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Iron nutrition in bedding crops
If you grow petunia and primula crops, read our guide to identifying and avoiding common nutrient problems
The causes and symptoms of iron deficiency in petunia and primula and how to avoid it
Petunia and primula are both popular bedding species that are prone to a range of nutritional issues. Plants that don’t take up enough iron, can quickly show distinctive deficiency symptoms which can result in a poor-quality product. Numerous factors can affect iron uptake and these need to be identified to avoid and solve the problem.
On these pages you will find information to help you with this problem, including:
- How to recognise the symptoms of iron deficiency in petunia and primula.
- What are the common causesof iron deficiency in petunia and primula.
- How to help avoid iron deficiency.
- How to treat iron deficiency.
The symptoms of iron deficiency in petunia
The symptoms are:
- Areas of paler green or yellow between the veins of the leaf (interveinal chlorosis).
- The leaves affected are the younger leaves, while older leaves at the base of the plants stay green until the issue becomes severe.
- Younger leaves may go completely white/pale yellow.
- Plants can have stunted growth.
The symptoms of iron deficiency in primula
The symptoms are:
- Areas of paler green or yellow between the veins of the leaf (interveinal chlorosis).
- Chlorosis starts at the edge of the leaf and spreads towards the middle as the symptoms increase.
- The leaves affected are the younger leaves, while older leaves at the base of the plants stay green until the issue becomes severe.
What are the possible causes of iron deficiency?
Understanding the cause of a nutrient deficiency will help you to avoid problems in the crops. See our quick guide to identifying possible causes.
How to prevent and treat iron deficiency
Our best practise advice on how to avoid problems with iron deficiency in primula and petunia and how to deal with them when your crop has a problem.
Prevent or treat iron deficiency
How to monitor nutrients in glasshouse crops
Monitoring plants is an important part of identifying problems. Read our page on monitoring crops for advice on this issue.
Useful links
Effective application of liquid feed to bedding crops
Read more about nutrient management in different crops in RB2019
Authors
Hilary Papworth (NIAB) and Benjamin Tea (NIAB)