Relationships between solution HCO 3 -and Fe deficiency chlorosis have been demonstrated with certain dicotyledonous plants grown with high soil moisture and poor aeration. This study was conducted to determine the influence of soil moisture on solution HCO 3 -at depths to 1 meter in a calcareous soil and determine the influence of moisture regime and length of pre-plant wetting on sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, cv. G-522DR) growth. The effects of three soil moisture regimes and three pre-plant wetting periods on sorghum growth were examined utilizing a randomized complete block, factorial design with three replications. A Clare ville clay loam (Pechic Argiustoll) was reconstructed in 0.102 m diameter pipe 1 meter in length with sorghum being grown in a greenhouse for eight weeks. Soil solution HCO 3 -concentration increased with increasing soil moisture, with a positive linear relationship being found at depths > 0.2 m. Even though solution HCO 3 -concentrations > 8 mM were found in the wetter columns at depths > 0.4 m at harvest, only slight interveinal chlorosis developed. Reductions in dry matter accumulation at higher soil moisture levels may have been due more to factors associated with poor soil aeration than Fe availability.