Relative susceptibility of high yielding hybrids of sorghum and pearl millet to iron deficiency

Study was made on growth, chlorophyll content and iron (⁵⁹Fe) absorption of each of high yielding varieties CSH. 1 of sorgum Sorghum vulgare Pers.) and HB. 1 of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides Burn, f.) raised at four levels (0.01, 0.05, 0.10 and 0.50 mmoles/L) of iron in reined sand culture. The severity of visual symptoms of iron deficiency and depression in chlorophyll content and dry matter yield of the two hybrids revealed that sorghum has a higher requirement of iron and is more susceptible to iron deficiency than pearl millet. At an iron supply of 0.1 m moles/L pearl millet showed apparently normal growth, but sorghum developed iron deficiency during seedling stage. Measurement of iron (⁵⁹Fe) uptake by the two hybrids that pearl millet is more efficient in absorption of iron and its translocation from roots to shoots than sorghum.