Iron (Ferrous) EDTA Chelated 12% – Uses, Dosage & Application

Iron (Ferrous) EDTA Chelated 12% is a fully water-soluble, chelated micronutrient fertilizer registered for use in India under the Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985 (FCO) — a plant-nutrition product, not a crop-protection one. Iron is essential for chlorophyll synthesis and several enzyme systems, and its deficiency — commonly called "lime-induced chlorosis" — is widespread on the alkaline, calcareous soils found across parts of Punjab and North India, where iron becomes chemically fixed and unavailable to roots even when total soil iron is adequate. Dosage guidance on this page draws on Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Package of Practices and ICAR research on iron chlorosis correction, read alongside the product's own FCO label application rate for this specific chelated formulation.

Which Deficiency Symptom Is This For? (Symptom Guide)

Not sure whether what you're seeing in the field is iron deficiency? This guide helps match the visible symptom to the crop before deciding on a spray.

Mode of Action

Ferrous EDTA is a chelated form of iron in which the iron ion is held within an EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) molecule, keeping it in a soluble, plant-available form. This matters because iron reacts readily with soil carbonates and hydroxides in alkaline/calcareous soils, converting to insoluble forms that plant roots cannot take up — the underlying cause of lime-induced chlorosis. Once absorbed by the leaf (in a foliar spray) or root, iron is a key component of enzymes involved in electron transport and is essential for chlorophyll synthesis, which is why deficiency shows up first as yellowing of the youngest leaves. Because chelation protects the iron ion from being locked up in the soil, foliar-applied chelated iron gives a faster, more reliable correction on calcareous soils than untreated ferrous sulphate.

Features & Benefits

• Fully water-soluble, 100% chelated iron source that stays plant-available on alkaline/calcareous soils where ferrous sulphate is quickly fixed.
• Corrects lime-induced chlorosis in groundnut and citrus, iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) in soybean, and interveinal chlorosis in paddy and wheat.
• Fast foliar greening response, since chlorophyll synthesis resumes quickly once available iron reaches the leaf.
• Lower use-rate per litre than ferrous sulphate, since the chelated form is absorbed more efficiently and is not degraded by soil pH the way soil-applied sulphate can be.
• Compatible with most common fertilizers and crop-protection products in a tank mix (a jar-compatibility test is still recommended before mixing).

Recommended Usage of Iron (Ferrous) EDTA Chelated 12% Fertilizer

ICAR and PAU research on lime-induced chlorosis in groundnut and other crops generally recommends repeated foliar sprays of an iron source at a percentage concentration rather than a single per-hectare soil dose, since foliar correction acts faster and avoids the rapid fixation iron undergoes in calcareous soil. The table below gives the chelated EDTA form's dose per this product's FCO label, which is lower than the ferrous sulphate concentration typically cited in older literature because the chelate is more efficiently absorbed.

Doses above are expressed as a percentage/concentration rather than a per-acre quantity because chelated micronutrient foliar sprays are dosed by the concentration of the spray solution, not by land area — this is the standard way PAU/ICAR and FCO product labels present chelated micronutrient rates. Always confirm the current product label before use and consult your local agricultural extension office for soil-test-based recommendations.

How to Use

1. Confirm iron deficiency symptoms against the Symptom Guide above — iron chlorosis shows first on the youngest leaves, unlike some other micronutrient deficiencies, which helps distinguish it in the field.
2. Dissolve the required quantity of Iron (Ferrous) EDTA Chelated 12% fully in a small amount of water first, then add it to the spray tank and top up to the required volume while stirring.
3. Spray using a knapsack or power sprayer fitted with a flat-fan or fine mist nozzle, ensuring uniform coverage of the newest leaves/flush, where iron deficiency shows up first.
4. Spray during the early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation and improve leaf uptake; avoid spraying in strong sunlight or just before rain.
5. Repeat the spray at the interval given in the table above if new growth continues to show chlorosis, since chelated iron corrects existing yellow leaves only partially — new growth needs its own coverage.

Precautions & Safety

• Wear basic protective clothing and gloves while mixing and spraying, as a routine precaution for any agricultural input.
• Do not exceed the recommended concentration — spraying iron at a higher-than-labelled concentration can cause leaf scorch rather than faster correction.
• Iron sprays can leave a light rust-coloured residue on leaves/fruit at higher concentrations; test on a small area first on ornamental or fruiting crops where cosmetic appearance matters.
• Store in the original, tightly closed container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, food, feed and out of reach of children and livestock.
• This foliar fertilizer is a supplement to, not a replacement for, balanced soil fertilization — follow your local agricultural extension advice on fitting it into your overall soil-nutrition programme, especially on strongly calcareous soils where repeat sprays are usually needed every season.
• Wash hands, face and any exposed skin thoroughly with soap and water after handling or spraying.

Brand names mentioned on this page are registered trademarks of their respective owners and are referenced here for identification purposes only; FarmMate is not affiliated with or endorsed by these brands. This page is for general information only — always consult your local agricultural extension office and confirm the current product label before use.