KUYKENDALL: IRON DEFICIENCY
permanently in July 1954 and the water level
in the ditch was lowered to seven and one-
half feet. The water table at the 220 foot
position was lowered from 40 inches (June
1954) to 66 inches as measured in September
1954. Root distribution will be studied in
July 1955 to note any changes that may occur
with a lower water table.
Summary
1. Stabilizing the water table at a lower
level increased the total rooting area and the
newly developed roots survived without peri
odic destruction.
2. Lowering the water table from 30 to 70
inches doubled the quantity of feeder roots in
SURVEY OF IRON DEFICIENCY IN FLORIDA CITRUS
J. Richard Kuykendall*
Florida Citrus Experiment Station
Lake Alfred
Iron deficiency is widespread in Florida cit
rus, resulting in the well known yellowing or
iron chlorosis pattern of the foliage. In recent
years chelated iron has been used rather exten
sively for the correction of this chlorosis. This
has raised the question as to the geographical
and varietal distribution of iron deficiencies in
citrus trees in the state. In order to obtain
some answers to this question, a survey was
made to determine the relative leaf-iron con
tent of various varieties of citrus in all of the
major citrus growing areas of Florida.
Leaf samples were collected from 123
groves, representing all of the major commer
cial varieties and all the major citrus growing
districts of the state. One hundred and six
teen of these groves are used in connection
with the weekly insect and disease summary
project of the Citrus Experiment Station. Rec
ords are available on each of these groves,
giving the location, rootstock, soil type, and
fertilizer and spray applications for the past
five years. The groves used for the insect and
disease summary work were carefully selected
Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal
Series, No. 305.
* Now with Geigy Agricultural Chemicals, Research
Laboratory, Bayonne, N. J. The work reported was
conducted while the author was a member of the Flor
ida Citrus Experiment Station staff and was aided by
a grant from the Geigy Chemical Corporation.
33
four years and increased the size of the trees.
3. The feeder-root concentration in the
deep-rooting zone (30-70") was greater than
in the 0-10 inch zone and considerably higher
than is usual for trees growing on deep, well
drained sands.
4. When root distribution was above 13
grams (expressed as dried feeder roots in a
sq. ft. column) a visible increase in tree size
could be noted.
LITERATURE CITED
1. Ford, Harry W. 1953. The effect of spreading
decline on the root distribution of citrus. Proc. Fla.
State Hort. Soc. 65: 47-50.
2. Ford, Harry W. 1954. Unpublished data, Fla.
Citrus Exp. Sta.
as being representative of the particular vari
ety in the particular location.
Sampling
The leaf sample taken from each grove in
cluded a random selection of 20 non-chlorotic
leaves, summer flush 1953, from each of the
5 trees, making a total sample of 100 leaves.
The leaves were from 5 to 6 months old at the
time of sampling. Iron determinations and
chlorophyll extractions were made on each
sample of leaf material. No correlation could
be established between iron and chlorophyll in
these samples of green leaves and only the iron
analysis will be presented in this paper.
Iron Analysis
All leaf samples to be used for iron determi
nations were washed by scrubbing with a soft
nylon brush in a detergent solution, rinsed
once in tap water and twice in deionized water.
Washed leaves were dried in a forced air
drier at 70 C. for 48 hours or longer, and
then ground in a stainless steel Wiley mill, and
stored in airtight glass jars.
Dried leaf tissue was digested in 100 ml.
volumetric flasks, using 2.00 gram samples and
33 ml. of a 5:1 nitric-perchloric acid mix. Fol
lowing digestion the solutions were allowed to
cool to room temperature, then made up to
volume with deionized water. Solutions were
then thoroughly mixed and allowed to stand
overnight to allow the silica residue to settle
out on the bottom of the flasks. Aliquots for
iron determinations were taken from the top of
34 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 1954

Location of Groves Sampled for Leof iron Survey

Leaf Iron Content

- Below 60 ppm -
lew

60 to 90 ppm-
Medium

Above 90 ppm-
High

Fig. 1. Location of Groves Sampled for Leaf-Iron Survey.

