Seedlings of blackgram, greengram, groundnut, pigeonpea and soyabean grown without or with HCO−3, in a sand culture produced short plants with less number of leaves and leaf area, and reduced root volume. Symptoms of Fe chlorosis with less chlorophyll and Fe concentrations in the plant were visible. However the specific leaf weight was increased by HCO−3. The Mn/Fe ratio increased due to HCO−3 by taking up more of Mn than Fe showing an antagonistic effect in all five food legumes tested in general.
