Investigation of relationships between iron status of peach leaves and soil properties

Abstract

This study investigated those soil factors related to iron (Fe) chlorosis between Fe status of peach leaves and some soil properties in the Antalya region of Turkey. The total Fe content of leaves was negatively correlated with soil pH and the organic matter content of the soils. Extractable Fe (by 1N HCl) was negatively correlated with the calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and bicarbonate (HCO₃‐) content of the soils. In addition, both total‐ and extractable‐Fe contents of leaves were also negatively correlated with the copper (Cu) content of the soils. On the other hand, significant correlations were found among the Fe index, P/Fe ratio of leaves, and soil pH, phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn), and Cu content of the soils. It appears from these studies that high pH, and the CaCO₃, HCO₃‐, and Cu contents are effective soil factors affecting the availability of Fe and its uptake by the peach trees, and these soil factors were associated with severity of Fe chlorosis in the studied area.