Analytical technologies to study the biological and environmental implications of iron-fertilisation using synthetic ferric chelates: The case of Fe(III)-EDDHA - A review

Abstract

The most commonly used and efficient compound for iron (Fe)-fertilisation of fruit crops grown in calcareous soils is the synthetic Fe(III)-chelate of ethylenediamine-N,N'-di-(ortho-hydroxyphenyl) acetic acid, usually known as Fe(III)-o,o-EDDHA. However, the mechanism(s) of plant Fe uptake from this compound, and the environmental implications of its use, are still not completely understood. This lack of information is due, in part, to the lack of suitable analytical methods capable of determining the very low concentrations of this Fe(III)-chelate which may occur in complex matrices such as plant tissues and fluids after Fe-fertilisation. In this report, the main issues for studies on the biological and environmental implications of fertilisation with synthetic Fe(III)-chelates are discussed, focussing on new possibilities offered by recently developed analytical technologies.