 KUYKENDALL: IRON DEFICIENCY 35

the solutions in such a way as to not disturb all locations was found to be 66.6 ppm. (Table
the silica residue. Iron determinations were 1). Fifty of the 123 groves, or 40.7 percent,
made using the ortho-phenanthroline proce had a leaf-iron content below 60 pprn. (Table
dure. 3). This suggests that a much larger number
Results of groves than was originally thought may
In order to evaluate the data obtained from have iron deficiency. In many of these in
this survey, it was necessary to establish cer stances, iron chlorosis patterns may appear
tain leaf iron standards. Preliminary studies only at certain times of the year, such as dur
at the Citrus Experiment Station had estab ing growth flush periods. However, even in
lished that citrus leaves containing below 60 these cases the lack of sufficient iron could be
ppm. of iron may be chlorotic on trees growing one of the limiting factors in the amount of
on acid soil. On this basis the survey data was growth produced.
divided into three categories; below 60 ppm. Trees containing the highest amount of iron
of iron was considered as being low, between were found in the West Coast, Ridge and
60 and 90 ppm. of iron as medium, and any Gainesville districts, while trees from the In
values above 90 ppm. iron were classified as dian River and Brooksville districts contained
high. A map showing the locations of the the least (Table 1). The Ridge district trees
various groves and their relative leaf iron con contained on the average 21.5 ppm. more iron
tent (low, medium or high) is presented as than those from the Indian River district The
Fig. 1, and the data for iron analysis are in low values for trees in the Indian River and
Tables 1, 2 and 3. Upper East Coast areas was anticipated be
When all the information was evaluated, cause of the calcareous nature of the soils on
the mean leaf-iron content for all varieties in which the trees grow. In general, iron is not
readily taken up by trees growing on calcare
Table 1 ous soils. There are, however, some indica
Efftct of Location and Rootatock on Average
tions from other work which is being done at
leaf Iron Content of Citrus the Citrus Experiment Station that citrus trees
growing on these soils may have a lower iron
requirement than trees growing on acid soils.
Number
Average
Iron
Separation of the data according to root-
of Content stocks (Table 1) shows that on the average,
Groves
trees on rough lemon rootstocks tended to
All varieties in all locations t 123 1D~ have higher leaf iron values than trees on sour
All varieties: orange rootstocks. This was anticipated be
cause of the more vigorous growth of trees on
Axsft
rough lemon rootstock, and because many of
Gainesville 7 71.2 the groves on sour orange rootstock are on cal
Upper East Coast 3 60.3 careous soil. The effect of rootstock on leaf
iron content may be partially responsible for
Orlando 31 67.5
the very low iron values of groves in the In
Brooksville 15 52.9 dian River (average 51.1 ppm. Fe) and Up
Indian River 15 51.1 per East Coast (average 60.3 ppm. Fe),
Bartov
where 15 out of 18 groves, or 83 percent, were
10 65.3
on sour orange rootstock. This is contrasted
Ridg 30 72.6 with the data for the Ridge district (average
Vest Coast 12 85.9 72.6 ppm. Fe) where 24 out of 25 groves, or
96 percent, were on rough lemon stock.
A separation of the data according to varie
All varieties in all locations:
ties (Table 2) indicates a possible difference
between varieties in their ability to take up,
Rough leaon 64 70.0
store and utilize iron. Valencia orange trees
had the highest average iron content (71.6
Sour orange 45 61.3
ppm.), with leaf iron values for Hamlin (66.8
ppm.), and Parson Brown (65.6 ppm.) trees
being near the average for all varieties, and
Range of leaf iron content vu from 35.0 to 142.0 ppm. Fe. leaves of Pineapple orange trees being quite
36 Table 2

Effect of Varieties on the Iron Content of Citrus Leaves

Number Average Number of Average

Variety Area of Iron Rootstock Groves on Iron ppm.
Groves ppm. Rootstock (Rootstock)

Orlando 9 72,4
Brooksville 3 58.3
Indian River 3 53.3 Rough lemon 20 72.5
Valencia orange Bartov 4 75.6
Upper East Coast 1 76.5 Sour orange U 68.5
Ridge 11 72.9
West Coast 4 85.3
Total 35 Ave. 71.6

