Evaluating the Effectiveness of Iron Chelates in Managing Iron Deficiency Chlorosis in Grain Sorghum

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Iron Chelates in Managing Iron Deficiency Chlorosis in Grain Sorghum A. Obour 0 1 R. Perumal 0 1 0 Kansas State University , USA 1 Part of the Agricultural Science Commons , Agriculture Commons, Agronomy and Crop Follow this and additional works at: https://newprairiepress.org/kaesrr Sciences Commons, and the Plant Breeding and Genetics Commons Recommended Citation Obour, A. and Perumal, R. (2015) "Evaluating the Effectiveness of Iron Chelates in Managing Iron Deficiency Chlorosis in Grain Sorghum," Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 1: Iss. 3. https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.1029 - This report is brought to you for free and open access by New Prairie Press. It has been accepted for inclusion in Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports by an authorized administrator of New Prairie Press. Copyright January 2015 Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service. Contents of this publication may be freely reproduced for educational purposes. All other rights reserved. Brand names appearing in this publication are for product identification purposes only. No endorsement is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned. K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Evaluating the Effectiveness of Iron Chelates in Managing Iron Deficiency Chlorosis in Grain Sorghum Abstract Grain sorghum production in alkaline or calcareous soils is frequently affected by iron (Fe) chlorosis. Soil conditions such as high pH, high free calcium carbonate (lime), and low organic matter favor development of iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC), which can delay crop maturity and reduce yields. Two field experiments were conducted in the summer of 2014 to determine the effectiveness of Fe chelate application in alleviating IDC in grain sorghum. Treatments in the first study were four Fe chelate application rates (0, 3, 6, and 9 lb/a) applied either in-furrow with the seed at the time of planting or 2 weeks after planting. A split treatment of 3 lb/a applied at planting and another 3 lb/a applied 2 weeks after planting was included. The second study was a split-plot design with two Fe chelate products as main plots and sorghum hybrids (Golden Acres 5613 and Sorghum Partners hybrid NK5418) as the subplot factor. Results showed IDC scores among the treatments were significant only in the early stages of growth. Severity of IDC tends to decrease throughout the growing season, confirming the ability of sorghum hybrids to grow out of IDC under favorable environmental conditions. Iron chelate application did improve sorghum yield, with the highest yield occurring when Fe chelate was split-applied at 6 lb/a. The two grain sorghum hybrids evaluated differed in their response to IDC and grain yield. GA5613 showed greater tolerance to IDC than NK5418. Application of Fe chelate to GA5613 had no effect on grain yield; however, Fe chelate application significantly improved grain yields in NK5418. Our preliminary findings suggest the first 30 days of growth may be the critical period to control IDC in grain sorghum. Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. This Agricultural Research Center-Hays article is available in Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: https://newprairiepress.org/kaesrr/vol1/iss3/8 Kansas Fertilizer Research 2015 Evaluating the Effectiveness of Iron Chelates in Managing Iron Deficiency Chlorosis in Grain Sorghum A. Obour and R. Perumal Summary Grain sorghum production in alkaline or calcareous soils is frequently affected by iron (Fe) chlorosis. Soil conditions such as high pH, high free calcium carbonate (lime), and low organic matter favor development of iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC), which can delay crop maturity and reduce yields. Two field experiments were conducted in the summer of 2014 to determine the effectiveness of Fe chelate application in alleviating IDC in grain sorghum. Treatments in the first study were four Fe chelate application rates (0, 3, 6, and 9 lb/a) applied either in-furrow with the seed at the time of planting or 2 weeks after planting. A split treatment of 3 lb/a applied at planting and another 3 lb/a applied 2 weeks after planting was included. The second study was a split-plot design with two Fe chelate products as main plots and sorghum hybrids (Golden Acres 5613 and Sorghum Partners hybrid NK5418) as the subplot factor. Results showed IDC scores among the treatments were significant only in the early stages of growth. Severity of IDC tends to decrease throughout the growing season, confirming the ability of sorghum hybrids to grow out of IDC under favorable environmental conditions. Iron chelate application did improve sorghum yield, with the highest yield occurring when Fe chelate was split-applied at 6 lb/a. The two grain sorghum hybrids eval (...truncated)