The incredibly dry conditions many growers faced in the 2021 growing season left behind elevated levels of salt, a leading cause of Iron Deficiency Chlorosis, in the soil. Iron Deficiency Chlorosis (IDC) affects growers across the country. This yield-robbing condition can be devastating, but it is also avoidable and treatable. The first step is understanding IDC and learn how to prevent it.

What Is Iron Deficiency Chlorosis?

Iron Deficiency Chlorosis occurs when crops are unable to access adequate amounts of soluble ferrous iron (Fe2+) for normal crop development processes. In some cases, enough ferric (Fe3+) iron may exist in the soil, but plants are not able to use the iron unless it is reduced to ferrous (Fe2+) form.

The plant’s inability to uptake the appropriate amount of iron creates a chlorophyll imbalance that can lead to the visual symptom of the yellowing leaves and can result in dramatic yield loss.

Soil characteristics and weather conditions can also increase the instances and severity of IDC in soils that are prone to developing these symptoms.

What Causes Iron Deficiency Chlorosis?

IDC is rarely caused by a lack of iron in the soil, but rather a lack of available iron, due to nutrient tie-up in the soil. However, in some areas, plants are not able to reduce and uptake iron in a usable form, usually due to one of three main causes:

• High levels of calcium carbonate (CCE) in the soil 

Calcium carbonate particles can come in contact with the crop’s roots and neutralize the excreted acid (which helps with iron uptake by the plant) and can result in the plants’ inability to have access to adequate levels of iron.

• High salinity 

Soils with a high salt content should be a major concern for anyone trying to predict and combat iron deficiency chlorosis since IDC conditions are the most severe in saline soils.

• Soil pH levels above 7 

The pH of the soil also has a major impact on the availability of iron for the plants’ uptake. When the soil pH is more than 7.5 it is considered alkaline. When this happens, plants have a difficult time reducing the iron to the soluble form (Fe2+) needed to develop a healthy and high yielding crop.

How to Prevent IDC

These are the ways to prevent Iron Deficiency Chlorosis in soybeans:

• Determine whether your field is at risk or has previously suffered from IDC
• Apply iron-chelated fertilizer in-furrow
• Choose a soybean variety that is tolerant to IDC
• Consider planting a companion crop to optimize soil conditions
• Apply proper herbicides
• Avoid soil compaction
• Use an iron chelate product

For growers and retailers looking for in-furrow solutions this spring, Soygreen from CHS Agronomy is a proven solution for keeping iron soluble for uptake. Through chelation, Soygreen helps to overcome ionic bonds in the soil and converts nutrients into a usable form that is ready for plant uptake. Soygreen has the purest and highest concentration of ortho-ortho-EDDHA chelate, compared to other premium micronutrient products. This provides the most available iron for the plant to uptake and even makes other nutrients in the soil available to the plant. By improving availability, Soygreen improves yield potential and harvestability.