Methodology to Screen New Iron Chelates: Prediction of Their Behavior in Nutrient Solution and Soil Conditions

Abstract

Iron chelates analogous to ethylenediamino‐di(o‐hydroxyphenyl)acetic acid (EDDHA) are the fertilizers chosen to treat iron chlorosis of crops grown on calcareous soils. Characterization of these synthetic ligands should be made to establish their chemical behavior and efficiency as chlorosis correctors. The aim of this research was to develop an appropriate methodology to screen new iron chelates using analytical determinations and chemical equilibrium concepts. Fe‐EDDHA, Fe‐EDDH4MA, Fe‐EDDH5MA, and Fe‐PDDHA chelates, were compared to check the proposed methodology. Titrimetric purity, protonation and Ca, Mg, and Fe(III) stability constants, pFe and species distribution in nutrient solution and soil conditions were determined. The iron chelate stability constants were in order EDDHA > EDDH4MA > EDDH5MA > PDDHA. When pFe was calculated, the larger value corresponds to Fe‐EDDHA chelate at pH below 8; but at pH above 8 the Fe‐EDDH4MA shows the larger pFe values. When the species was plotted against pH, the dominant species was FeL^? at the physiological pH range in all cases. The pH at a FeL/L_T ratio of 80% in both Fe(OH)_3amorp and Fe_soil systems was considered as an iron chelate stability index. This index was EDDH4MA > EDDH5MA > EDDHA > PDDHA in both systems, but shows that all of the chelates tested were sufficiently stable in most soil and nutrient solution conditions. In conclusion, the proposed procedure is adequate for the preliminary evaluation of the synthetic chelating agents, using important parameters such as analytical and speciation properties to predict their chelating behavior and efficiency in nutrient solution and soil conditions.     

Effectiveness of iron chelates and FeSO4 for correcting iron chlorosis of peanut on calcareous soils

The effectivenness of different Fe chelates to correct lime induced chlorosis of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) was tested on calcareous soils in Cyprus. Among the chelates tested, Fe‐DTPA and Fe‐EDTA were less effective than Fe‐EDDHA. In one experiment. Fe‐EDDHMA Was less effective while in another experiment was equally effective compared to Fe‐EDDHA . Three different commercial chelates of the form Fe‐EDDHA were equally effective in correcting iron chlorosis. The stability of the Fe‐EDDHA chelate in the soil does not affect its efficiency in curing chlorosis of peanut due to the short growing season for this crop. Ferrous sulfate applied without an acidifying soil amendment was not effective to correct iron chlorosis of peanut.     

The use of iron chelates in compound fertilizers containing trace elements

Abstract

The chemical behaviour of iron chelates, incorporated in compound fertilizers with inorganic micronutrient compounds, was studied. Pot experiments were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of these products in controlling iron deficiency. A commercial compound fertilizer, containing 0.09% Fe as Fe‐DTPA, 0.12% Cu, 0.16% Mn and 0.04% Zn as sulfates, proved to be ineffective in preventing iron chlorosis in Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ’Alumii’, growing on sphagnum peat at two lime levels. The same fertilizer formulation with 0.09%‐ Fe as Fe‐EDDHA did prevent iron chlorosis at both lime levels. Fe‐EDTA, incorporated in the compound fertilizer, gave good results at the lower but not at the higher lime level, due to the low stability of Fe‐EDTA at high pH. Data from laboratory experiments showed that copper replaced the chelated iron in the compound fertilizer containing Fe‐DTPA, causing the iron to precipitate. The strong competition between copper and iron for the organic ligand is due to a specific affinity of copper for DTPA, resulting in a copper chelate with high stability constant and a molar ratio of copper to chelating agent of 2 : 1.

In the case of Fe‐EDDHA and Fe‐EDTA the competition between iron and copper is much weaker. In contrast to Fe‐DTPA, these chelates remain rather stable when incorporated in fertilizers containing micronutrients.     

