ASHS 2015 Annual Conference

Iron (Fe) is an essential plant nutrient and involved in biosynthesis and functional maintenance of chlorophyll in plants. Many plant species suffer from iron chlorosis, causing millions of dollars loss yearly. Meanwhile, iron is an essential nutrient for human beings and iron deficiency leads to the major human nutritional disorder of anemia, particularly in populations of children and women. Raspberry is one of the woody species that are prone to iron chlorosis. In this study, responses of red and purple raspberry cultivars to high pH and iron deficient conditions in a hydroponic culture were evaluated. Preliminary results showed that iron chlorosis symptom was induced at 5–14 days after iron deficiency treatment. Differences in response to iron deficiency (days to show the symptom and chlorosis severity) in raspberry cultivars were observed. All tested raspberry plants were recovered from chlorosis in two weeks after full strength of iron was added to the culture solution. Differences in physiological parameters including leaf dry matter content (DMC), content of chlorophyll and carotenoids, Chl a/b ratio, and the content of Fe and other elements under iron deficiency and high pH conditions in different raspberry cultivars are being analyzed. The study would provide useful information on differential response of raspberry cultivars in response to iron deficiency and high pH conditions and further help select and develop iron chlorosis tolerant materials in raspberry and other Rubus species.