The problem of iron deficiency and sorghum. Severe iron deficiency can result in plant mortality and significant yield reductions.
Iron deficiency is especially prevalent in alkaline or calcareous soils.
Iron chlorosis can also be associated with wet or water-logged conditions, and is often more prevalent during wet and cold weather. Sorghum in the Coastal Bend and High Plains regions is especially susceptible to iron deficiency. Also, high soil phosphate levels can sometimes result in an increased incidence of iron chlorosis. The use of soil and foliarly applied iron amendments are largely ineffective and in most cases not economically reasonable. The relative iron-deficiency stress tolerance of sorghum differs considerably among cultivars.