Iron fertilizers applied to calcareous soil on the growth of peanut in a pot experiment

A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted with peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L., Fabceae) to evaluate iron compound fertilizers for improving within-plant iron content and correcting chlorosis caused by iron deficiency. Peanuts were planted in containers with calcareous soil fertilized with three different granular iron nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) fertilizers (ferrous sulphate (FeSO₄)–NPK, Fe–ethylendiamine di (o-hydroxyphenylacetic) (EDDHA)–NPK and Fe–citrate–NPK). Iron nutrition, plant biomass, seed yield and quality of peanuts were significantly affected by the application of Fe–citrate–NPK and Fe–EDDHA–NPK to the soil. Iron concentrations in tissues were significantly greater for plants grown with Fe–citrate–NPK and Fe–EDDHA–NPK. The active iron concentration in the youngest leaves of peanuts was linearly related to the leaf chlorophyll (via soil and plant analyzer development measurements) recorded 50 and 80 days after planting. However, no significant differences between Fe–citrate–NPK and Fe–EDDHA–NPK were observed. Despite the large amount of total iron bound and dry matter, FeSO₄–NPK was less effective than Fe–citrate–NPK and Fe–EDDHA–NPK to improve iron uptake. The results showed that application of Fe–citrate–NPK was as effective as application of Fe–EDDHA–NPK in remediating leaf iron chlorosis in peanut pot-grown in calcareous soil. The study suggested that Fe–citrate–NPK should be considered as a potential tool for correcting peanut iron deficiency in calcareous soil.     

Characterization of commercial iron chelates and their behavior in an alkaline and calcareous soil

Iron deficiency is a common problem for many plants grown in alkaline and calcareous soils. To correct this problem, iron is supplied to plants as chelates. Several iron chelates are sold under diverse trademarks with different characteristics. This work evaluated 18 commercial products containing the most representative chelated iron sources used in agricultural practice in Spain when the study was done, namely the ferric chelates of EDDHA, EDDHMA, EDDCHA, EDDHSA, EDTA, and DTPA. The chelates were comprehensively characterized and quantitated by several techniques, including several chromatographic methods. Iron and chelate dynamics in soil were also studied in a model alkaline and calcareous soil. Results indicate that, in this model soil, among the different iron compounds studied only FeEDDHA and analogues have the capacity to maintain soluble iron in soil solution over time. These results are in agreement with general experience under field conditions. Furthermore, among the different ortho-ortho isomers of FeEDDHA's, FeEDDHSA and FeEDDCHA showed greater capacity than FeEDDHA and FeEDDHMA to maintain the chelated iron in soil solution over time.     

Prevention of Iron‐Deficiency Induced Chlorosis in Kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) Through Soil Application of Synthetic Vivianite in a Calcareous Soil

Abstract

In this study we have tested the hypothesis that lime‐induced Fe deficiency chlorosis of kiwifruit may be prevented by the application of a synthetic iron(II)‐phosphate analogous to the mineral vivianite [(Fe₃(PO₄)₂·8H₂O)]. Two experiments, under greenhouse and field conditions, were performed. In the greenhouse, 1‐year old micropropagated plants (Actinidia deliciosa, cv. Hayward), grown in 3‐L pots on a calcareous soil, were treated in early autumn with soil‐applied: (1) synthetic vivianite (1.35 g plant^?1) and (2) Fe‐EDDHA (24 mg Fe plant^?1). The synthetic vivianite suspension, prepared by dissolving ferrous sulfate and mono‐ammonium phosphate, was injected into the soil as a sole application whereas the Fe‐EDDHA solution was applied four times at weekly intervals. The field experiment was conducted in a mature drip‐irrigated kiwifruit orchard located on a calcareous soil in the Eastern Po Valley (Italy). Treatments were performed in early autumn by injecting synthetic vivianite (1.8 kg tree^?1) and Fe‐EDDHA (600 mg Fe tree^?1) into four holes in the soil around each tree, at a depth of 25–30 cm. The Fe‐chelate application was repeated at the same rate in the following spring. Untreated (control) plants were used in both experiments. Autumn‐applied Fe fertilisers significantly prevented development of Fe chlorosis under greenhouse conditions whereas in the field only vivianite was effective. In conclusion, these 1‐year results show that vivianite represents an effective alternative to soil‐applied Fe chelates for preventing Fe chlorosis in kiwifruit orchards.     

