ENH 1013/EP265: Iron Deficiency in Palms

Symptoms

Iron (Fe) deficiency appears as interveinal or uniform chlorosis of the newest leaves (Figure 1). Older leaves remain green. In palms suffering from chronic Fe deficiency, the entire canopy may be chlorotic (Figures 4 and 5). In severely Fe-deficient palms, new leaflets may have necrotic tips, growth will be stunted, and the meristem may eventually die (Figure 2). Early symptoms in Syagrus romanzoffiana (queen palm), Rhapis spp. (lady palms), and some Licuala spp. may appear as chlorotic new leaves covered with green spots 2 to 4 mm in diameter (Figure 3).

Figure 1. New leaf of Fe-deficient Caryota mitis (clustering fishtail palm) seedling. — Figure 1. New leaf of Fe-deficient *Caryota mitis* (clustering fishtail palm) seedling.
Credit: T. K. Broschat, UF/IFAS

Figure 2. Severe Fe deficiency on Syagrus romanzoffiana seedling on left caused by poorly-aerated degraded potting substrate. — Figure 2. Severe Fe deficiency on *Syagrus romanzoffiana* seedling on left caused by poorly-aerated degraded potting substrate.
Credit: T. K. Broschat, UF/IFAS

Figure 3. Top leaflets are from the youngest leaf of an Fe-deficient Syagrus romanzoffiana. Note diffuse green spots on otherwise chlorotic background. Lower leaflets are from an older leaf on the same palm. — Figure 3. Top leaflets are from the youngest leaf of an Fe-deficient *Syagrus romanzoffiana*. Note diffuse green spots on otherwise chlorotic background. Lower leaflets are from an older leaf on the same palm.
Credit: T. K. Broschat, UF/IFAS

Figure 4. Chronic Fe deficiency in Acoelorrhaphe wrightii (paurotis palm) on right caused by deep planting. — Figure 4. Chronic Fe deficiency in *Acoelorrhaphe wrightii* (paurotis palm) on right caused by deep planting.
Credit: T. K. Broschat, UF/IFAS

Figure 5. Chronic Fe deficiency on Licuala spinosa caused by poorly aerated decomposed potting substrate. — Figure 5. Chronic Fe deficiency on *Licuala spinosa* caused by poorly aerated decomposed potting substrate.
Credit: T. K. Broschat, UF/IFAS

Causes

Iron deficiency is usually not caused by a lack of Fe in the soil, but rather by poor soil aeration or by planting palms too deeply (Figures 4 and 5). Both factors reduce root respiration and uptake of Fe. Root injury from root rot diseases will similarly be expressed above ground as Fe deficiency, since the root surface area available for interception and uptake of Fe will be greatly reduced in root rotted palms. High soil pH is the most common cause of Fe deficiency in broadleaf trees and shrubs, but in palms it usually does not cause Fe deficiencies. Excessive uptake of other nutrient ions such as ammonium, phosphate, manganese, zinc, copper, and other heavy metals often results in Fe deficiency symptoms being expressed.

Occurrence

Fe deficiency is much more common in container production than in landscape or field nursery situations. Palms are typically slow-growing and may stay in a container for a year or longer. The organic components of container substrates tend to degrade into fine particles over time, reducing soil aeration in the process. Most palm species are susceptible to Fe deficiency under conditions of poor soil aeration, but Wodyetia bifurcata amd Rhapis excelsa are particularly prone to Fe deficiency induced by high soil pH.

Diagnostic Techniques

Visual symptoms are very similar to those of sulfur (S) deficiency, thus leaf analysis would seem to be helpful in distinguishing between the two disorders. Unfortunately, leaf Fe concentrations often show little or no relation to Fe chlorosis severity and is therefore not a reliable indicator of plant Fe status. Soil analysis is not recommended for similar reasons.

Management

Iron deficiency is best prevented by planting palms no deeper than they were originally growing and by planting in a well-drained soil or site. For container production, it is important that organic components used in potting substrates not only be well aerated initially, but they should also be highly resistant to degradation so that good soil aeration is maintained throughout the production cycle of the plant. Although treatment with Fe fertilizers can help Fe deficient palms recover, long-term recovery usually requires correction of the cultural problem that caused it in the first place.

Container-grown palms suffering from substrate degradation are best treated by removing the degraded substrate and repotting in fresh substrate. Palms planted too deeply should be dug up and replanted at the proper depth. Palms suffering from high concentrations of other heavy metals can be treated with the Fe fertilizers listed below. Unlike most other nutrient deficiencies, Fe-deficient chlorotic leaf tissue can regain its normal green color if effectively treated.

Soil applications of iron sulfate are generally less effective than some of the chelated compounds such as FeDTPA, FeEDDHA, or FeHEEDTA since free Fe⁺⁺ ions are rapidly oxidized under most soil conditions to the insoluble Fe⁺⁺⁺ form. On alkaline soils FeEDDHA is the most effective product, followed by FeHEEDTA and FeDTPA. FeDTPA is the most effective product for foliar application, but it is important to note that all of these chelates can be phytotoxic to palms and other plants when applied at high rates (Figure 6). Follow application guidelines on the label for these products. Most Fe fertilizers cause brown staining, so care must be taken to keep them away from non-target objects.

Selected References

Broschat, T. K. 1984. "Nutrient deficiency symptoms in five species of palms grown as foliage plants." Principes 28:6–14.

Broschat, T. K., and H. Donselman. 1985. "Causes of palm nutritional disorders." Proc. Fla. St. Hort. Soc. 98:101–102.

Bull, R. A. 1961. "Studies on the deficiency diseases of the oil palm. 3. Micronutrient deficiency symptoms in oil palm seedlings grown in sand culture." J. West African Inst. Oil Palm Res. 3:265–272.

Chase, A.R. 1984. Influence of foliar applications of micronutrients and fungicides on foliar necrosis and leaf spot diseases of Chrysalidocarpus lutescens. Plant Disease 68:195–197.