Fe deficiency in Potentilla tridentata 'Nuuk'

Fe deficiency in Potentilla tridentata 'Nuuk'

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Scientific Name
Iron (Fe)
Atomic Number
26
Atomic Weight u
55.845
Elemental Group
Micro elements (B, Cl, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Zn) | Micronutrients
Available Forms

Available forms of Iron (Fe) for use in Container Nursery Stock

  • Ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄·7Hâ‚‚O, 'Iron sulfate') – soluble, quick corrective; used in foliar sprays and drenches.
  • Ferric sulfate (Feâ‚‚(SOâ‚„)₃, 'Iron(III) sulfate') – soluble, strong acidifying effect; less common but effective in some media drenches.
  • Iron chelate (Fe-EDDHA, 'EDDHA-Fe') – highly stable, effective up to pH 9; best for high-pH container media.
  • Iron chelate (Fe-DTPA, 'DTPA-Fe') – stable up to about pH 7; widely used in fertigation for container crops.
  • Iron chelate (Fe-EDTA, 'EDTA-Fe') – economical, but only effective at low pH (≤6).
  • Iron citrate (C₆Hâ‚…FeO₇, 'Ferric citrate') – soluble organic form; sometimes used in foliar applications.
  • Iron lignosulfonate (varied formula, 'Iron lignosulfonate') – chelated with organic acids; used as soil or media amendment.
  • Iron frits (varied composition, 'Slow-release Fe frits') – glass-fused carriers providing slow, controlled Fe release in container mixes.

Iron (Fe) Deficiency in Potentilla tridentata ‘Nuuk’ (Container Nursery Stock)

Symptoms

  • Young leaves show interveinal chlorosis – bright yellow lamina with green veins, most evident on recently expanded foliage.
  • Severe cases: leaves may appear almost white, growth tips weaken, and leaf margins may show necrosis.
  • Overall plant becomes stunted with reduced vigor.
  • Flowering and bud formation can be delayed or diminished due to impaired photosynthesis.
  • Plant loses ornamental value (important in container-grown landscape ornamentals).

Causes

  • High substrate pH (>6.0–6.5) reducing Fe solubility and uptake.
  • Irrigation water with high bicarbonates/carbonates leading to gradual media alkalinity.
  • Excess liming or alkaline potting components (e.g., dolomitic lime, hard irrigation water).
  • Excess phosphorus fertilization, which ties up available Fe in the root zone.
  • High levels of manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), or copper (Cu), competing with Fe for uptake.
  • Poor root health from compaction, waterlogging, or root rot pathogens restricting Fe absorption.
  • Potentilla species, including ‘Nuuk’, are sensitive to Fe availability in alkaline container media.

Correction

  • Foliar sprays:
  • Apply iron chelates (Fe-EDDHA, Fe-DTPA, or Fe-EDTA depending on substrate pH).
  • Iron sulfate (FeSO₄·7Hâ‚‚O) sprays at low concentration for quick greening (avoid leaf scorch).
  • Soil/media drenches:
  • Fe-EDDHA is most effective and stable under alkaline pH conditions.
  • Fe-DTPA works in slightly acidic to neutral mixes.
  • pH management:
  • Lower substrate pH to 5.0–5.5 to increase Fe solubility.
  • Use acidifying fertilizers (e.g., ammonium sulfate) instead of nitrate-based sources.
  • Irrigation water adjustment:
  • Inject acids (sulfuric, phosphoric, or citric acid) to neutralize bicarbonates if alkalinity is high.

Prevention

  • Maintain substrate pH between 5.0 and 5.5 for optimal Fe availability.
  • Test irrigation water alkalinity routinely; treat if bicarbonate levels are high.
  • Use Fe-chelates (especially Fe-EDDHA) preventively in fertigation programs.
  • Avoid over-liming container mixes; apply only as needed to balance Ca and Mg.
  • Prevent excessive P fertilization, as it antagonizes Fe uptake.
  • Maintain healthy root systems with proper drainage and disease control.
  • Regularly monitor leaf tissue Fe levels and media pH to catch early deficiencies.

