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Differential Susceptibilities of Weeping Lovegrass Strains to an Iron-related Chlorosis on Calcareous Soils¹

Observations of weeping lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees) strains growing on a calcareous soil at Woodward, Okla., indicated differing degrees of susceptibility to a chlorosis tentatively attributed to Fe deficiency. To test this hypothesis thoroughly, we grew 41 strains in greenhouse pots containing a mixture of calcareous Millville and Quinlan soils, both of which were known to produce Fe-deficiency chlorosis in several crops. The final pH of the mixture was 7.8. Weeping lovegrass strains differed widely in susceptibility to chlorosis and in top growth on the calcareous soil mixture. Chlorosis-susceptible strains had higher Mn concentration and lower Fe:Mn ratios than did the chlorosis-resistant strains. Some chlorosis- susceptible strains seemed to have unfavorable Fe:Cu and Fe:Zn ratios. Differential chlorosis was not directly related to concentrations of Fe, P, Zn or Cu in plant tops. Chlorosis susceptibility seems to be related to inhibited Fe metabolism, rather than to reduced Fe uptake by plants. Several experimental strains of weeping lovegrass were far more resistant to Fe deficiency chlorosis than current cultivars used. Results suggest that superior cultivars of this species can be bred for adaptation to calcareous soils in which Fe-deficiency chlorosis is a problem.

Key Words: Fe-deficiency chlorosis • A1 toxicity • Mn toxicity • Heavy metals • Low pH tolerance • High pH tolerance • Breeding Fe-efficient plant varieties • Acid mine spoils • Cation imbalance

² Soil scientist, Plant Stress Laboratory, ARS-USDA, Beltsville, Md.; Research geneticist, Grassland-Forage Research Center, ARS-USDA, Temple, Tex.; and agronomist, Plant Stress Laboratory, ARS-USDA, Beltsville, Md., respectively.

Received for publication October 8, 1976.