Iron (Fe)

Iron is absorbed as ferrous++ and not ferric+++ions. It is the slowest of all foliar nutrients to be absorbed, taking ten to twenty days for fifty percent uptake. Iron is immobile and is required for synthesis of chlorophyll, but not part of the molecule. Iron is a very important part of the terminal respiration system. Since iron is immobile, deficiency is usually most pronounced on new growth.

Deficiency of iron is one of the most common and conspicuous micronutrient deficiencies of trees, occurring in high pH soils and/or the presence of bicarbonates in the soil. Symptoms of iron deficiency are: interveinal chlorosis of young leaves. Veins remain green except in severe cases. Twig dieback.

In animals, iron is essential for hemoglobin formation. Iron is essential in oxygen transfer, in cell respiration. Aids in blood cell development, and in the prevention of anemia.

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