The Relation between Iron and Chlorophyll Contents in Chlorotic Sunflower Leaves

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Abstract
If the Fe supply for sunflower plants is maintained at a relatively uniform rate, good correlations between Fe and chlorophyll contents in the leaves are found. It plants are subjected to a preliminary period of Fe deficiency, then no correlation between Fe and chlorophyll contents is found when the Fe supply subsequently becomes adequate. Chlorosis, caused by Fe deficiency, tends to be irreversible so recovery is not complete even when large amounts of Fe enter the chlorotic leaf. In addition, excessive amounts of Fe are accumulated by Fe-de-ficient sunflower plants upon restoration of the Fe supply. It is suggested that chlorosis is initially caused by a simple deficiency of Fe but under some conditions, e.g., a fluctuating rate of Fe supply, subsequent correlations between Fe and chlorophyll contents may be obscured because of effects related to the de-ficiency.