The mother solution in an unclosed container retains its properties for two weeks; the working solution is used immediately.

Positive effects of fertilizer:

Plants do not have an overdose of iron-containing components, since the roots, leaves and stems absorb only required amount microelements.

Rules for dosing and use

Affordable price and ease of use will soon solve plant problems. Root feeding is used in complex and advanced cases of chlorosis, foliar feeding is used to prevent the disease.

Also, iron chelate can be used to prevent chlorosis

Foliar, external treatment is the spraying of plants or trees with liquid from a spray bottle. The initial treatment is carried out after the foliage unfurls, the next one after two weeks. Fruit trees are irrigated with 0.8% chelated iron, and vegetable, berry and ornamental crops with a 0.4% solution.

When root watering, use 0.8% fertilizer. The product is poured under the root in the appropriate volume.

Proportions of the product for root watering:

• 10−20 liters per tree;
• 1−2 liters per bush;
• 4−5 l per 100 sq. m of vegetables or berries.

The instructions for use may contain other dosage information. This is due to the presence of ballast components in different forms release. When recalculating active substance the concentration remains the same.

It is important to adhere to the rules and safety precautions for the use of iron chelate

Spraying, irrigation and watering are carried out in the evening; a warm, cloudy day is recommended. The spray bottle should not produce splashes, but rather a light drizzle. The irrigation procedure is completed when fine dew settles on the leaves. Drops should not roll down.

Before watering at the root, the soil should be well moistened. This is done in advance.

Do-it-yourself microfertilizer

The working solution is prepared from budget vitriol. The chelate is formed by an acidifier - citric or ascorbic acid. The effect of the substance is explained by the fact that when vitriol is dissolved in water, iron ions are formed, which are captured by the chelating agent.

In two liters of warm water, divalent 8 g of copper sulfate is mixed until completely dissolved. In another container, maintaining a similar proportion, dissolve 5 g of citric acid. Add in a thin stream to the resulting acidic solution. copper sulfate. Stirring constantly, pour in 1 liter of water. The result is a fertilizer volume of 5 liters. A solution with a concentration of the main substance of 0.5% is used immediately.

Iron chelate is ready at home. The suitability of the working composition is determined by the transparency and orange tint of the liquid. There should be no sediment or cloudy color. Ready solution cannot be diluted; if necessary, increase the amount of water and reagents to obtain a larger volume.

Another option is to add ascorbic acid. The tablets should not contain glucose. Ascorbic acid (10 g) is added to a solution of iron sulfate (1 tsp per 0.5 l of water). Dilute 3 liters of water, after combining, chelated iron is formed.

The main disadvantage of creating iron chelate at home is that it cannot be stored, since the drug oxidizes and precipitates. The disintegrated chelate complex does not leave behind compounds harmful to the plant. Its breakdown products are carbon dioxide and water, which are harmless to the plant.

Safety rules and analogues of the product

Treat plants in the garden or indoors with iron chelate with extreme caution. There are similar preparations that, in the absence of original fertilizer, are successfully used in gardening.

Precautionary measures

The product belongs to substances of the third class of danger to humans, therefore the treatment of plants is carried out using personal protective equipment. When fertilizer gets on the skin, it often causes inflammation and redness.

When using the drug, you must comply general measures security:

At the end of the procedure, you need to wash your face and hands with soap, wash your clothes and treat them with a soda solution.

Drug substitutes

The agronomic market is represented by a large number of fertilizers and means for feeding garden crops. Due to its easy absorption, iron chelate for plants is quite common. It's versatile and environmentally friendly pure fertilizer, benefiting the garden. Some analogues are identical to iron chelate, while others are inferior in quality.

It is not necessary to use iron chelate; any product containing iron ions will do.

Ferovit is a universal photosynthesis activator. The fertilizer contains chelated iron, urea and nitrogen. This product is used to treat all year round vegetable and fruit crops, as well as domestic and ornamental plants. Indoor flowers suffer from hard water, which makes the soil alkaline and makes it difficult for the free absorption of iron from the soil. Fertilizer saturates the soil with iron, promotes good absorption of ions by plants, and saturates seedlings.

Another analogue is Microvit K-1, containing iron, sulfur and nitrogen compounds. The product actively fights plant chlorosis and is used for external and root treatment during the growing season. Citric acid is used as a chelating agent, which protects iron ions from oxidation.