Interaction of iron chelates with several soil materials and with a soil standard

Frequently the effectiveness of iron (Fe) chelates is low because they can be retained or destroyed by soil materials. The high cost of these Fe fertilizers makes it necessary to study soil material reaction with Fe chelates. Commercial Fe chelates with EDTA, EDDHA, and EDDHMA as ligands and their standards, prepared in the laboratory, were shaken for one hour with various soil materials [amorphous Fe(III) oxide, acid peat, calcium (Ca)‐montmorillonite and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃)] and with a soil standard made in the laboratory. After agitation, the chelate‐soil mixtures were filtered and the micronutrients and chelated Fe that remained in solution were determined. Among the soil materials used, amorphous Fe(III) oxide and acid peat had the greatest affect on the amount of chelated Fe remaining in solution. The type of chelating agent was the next major factor that affected the availability of soluble Fe following reaction with the soil materials. Another factor was the commercial formulation of the Fe chelates. The chelates comprised of EDDHA or EDDHMA maintained the highest percentages of chelated Fe in solution after interaction with the solid phases, except for the acid peat. The last soil material, acid peat, retained more chelated Fe for the Fe chelates with EDDHA or EDDHMA than with EDTA as the chelating agent. The commercial Fe‐EDDHA chelates had greater losses of chelated Fe than their standard after interaction with all the solid phases. The commercial Fe‐EDDHA chelate (Sequestrene) and the commercial Fe‐EDDHMA chelate (Hampirón) solubilized the highest amount of copper (Cu) from soil standard. This was attributed to the presence of by‐products in the commercial formulations since the Fe‐EDDHA standard did not have Cu in solution after the interaction. Therefore, the commercial Fe chelate by‐products are able to form Cu‐complexes which could affect chelated Fe and its availability to plants.     

Iron deficiency Chlorosis in peppers

A yellow‐fruited inbred pepper cv. ‘Zehavi’, was found to be highly chlorotic on a previously non‐cultivated calcareous soil in the Arava Valley (Israel) during winter 1981–1982. Foliage symptoms and a test for diagnosing iron indicated iron deficiency, soil application of Fe EDTA corrected the symptoms in the field. When ‘Zehavi’ was sown at the same location, in the winter of 1982–1983, but on calcareous soil which had previously been cultivated for several years, no chlorosis appeared. Inheritance studies indicated recessive control for iron deficiency chlorosis but complete genetic interpretation is suggested only under controlled iron deficiency conditions.     

Fe Chelates for Remediation of Fe Chlorosis in Strategy I Plants

Abstract

Iron chlorosis is a mineral disorder due to low Fe in the soil solution and the impaired plant uptake mechanism. These effects increased with high pH and bicarbonate buffer. The solution to Fe chlorosis should be made by either improving the Fe uptake mechanism or increasing the amount of Fe in the soil solution. Among Fe fertilizers, only the most stable chelates (EDDHA and analogous) are able to maintain Fe in the soil solution and transport it to the plant root. In commercial products with the same chelating agent, the efficacy depends on the purity and the presence of subproducts with complexing activity, that can be determined by appropriate analytical methods such as HPLC. In commercial products declaring 6% as Fe‐EDDHA, purity varied from 0.5% to 3.5% before 1999, but in 2002 products ranging 3–5.4% chelated Fe are common in the Spanish market. Fe‐o,p‐EDDHA, as a synthesis by‐product with unknown efficacy, is present in all Fe‐EDDHA formulations. Commercial Fe‐EDDHMA products also contain methyl positional isomers. Fe‐EDDHSA synthesis produces condensation products with similar chelating capacity to the Fe‐EDDHSA monomer that can account for more than 50% of the chelated iron in the commercial products. Chelates with different molecules should be compared for their efficacy considering firstly their ability to maintain Fe in solution and secondly their capacity to release iron to the roots. Accepting the turnover hypothesis, their efficacy is also dependent thirdly on the ability of the chelating agent to form the chelate using native iron from the soil. The 1st and 3rd points are related to the chemical stability of the chelate, while plants make better use of iron from the less stable chelates. Plant response is the ultimate evaluation method to compare commercial products with the same chelating agent or different chelates.     

