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Overview
Iron is the fourth most abundant mineral in the earth's crust after oxygen, silicon and aluminum. Plants derive 2.5 percent concentrations of iron from all the elements they derive from the soil. Iron is classified as a trace element, or micro-nutrient, because it is only needed in small amounts. Too much iron can be toxic to plants.
Symptoms
Excess iron can produce stunted growth of roots and tops, dark green foliage, or dark brown to purple leaves on some plants. Iron toxicity is a special problem in rice paddies that show the symptom of brown leaves, called "bronzing."
Soil pH
In acidic soils--those with a pH lower than 5--anaerobic bacteria reduce iron to the soluble Fe2, providing plants with too much iron. Iron toxicity commonly occurs in water-logged soils. Acid soils that are poorly aerated or compacted can increase iron to the point of toxicity. Plants use iron in the form of ferrous iron Fe2. In alkaline soil--those with a high pH--Fe2 is changed into iron oxides or hydroxides that are less soluble or insoluble. Soluble iron in excess of 1,000 parts per million is found at a soil pH of 6.3. At pH 6.5, that number drops to 352 ppm, at pH 7 it is 35 ppm and at pH 7 the number is 3.5 ppm. The higher the soil pH the likely problem is iron deficiency; at lower pH levels the problem more likely is iron toxicity. If your soil has a low pH, make sure to keep it well drained.
Keywords: iron toxicity plants, excess iron plants, iron problems plants