Fertik's water-soluble granules and aqueous solution are well absorbed by the plant and soil. Granules require plenty of moisture.

Some time after feeding your plants with iron, you will notice improvements in their condition.

Instead of a chelate, ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) is used. This substrate is cheaper in cost, but also inferior in usefulness. During the decay of ions, the main part of the beneficial substances evaporates. The use of ferrous sulfate causes excess sulfur and burns the plants. Sulfate does not help with depleted soil and poor climatic conditions. This fertilizer should not be used on small areas(up to 10 acres) and in greenhouses).

Microfertilizer Orton Micro-Fe contains iron, boron, cobalt, manganese, zinc and other elements. It is used as foliar feeding to activate photosynthesis, prevent chlorosis, and increase resistance to diseases.

The introduction of any microelements into the soil or the treatment of plants with them plays the role of a healer for fruit crops.

The use of Reakom fertilizing increases germination energy, germination, resistance to diseases and bad weather conditions. Foliar feeding provides even greater absorption of useful elements, accelerates flowering, pollination, and improves the quality of the crop.

It is important to understand that iron is extremely important element for plants, if the problem is not corrected in time, it is negative
will affect the result

Iron is an important element for plant growth. Its lack leads to a disruption in the production of chlorophyll in the leaves, and the process of photosynthesis gradually stops. Iron deficiency is felt in alkaline soils. If the content of the element is sufficient, for its absorption it is necessary to maintain the acidic reaction of the soil. The only form of metal available that is easily absorbed is chelated iron.

Iron is one of the most essential nutrients. It is not classified as either macro or microelements; it simply must be constantly present in plant nutrition. A lack of iron leads to a disruption in the production of chlorophyll in the leaves, i.e., the gradual cessation of a vital function - the process of photosynthesis.

The most surprising thing is that iron is the most common element, and it is found in sufficient quantities in the soil, but, unfortunately, in a form inaccessible to plants. The only available and easily absorbed form of the metal is iron chelate.

What is iron chelate

Chelates are highly effective microfertilizers that contain one or more microelements enclosed in a shell. As the shell disintegrates, beneficial elements are released and nourish the plants. One such fertilizer is iron chelate.

III-valent iron – Fe(III) – is found in free form in the soil. But its molecules are inactive and bring virtually no benefit to plants and are not absorbed. The divalent form of iron Fe(II) is mobile, easily and quickly absorbed, but the problem is that such iron very quickly oxidizes, turning into the trivalent form (rust).

To prevent this from happening, Fe(II) is placed in a “shell” - a chelate complex, which consists of weak organic acids (most often citric acid). Iron in the chelate shell can retain its II-valence structure long time until the chelate complex disintegrates. The advantages of using iron chelate are that:

• the breakdown of chelates occurs at the same rate as the absorption of iron by plants, i.e. iron oversaturation cannot occur, plants take as much as they need;

• the chelate shell breaks down into elements that do not pollute the soil and are harmless to the environment - oxygen, hydrogen, carbon.

Chlorosis, its causes and treatment

Why do plants need iron chelate? Iron is responsible for the normal course of the most important process in plants - photosynthesis. A deficiency of the element leads to infection of plant organisms with chlorosis, i.e. the synthesis of chlorophyll in green leaves is disrupted.

Plants seem to be losing vitality, weaken and may even die. This manifests itself mainly on newly developing shoots as follows:

• the plates of young leaves between the veins become yellow, but the veins themselves remain bright green;

• leaves become small;

• there is an unreasonable fall of leaves and unopened buds;

• the shape of buds and flowers changes and bends;

• the edges of the leaves curl;

• apical shoots do not develop or dry out;

• the development of the root system slows down or stops, in the worst case – death of the roots.

Even one of these symptoms indicates an insufficient amount of iron in the soil. To help plants, it is necessary to make root or foliar feeding iron solution.

Which is better for plants - iron chelate or iron sulfate?

The most common fertilizers containing iron are chelates and sulfates. However, many gardeners are inclined to believe that iron chelate is much more effective and safer than sulfate:

• during the decomposition of Fe2 (SO4)3 fertilizer, much less divalent iron is released than active SO4 ions;

• the rate of release of Fe(II) and its absorption by plants do not coincide, so most of the useful element is lost;

• to achieve the norm of iron consumption, you will have to oversaturate the plants with sulfur, which results in sulfur poisoning;

• iron sulfate is ineffective on depleted soils, in summer time and in difficult climatic conditions.

