Iron nutrition in plants: A world overview

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Abstract
Fe‐deficiency chlorosis has been recognized since 1844 (Gris) and was the first plant nutrient deficiency to be investigated. It is a reflection of the continuing importance of iron nutrition problems in major crops worldwide that anybody interested in any aspect of plant nutrition cannot but be aware of them, whether as Fe‐deficiency or Fe‐toxicity. This paper does not purport to be a review, but rather attempts to sketch in the dimensions of the problem. Iron, as the element, is seldom deficient as it comprises 4.2% of the earth's crust, the fourth most abundant element, and commonly occurs as 2–6% Fe203 in temperate soils, increasing to as much as 60% Fe2O3 for certain tropical Ferralsols (Bould, 1963). Therefore, iron deficiency and toxicity are functions of the whole soil system and its effect on the availability of iron to the plant, and an understanding of this is essential to an appreciation of the problems.