Iron chlorosis development and growth response of peach rootstocks to bicarbonate 1

For dicots, bicarbonate (HCO₃‐) is regarded as a main factor in the induction of iron (Fe) chlorosis in calcareous soils, and sand and solution culture. In sand culture experiments, peach [Prunus persica (Batsch) L.] rootstock developed chlorosis only when HCO₃‐ levels were equal to or higher than 6 mM. Above this level, chlorosis increaeed as HCO3‐ level was increased. In spite of the lack of chlorosis at to or below 6 mM of HCO₃‐, large growth reductions (40–60% reduction in fresh shoot weight) were seen in all rootstocks, although the tolerant rootstock had less reduction than the more susceptible rootstocks. Shoot growth was affected by HCO₃‐ more than was root growth.