It is much more effective to use iron chelate to feed plants.

How to use

Fruit trees - apple trees, pears, plums, peaches, cherries, lemons - suffer most from iron deficiency. In addition, microelement deficiency is noticeable in such fruit and vegetable crops as tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, potatoes, corn, and raspberries. The most effective are foliar treatments of plants by leaves, but root watering also gives good results.

To prevent chlorosis

For preventive purposes, spray the leaves every two weeks from the appearance of new leaves until the start of flowering (but at least 2 times). To do this, prepare a solution: 5 g of iron chelate is diluted in 10 liters of water, which is used to treat plants at the rate of 1 liter per 10 m2.

For the treatment of chlorosis

5 g of chelate is dissolved in 5 liters of water to fruit trees, in 8 liters of water for vegetable crops. Treatment must be carried out at least 4 times with a break of 2 weeks. If it is necessary to treat deep chlorosis, you can water the plants at the root - 2 liters per 1 sq.m.

For indoor plants

Some types of domestic flowers are especially demanding of iron and other trace elements, as they are forced to remain in a closed substance for a long time. Iron deficiency is experienced by:

• citrus trees;

• azaleas;

• hydrangeas;

• clerodendrum;

• gardenias.

If symptoms of chlorosis are also observed in other plants, regularly spraying the leaves with an iron chelate solution will help maintain healthy appearance and normal development of pets.

Preparation of the drug at home

It is easy to make your own iron chelate at home. When ferrous sulfate is dissolved in water, Fe(II) and Fe(III) ions are formed. A chelating agent (citric acid) traps ferrous iron and supplies it to plants.

The drug is effective for preventive treatments, but contains a large number of ballast - Fe(III), therefore, when preparing, compliance with proportions is fundamental. The working solution must be used immediately while it remains Orange color and transparency.

Cooking method:

• dissolve 5 g of citric acid in 2 liters of warm distilled or rain water (you can use pure, settled water);

• dissolve 8 g of iron sulfate in the same amount of water;

• then slowly pour the vitriol solution into the citric acid solution in a stream, stirring constantly with a wooden stick;

• then pour in another 1 liter of water in the same way and immediately use the solution.

Proportions and sequence must be observed. Treatment must be carried out in the evening or early cloudy (!) morning.

Video instructions for preparing the drug

If there are signs of copper deficiency in plants, you can prepare a copper chelate using the same principle, only the components are taken in proportions: 20 g copper sulfate/40 g ascorbic acid.

Behavior in soil

Iron deficiency is most often felt in alkaline soils. Even if the element content is sufficient, for its absorption it is necessary to maintain a slightly acidic soil reaction.

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Iron chlorosis is a common plant disease. It is characterized by a violation of the formation of chlorophyll in the leaves. The leaf blade turns yellow, but the veins remain green. Almost everyone who gardens experiences this disease. What is chlorosis in plants, how to treat this disease?

The cause of iron chlorosis is a severe lack of iron, which may be insufficient in the soil. In addition, changes may occur in the plant itself, leading to a loss of the ability to absorb iron. To eliminate the disease, you should eliminate the mistakes made in the agricultural technology of growing the plant and feed it with iron.

Signs of chlorosis

Chlorosis is not a fatal disease; it can be easily cured if the characteristic symptoms are noticed in time.

A diseased crop can be easily identified by the following signs:

• leaves decrease in size;
• young leaves turn yellow, only the veins remain green;
• the edges of the leaf plate curl;
• the shape of flowers and buds changes;
• the development of the root system deteriorates;
• the apical shoots dry out.

Reasons for development

If manifestations of chlorosis are noticed in time, the plant can be successfully treated. To do this, you need to know the causes of the disease, and they can be as follows:

1. Insufficient amount of minerals and trace elements in the diet. Most often, the soil lacks iron, zinc, magnesium, sulfur, and lime.
2. Infection caused by insects, fungal spores, various viruses and microorganisms.
3. Damage to the root system, bad condition soil, lack of drainage and other germination defects.
4. Hereditary chlorosis.

Types of disease

There are many types of leaf chlorosis, the difference of which is reflected in the lack of a certain element in the plant’s nutrition. To determine which microelement is missing, you should focus on external signs.

