Timing and rate of iron chelate application to correct chlorosis of peanut

Abstract

The timing and rate of application of iron (Fe) chelates (seques‐trene 138 Fe) to correct Fe chlorosis of peanut grown on calcareous soils was studied for three seasons (1985–87) in seven experiments. It was found that the biological yield of peanut increased up to the highest rate of chelate used (8 g/m²). However, under the existing prices of the chelate and peanuts, application is financially untenable above 4 g/m². The time of chelate application should not be at sowing, but after the crop becomes chlorotic. Even though the yield differences between early application at branching, 25 to 30 days after emergence, and an application at anthesis, 45 to 50 days after emergence, was small, the trend in yield and size of nuts favored the earlier application. Therefore, it is recommended that the application of the Fe chelate be at the early stages of plant development, particularly in cases of severe chlorosis.