Characterising Lime Induced Chlorosis of Sugarcane

Chlorotic sugarcane plants grown in shallow black soil contained, contrary to expectation, higher amount of iron than normal plants. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium also accumulated in higher amounts but manganese content was low. The higher protein content in chlorotic plants was accompanied with reduced sugar synthesis and storage. A wider Fe to Mn ratio was observed in all the tissues of chlorotic plants, whereas P to Fe and K to Ca ratios were inconsistent. The wider Fe to Mn ratio which was consistent in all tissues can be taken as an index for diagnosing lime iuduced chlorosis.