Plants susceptible to chlorosis

All plants are susceptible to nutrient deficiencies. This applies to both domestic crops and those that grow on open ground, and even aquarium ones. But some plants are the most susceptible and, if emergency measures are not taken, may die from chlorosis.

Most prone to the disease:

Prevention

To prevent plant disease, certain measures should be taken. This concerns proper preparation planting, optimal timely care of the crop. To exercise necessary measures, it is important to know the types of chlorosis. This disease occurs:

Garden tools should be washed with boiling water and wiped with a cloth moistened with alcohol..

To reduce the risk of chlorosis, you must:

• choose the right substrate for plants. The soil must be permeable and light. ;
• monitor the soil, pay attention to the acidity of the soil. A shift towards an alkaline environment greatly increases the risk of chlorosis. Alkalinization should not be allowed;
• Water the plants periodically with acidified water. To do this, several grains of citric acid are dissolved in 1 liter of water.

Treatment

If the plants are already sick with chlorosis, preventive measures will not be enough. Of course, you will have to change the soil and use it for watering acidified water, but in addition, it is necessary to add iron in chelated form to the diet. It is easily digestible and suitable even for sick plants.

The health of the plant is restored after application at the root and spraying with the following preparations:

Iron chelate can be sprayed on the leaves or applied to the soil. In the first case, the effect of the drug appears much faster. Useful material penetrate into the plant tissue within 24 hours. When watering, this only happens after three days.

In addition, for the treatment of non-infectious chlorosis, you can use not only ready-made drugs, but also those made independently. At the same time, for each species it is necessary to select individual fertilizers with a higher content of what is needed in in this case substances.

To eliminate magnesium chlorosis, you should use drugs such as dolomite flour, potassium magnesium, magnesium sulfate, Mag-Bor. As improvised means Wood ash is recommended.

The lack of sulfur can be compensated for by special sulfur-containing fertilizers. Most often they are complex and contain, in addition to sulfur, other substances beneficial to plants: nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, etc.

Nitrogen deficiency is eliminated with mineral fertilizers based on nitrogen. They can be nitrate, ammonia, amide. The most popular - ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate.

Nitrate fertilizers, calcium and sodium nitrate are mainly used to feed vegetable crops.

To feed plants and replenish some mineral elements, You can use homemade compositions:

Homemade fertilizers, like ready-made ones, are used in small quantities with caution, carefully observing how the plant reacts to fertilizing.

Ferovit

A good remedy for iron deficiency in plants is ferovit. They are processed not only flowering plants, but also fruit crops, and also spray seedlings.

This drug is used for foliar treatment. It is important to follow the dosage indicated in the instructions for use of Ferovit for plants. Excess iron can lead to poor absorption of manganese and phosphorus. The concentrate is usually sold in small ampoules. You can also find iron chelate in powder form.

To prepare the spray, it is better to take boiled water. The alkali contained in hard water can react with iron. This will weaken the effect of the drug.

Plants should be sprayed in cloudy weather, taking into account the possibility of rain. Ferovit treatment should be carried out three times per season. In the spring she will promote education beautiful foliage, in the summer - to maintain strength, and before hibernation it will strengthen the immune system.

Homemade iron chelate

It's easy to make your own iron chelate at home in two traditional ways:

The shelf life of homemade iron chelate is 2 weeks.

One of the unconventional and very common methods of combating chlorosis at home is to bury rusty nails in a pot with a plant. The main thing here is the presence of rust.

It is always better to be proactive to prevent illness by timely feeding and quality care.

I take iron chelate in ampoules, liquid and dilute it in a 0.5-liter bottle, pour it into a spray bottle and treat the plants when there is no sun. Works quite effectively

Antonina

I added vermiculite to the soil with microelements that kill chlorosis. In this case, the plant does not need to be replanted, just remove it upper layer soil and add soil with vermiculite. Ferovit, containing iron, is fed to the plant at the root. I personally used ferovit and was very pleased with the result.

I can tell you from my own experience how I treated passionflower. After applying a complex of fertilizers with a high nitrogen content, I noticed that the leaves on the plant began to curl. I poured a complex solution containing: manganese -4.2%, iron -8.14%; copper -0.5%; boron -1.6%, zinc -1.0%, cobalt -0.2%, molybdenum -0 ,1%. Improvements were noticeable within a day. The chlorotic spots on the leaves have practically disappeared and they have unfurled.

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