Orlando 6 75.4
Gainesville 2 71.8
Brooksville 6 48.9 Rough lemon 12 69.1 -
Hamlin orange Indian River 1 57.5
Bartov 1 58,3 Sour orange 5 59.6
Ridge 3 63.3
West Coast 1 142.0
Total 20 Ave. 66*8

Gainesville 4 74.4
Orlando 2 51.9 Rough lemon 4 65.3
Parson Brown orange Ridge 1 80.0
Bartov 2 63.8 Sour orange 7 65.7
Brooksville J2 56.3
Total 11 Ave. 65.6

Gainesville 1 57.5
Upper East Coast 2 52.3 Rough lemon 5 69.2
Orlando 4 54.1
Pineapple orange Indian River 3 52.5 Sour orange 9 53.4
Ridge 2 89.4
Bartov 2 56.3
Total 14 Ave. 59.1

Brooksville 1 72.5
Duncan grapefruit West Coast 2 52.5 Rough lemon 8 70.1
Bartov 1 5*. 5 Sour orange 1 42.5
Ridge J> 72.7
Total 10 Ave. 66.6

Orlando 2 75.0
Indian River 4 52.0 Rough lemon 9 69.4
Marsh grapefruit Brooksville 1 88.7
West Coast 2 80.0 Sour orange 3 65.1
Ridge _4 78.4
Total 13 Ave. 70.8

Pink grapefruit Total

(all varieties) AH locations 8 Ave. 67.9

Temple orange Total 4 Ave. 43.8

Dancy tangerine M " Total 3 Ave. 62.9

Miscellaneous oranges n " Total 5 Ave. 61.3

 KUYKENDALL: IRON DEFICIENCY 37

low in iron, (59.1 ppm.). The iron content of mean leaf iron content for all varieties in all
the other varieties of citrus was near or locations was found to be 66.6 ppm. Fifty of
slightly higher than the over-all average, with the 123 groves, or 41 percent, had a leaf iron
the exception of the very low average for content below 60 ppm. Sixty-four groves on
Temple oranges (43.8 ppm. Fe). rough lemon rootstock (all varieties in all lo
cations) had a mean leaf iron content of 70
Summary ppm., while 45 groves on sour orange root-
A survey was made to determine the iron stock had a mean leaf iron content of 61 ppm.
content of citrus leaves from groves through Pineapple orange groves (59 ppm. iron) and
out Florida. Leaf samples were collected groves of Temple orange (44 ppm. iron) and
from 123 groves in 21 counties, representing Dancy tangerines (62 ppm. iron) were low in
all of the major citrus growing areas. The leaf iron content compared with the state

Table 3

Range in Iron Content of Leaves of Various Varieties of Citrus

in All Major Citrus Growing Areas of Florida

Percent of total number of groves with leaf

iron content falling ^il fo^-owittff r^nffes.
40 50 60 70 80
Average Below to to to to to Above Below
Variety ppm. Fe 40 49 59 69 79 89 90 60
ppm. ppm. ppm. ppm. ppm. ppm. ppm. ppm.

All varieties1 (123) (2) (17) (3D (25) (20) (14) (14) (50)
66.6 1.6 13.9 25.2 20.3 16.3 11.4 11.4 40.7

Valencia (35) (5) (6) (7) (5) (5) (7) (11)

71.6 14.3 17.1 20.0 14.3 14.3 20.0 31.4

Hamlin (20) (2) (1) (6) (4) (4) (1) (2) (9)
66.8 10.0 5.0 30.0 20.0 20.0 5.0 10.0 45.0

Parson Brown (n) (1) (3) (2) (2) (3) (4)

65.6 9.1 27.3 18.2 18.2 27.3 36.4

Pineapple (15) (1) (9) (3) (1) (1) (10)

59.1 6.7 60.0 20.0 6.7 6.7 67.0

Duncan (10) (1) (2) (2) (3) (2) (3)

66.6 10.0 20.0 20.0 30.0 20.0 30.0

Marsh (13) (2) (1) (2) (4) (2) (2) (3)

70.8 15.4 7.7 15.4 30.8 15.4 15.4 23.1

Numbers in brackets are number of groves with leaf iron content falling within
each range*

Includes varieties in addition to the six listed.