Fe deficiency in Potentilla tridentata 'Nuuk'

Iron (Fe)
Scientific Name
Iron (Fe)
Atomic Number
26
Atomic Weight u
55.845
Elemental Group
Micro elements (B, Cl, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Zn) | Micronutrients
Available Forms

Available forms of Iron (Fe) for use in Container Nursery Stock

  • Ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄·7Hâ‚‚O, 'Iron sulfate') – soluble, quick corrective; used in foliar sprays and drenches.
  • Ferric sulfate (Feâ‚‚(SOâ‚„)₃, 'Iron(III) sulfate') – soluble, strong acidifying effect; less common but effective in some media drenches.
  • Iron chelate (Fe-EDDHA, 'EDDHA-Fe') – highly stable, effective up to pH 9; best for high-pH container media.
  • Iron chelate (Fe-DTPA, 'DTPA-Fe') – stable up to about pH 7; widely used in fertigation for container crops.
  • Iron chelate (Fe-EDTA, 'EDTA-Fe') – economical, but only effective at low pH (≤6).
  • Iron citrate (C₆Hâ‚…FeO₇, 'Ferric citrate') – soluble organic form; sometimes used in foliar applications.
  • Iron lignosulfonate (varied formula, 'Iron lignosulfonate') – chelated with organic acids; used as soil or media amendment.
  • Iron frits (varied composition, 'Slow-release Fe frits') – glass-fused carriers providing slow, controlled Fe release in container mixes.
Fe deficiency in Potentilla tridentata 'Nuuk'
Image Source: LVG Bad Zwischenahn (D), care of ICL

Iron (Fe) Deficiency in Potentilla tridentata ‘Nuuk’ (Container Nursery Stock)

Symptoms

  • Young leaves show interveinal chlorosis – bright yellow lamina with green veins, most evident on recently expanded foliage.
  • Severe cases: leaves may appear almost white, growth tips weaken, and leaf margins may show necrosis.
  • Overall plant becomes stunted with reduced vigor.
  • Flowering and bud formation can be delayed or diminished due to impaired photosynthesis.
  • Plant loses ornamental value (important in container-grown landscape ornamentals).

Causes

  • High substrate pH (>6.0–6.5) reducing Fe solubility and uptake.
  • Irrigation water with high bicarbonates/carbonates leading to gradual media alkalinity.
  • Excess liming or alkaline potting components (e.g., dolomitic lime, hard irrigation water).
  • Excess phosphorus fertilization, which ties up available Fe in the root zone.
  • High levels of manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), or copper (Cu), competing with Fe for uptake.
  • Poor root health from compaction, waterlogging, or root rot pathogens restricting Fe absorption.
  • Potentilla species, including ‘Nuuk’, are sensitive to Fe availability in alkaline container media.

Correction

  • Foliar sprays:
  • Apply iron chelates (Fe-EDDHA, Fe-DTPA, or Fe-EDTA depending on substrate pH).
  • Iron sulfate (FeSO₄·7Hâ‚‚O) sprays at low concentration for quick greening (avoid leaf scorch).
  • Soil/media drenches:
  • Fe-EDDHA is most effective and stable under alkaline pH conditions.
  • Fe-DTPA works in slightly acidic to neutral mixes.
  • pH management:
  • Lower substrate pH to 5.0–5.5 to increase Fe solubility.
  • Use acidifying fertilizers (e.g., ammonium sulfate) instead of nitrate-based sources.
  • Irrigation water adjustment:
  • Inject acids (sulfuric, phosphoric, or citric acid) to neutralize bicarbonates if alkalinity is high.

Prevention

  • Maintain substrate pH between 5.0 and 5.5 for optimal Fe availability.
  • Test irrigation water alkalinity routinely; treat if bicarbonate levels are high.
  • Use Fe-chelates (especially Fe-EDDHA) preventively in fertigation programs.
  • Avoid over-liming container mixes; apply only as needed to balance Ca and Mg.
  • Prevent excessive P fertilization, as it antagonizes Fe uptake.
  • Maintain healthy root systems with proper drainage and disease control.
  • Regularly monitor leaf tissue Fe levels and media pH to catch early deficiencies.