The susceptibility of seven African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cultivars
to iron toxicity was assessed. Plants were grown in a greenhouse in a soill
ess medium and Fe-DTPA was incorporated into the nutrient solution at eithe
r 0.018 mmol.L-1 (low) or 0.36 mmol.L-1 (high). Symptoms of Fe toxicity (br
onze speckle disorder in marigold characterized by chlorotic and necrotic s
peckling and downward leaf cupping and curling) developed only in the high-
Fe treatment. The concentration of Fe in leaves in the high-Fe treatment wa
s 5.6 and 1.7 times as great as in the low-Fe treatment for 'Orange Jubilee
' and 'Discovery Orange', respectively. Based upon the percentage of plants
affected and leaf symptom severity, relative cultivar susceptibility to Fe
toxicity was Orange Jubilee > First Lady > Orange Lady > Yellow Galore > G
old Lady > Marvel Gold > Discovery Orange. Chemical names used: ferric diet
hylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, disodium salt dihydrate (Fe-DTPA).