Influence of the soil/solution ratio, interaction time, and extractant on the evaluation of iron chelate sorption/desorption by soils

Synthetic Fe chelates are the most efficient agricultural practice to control Fe deficiency in crops, EDTA/Fe3+ and o,o-EDDHA/Fe3+ being the most commonly used. Their efficacy as Fe sources and carriers in soils can be severely limited by their retention on it. The aim of this work is to evaluate the possible bias introduced in the studies of the iron chelate retention by soils. For that purpose, results obtained for EDTA and EDDHA iron chelates from two batch studies with different soil/solution ratios were compared with data obtained for a leaching column experiment. Moreover, different extractants were tested to study the o,o-EDDHA/Fe3+ and o,p-EDDHA/Fe3+ desorption from a calcareous soil, and also the effect of the interaction time in their retention process has been evaluated. In summary, the mobility through a calcareous soil of the studied iron chelates differs greatly depending on the type of iron chelate and also on the procedure used to evaluate the retention and the soil/solution ratio used. In general, the leaching column method is preferred because the achieved conclusions are more representative of the natural conditions, but batch methods are very useful as a preliminary experiment, especially one with a high soil/solution ratio. The iron chelate desorption could be quantified by using a sequential extraction with water, sodium sulfate, and DTPA as extractants. Under the experimental conditions used in this study, o,o-EDDHA/Fe3+ retention increased with interaction time.     

Comparison of Various Chemical Extraction Methods used for Determination of the Available Iron Amounts of Calcareous Soils

This study was conducted to compare the most appropriate method for the evaluation of available iron (Fe) status of calcareous soils by using nine different chemical extraction methods. Leaf and soil samples were collected from nine peach (Prunus persica L.) orchards, each of which included green, slightly chlorotic, and severely chlorotic peach trees. According to the chlorosis degrees of the leaves, total and active Fe contents and some soil properties were determined. Relationships between these parameters and Fe amounts obtained from the methods were correlated. Among the methods tested, method 3 (M3) [0.05 N hydrochloric acid (HCl) + 0.025 N sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄)] and method 8 (M8) 0.05 M ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) (pH 7.0) were the most suitable methods to indicate the available Fe status of the soils.     

Differences in Response to Iron Deficiency Among Some Lines of Common Bean

Abstract

Five dry bean cultivars (Coco blanc, Striker, ARA14, SVM29‐21, and BAT477) were evaluated for their resistance to iron deficiency on the basis of chlorosis symptoms, plant growth, capacity to acidify the external medium and the root‐associated Fe³⁺‐reduction activity. Plants were grown in nutrient solution supplied or not with iron, 45 µM Fe(III)EDTA. For all cultivars, plants subjected to iron starvation exhibited Fe‐chlorosis. These symptoms were more severe and more precocious in BAT477 and Coco blanc than in the others cultivars. An important acidification of the culture medium was observed between the 4th and the 8th days of iron starvation in Striker, SVM29‐21 and, particularly, ARA14 plants. However, all Fe‐sufficient plants increased the nutrient solution pH. This capacity of acidification appeared more clearly when protons extrusion was measured in 10 mM KCl + 1 mM CaCl₂. The above genotypic differences were maintained: ARA14 showed the higher acidification followed by Coco blanc and BAT477. Iron deficiency led also to an increase of the root‐associated Fe(III)‐reductase activity in all lines. However, genotypic differences were observed: Striker shows the highest capacity of iron reduction under Fe deficiency condition.     

