Growth chamber experiments, employing a two‐zone root technique and nutrient solutions, were conducted to study the influence of iron on the growth of Linum usitatissimum L., fiber flax, at various levels of zinc sulfate. Zinc and iron variables were added to one root zone, while all other essential nutrients were added to a second root zone. Plant growth in nutrient solutions containing as much as 1.00 ppm of Zn was increased by the addition of 5.0 ppm of iron as FeCl3. Competition for root absorption sites existed between Zn+2 and Fe+3. Zinc appeared to interfere with iron uptake, whereas iron did not interfere with zinc uptake. FeEDDHA (sodium ferric ethylenediamine di‐[o‐hydroxyphenylacetate]) and Rayplex Fe (iron complexed with modified polyflavonoid copolymers) also increased plant growth in solutions containing 0.50 ppm zinc.
A field experiment was conducted to study the influence of soil pH micronutrient additions and other management practices on soybean yields where peach trees had been grown previously. Decreased soybean yields resulted when either zinc sulfate or superphosphate was added to soil with a pH value below approximately 5.40. FeEDDHA improved plant growth, but did not influence soybean yields. Raising soil pH from 5.40 to approximately 6.40 with 2,602 kg/ha of dolomitic limestone increased plant growth and soybean yields. Zinc content of leaves ranged from a high of 229 ppm in acid soil to 77 ppm in limed soil. Highest soybean yields were obtained from organic matter (snap corn meal) in combination with dolomitic limestone.
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