Abstract:
Iron chlorosis is a well known agricultural problem associated with
citrus plants. Citrus sinensis (sweet oranges) grown in Bibile showed the
symptoms of iron chlorosis. Analysis of leaf samples of orange trees from
two orchards showed that chlorosis is caused by a simple deficiency of iron
in leaves. This deficiency is caused as a result of very low levels of soluble
iron in the soil. Application of three chelating agents namely 1,2
diaminocyclohexanetetraacetic acid (COT A), nitrilo acetic acid (NT A) and
disodium salt of ethylenediamminetetraacetic acid (NazEOT A) to the soil
under laboratory conditions resulted in an increased levels of soluble iron.
COT A was found to be more effecti ve than the other two chelating agents in
solubalization of insoluble forms of iron.
