Iron Deficiency Chlorosis: Management for Hot Spots and Whole Fields

Iron Deficiency Chlorosis impacts soybean yields primarily in the Western Corn Belt. Iron Deficiency Chlorosis (more commonly iron chlorosis) is a complex plant disorder that is driven primarily by a nutrient deficiency (iron), usually manifested where soil pH is greater than 7.5. Although Midwestern soils are abundant in iron, higher pH soils cause iron to be in a form that is less available to plants, i.e. it cannot be absorbed. Iron chlorosis, however, does not occur in all high pH soils. A multitude of other soil factors interact to impact iron chlorosis in soybean. Soil chemical properties such as soluble salts and calcium carbonate levels have a great impact on its severity. Excess soil water, low soil temperature, compaction, herbicides, and soil borne diseases are also important to the development of this disorder