Plant Uptake of Iron Chelated by Humic Acids of Different Molecular Weights

Abstract

Mobilization of iron (Fe) chelated by humic acids (HA) of low (HA_10,000) and high molecular weight (HA_100,000) fractions and its uptake by plants were investigated in growth experiments with sunflower seedlings. The iron chelates (labeled with ⁵⁹Fe) contained in dialysis bags (mw. cutoff=3500) were placed in minus iron Hoagland solutions as the Fe source and at the same time fulvic acid (FA), EDTA, and low and high molecular weight HA fractions were added in the solutions as mobilizators. Characterization of FA, HA_10,000, and HA_100,000 were performed by infrared spectroscopy and chemical analysis, e.g., total acidity, COOH, and phenolic‐OH content. Roots and leaves were harvested, dried, and ground for Fe activity determination. Iron contents and pH in the nutrient solutions were measured before and after treatments. The supply of Fe to the plants was apparently sufficient, because no Fe deficiency has been detected in the test plants but during the whole absorption period, the pH of the nutrient solution was about 4.5. The Fe contents in leaves indicated that part of the Fe was rapidly transported from roots to leaves. Judging from the Fe contents in leaves, it was assumed that the small size HA_10,000 and EDTA were the most efficient in affecting transport of Fe from root to leaf tissue. FA, HA_10,000, and especially HA_100,000 were unable to penetrate the dialysis bags and, hence, were effective in Fe mobilization only after the Fe, dissociated from the Fe‐HA chelate, has passed the dialysis membrane into the nutrient solutions. In contrast, the small size EDTA was expected to have penetrated the dialysis bags, permitting mobilization of chelated Fe by ligand exchange inside the bags, and transporting the Fe to the roots. The results suggested that the humic substances used in this study were able to form with the Fe³⁺ ion complexes that maintained the iron available to the sunflower plants. In the chemical form of Fe.L, where L was FA o HA, the iron within the bags or in solution or in the roots free space, was available for exchange reactions with the natural sunflower plant chelators for its transport to the leaves.     

Effect of carbon dioxide on the stability of iron chelates

The effect of carbon dioxide partial preassure on the stability of iron chelates in calcareous soils is often laid aside. Theoretical stability diagrams have been developed showing the large importance of this compound on total iron solubility from Fe‐EDTA and ‐DTPA chelates. As CO₂ increases free Ca²⁺ activity in solution decreases. Then chelation of iron increases. CO₂ partial preassure does not change the stability of Fe‐EDDHA since percentage of chelation is 100% in all conditions tested for this chelate.

Experimental data fit theoretical diagrams well when CO₂ partial preassure is high, but when CO₂ ^‐free air is used, chelation is greater than expected. Causes that can produce this difference are discussed.     

Partial replacement of Fe(o,o‐EDDHA) by humic substances for Fe nutrition and fruit quality of citrus

The most widely used Iron (Fe) fertilizer in calcareous soils is the synthetic chelate Fe(o,o‐EDDHA). However, humic substances are occasionally combined with Fe chelates in drip irrigation systems in order to lower costs. We investigated the effect of various mixtures of Fe(o,o‐EDDHA) and a commercially available humic substance on Fe availability in a calcareous soil from Murcia, Spain (in vitro experiment) and on leaf Fe content and fruit‐quality attributes of Citrus macrophylla (field experiment). In the in vitro experiment, a calcareous soil was incubated for 15 d with solutions of sole Fe(o,o‐EDDHA) and humic substance and of a mixture of humic substance and Fe(o,o‐EDDHA) to determine the dynamics of available Fe. While the mixture did not significantly increase the available soil Fe, it did decrease the rate of Fe retention in the surface soil compared to sole Fe(o,o‐EDDHA). In the field experiment, the substitution in the application solution of 67% of Fe(o,o‐EDDHA) by commercial humic substance increased leaf P in lemon trees from 0.19% with sole Fe(o,o‐EDDHA) to 0.30% and leaf Fe from 94 mg kg^–1 to 115 mg kg^–1. Some quality parameters like vitamin C content and peel thickness were also improved with a partial substitution of Fe(o,o‐EDDHA) by humic substances. We conclude that a partial substitution of commercial Fe chelates by humic substance can improve crop Fe uptake and may thus be economically attractive. The underlying physiological mechanisms and ecological implications require further studies.     

