DIFFERENTIAL RESPONSE OF FOLIAGE PLANTS TO IRON-DEFICIENCY

Eight species of tropical foliage plants were screened to determine their response to Fe-stress conditions. Plants were grown for 120 days in modified Hoaglands nutrient solution at pH 6.3 containing either 0, 0.22 or 5.52 mg/liter Fe (as Fe+3-HEEDTA). Araucaria heterophylia and Dracaena marginata showed leaf chlorosis and decreased growth at 0 and 0.22 mg/liter Fe. Ficus benjamina and Nephroiepis exaltata Bostoniensis showed little or no chlorosis or growth differences at either 0 or 0.22 mg/liter Fe. Over a 3 week period, F. benjamina and N. exaltata Bostoniensis decreased nutrient solution pH approximately 1 to 1.5 units lower than either D. marginata or A. heterophylia at all Fe levels. Codiaeum variegatum var. pictum, Dieffenbachia macu/ata Camille, Epipremnum aureum, and Philodendron scandens oxycardium were intermediate in growth, chlorosis and lowering of the nutrient solution pH. One explanation for the differential Fe response between these species may be their ability to lower pH of the rhizosphere. 1987, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

DIFFERENTIAL RESPONSE OF FOLIAGE PLANTS TO IRON-DEFICIENCY Academic Article