Plant Health Initiative

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Disease: Iron Deficiency Chlorosis

Basics

Symptoms

Links to state resources

Founded by the North Central Soybean Research Program --and funded by the Soybean Checkoff – this website is a portal to current, science-based information on soybean pests and diseases, from university soybean researchers throughout the 12-state region.

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University of Illinois
Southern Illinois University

Iowa State University

Kansas State University

Michigan State University

University of Minnesota

University of Missouri

University of Nebraska

North Dakota State University

Ohio State University

Purdue University

South Dakota State University

University of Wisconsin

Iron Deficiency Chlorosis - Agronomic Impact

Soybean producers throughout the North Central region identify IDC as an important production issue, resulting in substantial yield losses in some years. Research has confirmed that soybean in chlorotic areas of fields had lower leaf chlorophyll concentrations, stunted growth, and poor nodule development relative to nonchlorotic plants. Chlorosis can result in reduced soybean growth and yield, as illustrated in the graph below.

Relationship between the severity of chlorosis at the 5-6 trifoliolate stage and seed yield of soybean, North Dakota, .
R. Jay Goos , North Dakota State University

The rating scale:

1=no chlorosis, plants normal and green

2=a slight yellowing, no differentiation between veinal and interveinal areas on the leaf

3=interveinal chlorosis (leaf veins green but interveinal areas yellow), but no indication of stunting of growth or necrosis (death) of leaf tissue

4=interveinal chlorosis with reduced growth or some necrosis of leaf tissue

5=very severe chlorosis, plants with stunted growth, and youngest leaves and growing point necrotic, or entire plants dead.