Iron treatment of lime‐induced chlorosis: Implications for chlorophyll,Fe2 +, Fe3 + and K+ in leaves 1

This study addressed some complementary aspects related to plant Fe nutrition. A field and a greenhouse experiment were conducted to monitor changes in chlorophyll, Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺, Ca²⁺ and K⁺ along with the progressive evolution of lime‐induced chlorosis, and following soil (Fe‐EDDHA, Fe‐EDTA, Fe‐DTPA, DTPA) and foliar (Fe‐EDDHA, FeSO₄, “Fe‐Metalosate") treatments, in a chlorosis‐susceptible ornamental plant, Hydrangea macrophylla, over a year's growing period. Though soil Fe‐EDDHA was the most effective compound in alleviating chlorosis symptoms, it became less so with time and was only partly effective as a foliar spray. Leaf analysis showed that as chlorosis intensified and chlorophyll content decreased, phenanthroline ‐ Fe (Fe²⁺) decreased with corresponding increases in total iron (Fe³⁺) and K⁺ concentrations. The reliability of these chlorosis‐indicators was confirmed as the reverse changes occurred upon chlorosis plant recovery.     

Effects of exogenous SA supplied with different approaches on growth,chlorophyll content and antioxidant enzymes of peanut growing on calcareous soil

To assess the role of salicylic acid (SA) supplied with 5 approaches in alleviating chlorosis induced by iron (Fe) deficiency in peanut plants growing on calcareous soil, SA was supplied as soil incorporation, making slow-release particles, seed soaking, irrigation and foliar application. SA application, particularly, SA supplied by slow release particles, dramatically increased growth parameters, yield and quality of peanut, and increased Fe concentration in peanut grain. Meanwhile, SA application increased the H⁺-ATPase activity, reduced pH of soil, increased Fe³⁺-Chelate Reductase (FCR) activity in roots, and increased Fe concentration in roots. Furthermore, SA increased active Fe content and increased chlorophyll content. In addition, SA improved enzymes activities containing superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT), and protected Fe deficiency induced oxidative stress. Therefore, SA has a good effect on alleviating chlorosis induced by Fe deficiency on calcareous soil. However, in the 5 SA supplied approaches, foliar application and making slow release particles were more effective.     

Comparison of iron chelates and complexes supplied as foliar sprays and in nutrient solution to correct iron chlorosis of soybean

The application of synthetic chelates is the most efficient remedy for correcting iron (Fe) chlorosis. However, chelates are usually expensive and nondegradable products. Recently, new degradable chelates have been proposed for their use as Fe fertilizers. Also, Fe complexes cheaper than synthetic chelates and derived from natural products are also used to correct Fe deficiencies. Fifteen products, including five different synthetic chelates (Fe‐EDDS, Fe‐IDHA, and three Fe‐EDTA formulations) and ten natural complexes (humates, lignosulfonates, amino acids, glycoproteins, polyamines, citrate, and gluconate), have been compared when applied at low concentration to soybean (Glycine max L.) chlorotic plants grown in hydroponics under controlled conditions. In the first experiment, Fe compounds were applied to the nutrient solution, while in the second trial, Fe was foliar‐supplied. Dry matter, Fe concentration in shoots and roots, and SPAD values were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the Fe in the different products. In the nutrient‐solution experiment, synthetic chelates provided better plant growth, Fe concentration, and SPAD values than complexes. Among the Fe complexes, transferrin generally provided good plant responses, similar to those obtained with synthetic chelates. After foliar application, the highest regreening was observed for plants treated with synthetic chelates and amino acid complexes, but the translocation to roots only occurred for Fe lignosulfonate. Fe‐EDDS and Fe‐EDTA performed in a similar way when applied in nutrient solution or as foliar sprays.     

