Differential susceptibilities of weeping lovegrass strains to an iron-related chlorosis on calcareous soils

Journal Article · · Agron. J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6384545

Foy, C D; Voigt, P W; Schwartz, J W

Observations of weeping lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees) strains growing on a calcareous soil at Woodward, Okla., indicated differing degrees of susceptibility to a chlorosis tentatively attributed to Fe deficiency. To test this hypothesis thoroughly, the authors grew 41 strains in greenhouse pots containing a mixture of calcareous Millville and Quinlan soils, both of which were known to produce Fe-deficiency chlorosis in several crops. The final pH of the mixture was 7.8. Weeping lovegrass strains differed widely in susceptibility to chlorosis and in top growth on the calcareous soil mixture. Chlorosis-susceptible strains had higher Mn concentration and lower Fe:Mn ratios than did the chlorosis-resistant strains. Some chlorosis-susceptible strains seemed to have unfavorable Fe:Cu and Fe:Zn ratios. Differential chlorosis was not directly related to concentrations of Fe, P, Zn or Cu in plant tops. Chlorosis susceptibility seems to be related to inhibited Fe metabolism, rather than to reduced Fe uptake by plants. Several experimental strains of weeping lovegrass were far more resistant to Fe deficiency chlorosis than current cultivars used. Results suggest that superior cultivars of this species can be bred for adaptation to calcareous soils in which Fe-deficiency chlorosis is a problem. 22 references, 3 figures, 3 tables.

• Research Organization: Dept. of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD
• OSTI ID: 6384545
• Journal Information: Agron. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Agron. J.; (United States) Vol. 69; ISSN AGJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

510200 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
560303* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Plants-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIOLOGICAL ADAPTATION
BIOLOGICAL VARIABILITY
CHLOROSIS
COPPER
DATA
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FEDERAL REGION VI
GRASS
GROWTH
INFORMATION
IRON
MANGANESE
METABOLISM
METALS
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL DATA
NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY
OKLAHOMA
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PH VALUE
PLANT BREEDING
PLANT GROWTH
PLANTS
QUANTITY RATIO
SENSITIVITY
SOILS
TOXICITY
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
USA
ZINC