RELATIONSHIP OF IRON-MANGANESE TOXICITY DISORDER IN MARIGOLD TO MANGANESE AND MAGNESIUM NUTRITION

The iron-manganese (Fe-Mn) disorder in marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) is related to high Mn and low magnesium (Mg) in leaves. Three solution-culture experiments with marigold were conducted in a greenhouse. One investigated Mn and the disorder. Based on dry matter production, 4.5 mg Mn/L was the toxicity concentration and gave 880 mg Mn g(-1) dry weight in new leaves and 1200 in old leaves. Manganese above 4.5 mg L-1 produced bronzed speckles on leaves. A second experiment investigated Mg and the disorder. Based on dry matter production, 10 mg Mg L-1 was the deficiency concentration and gave 1.5% Mg in the shoots. Symptoms of Mg deficiency did not resemble those of the disorder. A third experiment investigated Mn and Mg. Leaf chlorosis appeared at 2.5 mg Mn L-1 with the lowest supply of Mg. These experiments suggest that Mn supply is related to the disorder but increasing Mg does not alleviate the problem.