Reaction of EDTA,DTPA, and EDDHA Complexes of Zinc,Copper, and Manganese with a Calcareous Soil

Solutions of Zn, Cu and Mn chelates of EDTA, DTPA and EDDHA were reacted separately with a calcareous soil for periods up to 28 days. DTPA was an effective chelate for Zn and Cu; more than 77 and 55% of the added Zn and Cu, respectively, remained soluble after 28 days of reaction with the soil. The stability of Zn-EDTA and Cu-EDTA was relatively less than those of the respective DTPA chelates, whereas Zn-EDDHA and Cu-EDDHA were highly unstable in the soil. The loss of soluble Mn from Mn-EDTA, Mn-DTPA and Mn-EDDHA additions to soil was very rapid and completed in about one week. It was found that adsorption of Zn-EDDHA, Cu-EDDHA and Mn-EDDHA molecules by the soil was the main process removing Zn, Cu and Mn from solution. Whereas, replacement of the metal in the metal-chelate molecule by Ca ion from the soil was a more serious factor affecting the stability of DTPA and EDTA chelates of Zn, Cu, and Mn.     

Soybean Growth on Calcareous Soil as Affected by Three Iron Sources

Abstract

Iron (Fe) chlorosis is a common symptom in many soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) producing areas throughout the United States. On the Blackland soils found in northeast Texas, Fe chlorosis occasionally appears during vegetative growth, but often abates by the time plants flower. However, it is not clear whether preplant additions of Fe will enhance soybean growth or yield on this soil or whether different sources of Fe give different responses. In a greenhouse study, soil from a pH 8.4 Houston Black clay (fine, smectitic, thermic Udic Haplusterts), with a DTPA‐extractable concentration of 11.7 mg Fe kg^?1, was treated with FeSO₄ (0, 3, 10, 30, and 100 ppm Fe), sodium ferric diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (FeDTPA) (0, 0.3, 1.0, 3, and 10 ppm Fe) or sodium ferric ethylenediamine‐di (o‐hydroxyphenylacetate) (FeEDDHA) (0, 0.3, 1.0, 3, and 10 ppm Fe). Pot size was 19 L and soil dry mass was 10 kg. Soybean (cv. Hutcheson) seed were planted in November 2000 and seedlings were thinned to three per pot at the first true leaf stage. The third uppermost fully expanded leaf of each plant was harvested at growth stage R3 for nutrient analysis. Between 20 and 100 days after planting, six nondestructive leaf chlorophyll readings were obtained from the third uppermost fully expanded leaf. Entire plants were harvested at R6 (mid podfill) for nutrient and biomass yield determination. Leaf blade Fe concentration ranged from 79 to 87 mg kg^?1 in the untreated check plants to a high of 109 mg kg^?1 for the 10 ppm FeDTPA‐Fe treatment, all of which were greater than the acknowledged critical level of 60 mg kg^?1. No visible Fe‐deficiency symptoms appeared during the study. Chlorophyll (SPAD 502) values during the R3 to R5 growth stages were greater for all of the FeSO₄ treatments than for the 0 ppm treatment. The 10 ppm FeDTPA‐Fe treatment and the 3 ppm FeEDDHA‐Fe treatment exhibited higher leaf chlorophyll readings than the untreated checks during the R3 to R5 growth stage. The average seed yield from the 12 Fe fertilized treatments at growth stage R6 was only 12% greater (not significant) than the untreated check. Total biomass (root plus shoot) was not affected by the treatments. There was no evidence that the higher rates of Fe caused reduced growth. Overall, our results do not suggest that soil‐applied Fe will consistently stimulate soybean growth or yield on this soil, at least when DTPA‐extractable soil Fe is at 12 mg kg^?1 or higher. However, because of the trends for increased seed yield in some of the Fe treatments, field studies using soil‐ and/or foliar‐applied Fe are warranted.