38 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY,
average for all varieties in all locations. All of
the other varieties on the average had a leaf
iron content which was very close to or above
the over-all state average of 66.6 ppm. Leaf
iron contents of groves in the Indian River,
THE EFFECT OF LEAD ARSENATE SPRAYS ON
QUALITY AND MATURITY OF RUBY RED
GRAPEFRUIT
E. J. Deszyck and J. W. Sites
Florida Citrus Experiment Station
Lake Alfred
Since Ruby Red grapefruit is grown for the
fresh fruit market, it is desirable to know the
seasonal changes in internal quality as related
to maturity. Fruit quality of grapefruit is in
fluenced by acidity, soluble solids, ratio of
solids to acid, juice.content, and other factors.
These factors form the basis for the legal ma
turity standards defined by the Florida Citrus
Code of 1949 (2). Very little is known about
the seasonal changes in quality of Ruby Red
grapefruit (4) although such information is
available for Marsh and Duncan varieties (3).
In these white varieties, the solids content,
ratio, and juice increase with maturity within
certain limits, but the acidity and vitamin C
gradually diminish as the season advances.
In Florida, grapefruit trees sprayed with
moderate amounts of lead arsenate (7) pro
duce fruit of early legal maturity. Low
amounts applied to trees produce sweeter and
more palatable grapefruit of high quality dur
ing the remainder of the fruit season (6). Ar
senic reduces the acid content of grapefruit
by an unknown physiological process, thereby
increases the ratio, and may advance legal
maturity by as much as four months (3).
Variations in ratio between the unsprayed and
sprayed fruit is generally small in the imma
ture fruit, and large in the mature fruit- late
in the season. For practical purposes, spray
ing Marsh or Duncan grapefruit with lead
arsenate does not influence the content of
juice, vitamin C, or soluble solids in the fruit.
Grapefruit sprayed with high concentrations
of lead arsenate usually attains a slightly
earlier maturity than fruit sprayed with mod-
Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal
Series, No. 347.
1954
Upper East Coast and Brooksville districts in
general were below the state average. The
low values for the Indian River and Upper
East Coast areas were anticipated because of
the alkaline nature of the soils in those areas.
erate amounts; however, the increase in the
ratio is not proportional to the rate in the
spray. For example, a high rate of lead arse
nate (3 lb. per 100 gal.) applied to Marsh
grapefruit (1) increased the ratio approxi
mately 3 percent above that of the moderate
rate. High rates not only cost more but there
is also the possibility of tree injury and gum
ming of the fruit, as a result of too much
arsenic.
From the standpoint of attainment of early
maturity of grapefruit, a single spray of the
moderate rate applied postbloom, or at any
time before the average fruit diameter is ap
proximately 1J inches (7,8) is usually most
effective. Spraying grapefruit at any other
time may not result in early maturity. Some
growers believe that trees sprayed shortly be
fore harvest produce mature fruit earlier, al
though there is no evidence to this effect.
The purpose of this paper is to show the
seasonal changes in Ruby Red grapefruit qual
ity with maturity. Although it is known that
lead arsenate sprays hasten maturity, it is not
known to what extent various concentrations
influence maturity and quality of the red
grapefruit. Results of the past three seasons
show that Ruby Red grapefruit is very re
sponsive to arsenic sprays, and that a lead
arsenate spray at 0.8 lb./lOO gal. was highly
satisfactory in the production of early passing
legal maturity ratios in the juice.
Experimental
A lead arsenate spray experiment was con
ducted during 1951-52, 1952-53, and 1953-54
on eight- to ten-year-old Ruby Red grapefruit
trees growing on sour orange rootstock in a
commercial grove on Lakeland sand. The
grove received complete fertilizer, cultural
treatments, and the regular sprays with the
exception of lead arsenate. Spray treatments