Which plants can be used as indicator plants to identify potential iron (Fe) deficiency in soil?

✅Explanation:
Each of the plants listed — sorghum, sugarcane, and citrus — can act as indicator plants to identify potential iron (Fe) deficiency in soil. These plants are sensitive to iron availability, and their symptoms can help diagnose iron deficiency in soil.

• Sorghum:
-Sorghum is known to show distinct chlorosis (yellowing of leaves) when iron is deficient in the soil. It typically exhibits interveinal chlorosis, where the tissue between the veins turns yellow while the veins remain green. This is a typical symptom of iron deficiency in many plants.

• Sugarcane:
-Sugarcane is another plant that can indicate iron deficiency. It shows similar chlorosis symptoms, particularly in younger leaves. The leaves may turn yellow, and the plant's growth may become stunted under iron-deficient conditions.

• Citrus:
-Citrus plants are highly susceptible to iron deficiency, which leads to interveinal chlorosis. This is particularly noticeable on younger leaves. Iron chlorosis in citrus is common in high pH soils where iron becomes less available to the plant.

🛑 Additional Information::
-Iron deficiency often occurs in alkaline soils or calcareous soils, where iron is not readily available to plants.
-Regular soil testing for iron and adjusting pH or using iron chelates or foliar sprays can help prevent deficiencies.

• Other Indicator Plants:

• Besides the mentioned options, other plants commonly used as iron deficiency indicators include:
-Corn (maize)
-Soybeans
-Ornamental plants (e.g., roses, azaleas)

• Iron Deficiency Symptoms:

• The most common visual symptom of iron deficiency in plants is iron chlorosis, characterized by:
-Yellowing of leaves, typically starting between the veins while the veins remain green.
-Younger leaves are often affected first.
-Stunted growth may also occur in severe cases.