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Iron chlorosis on pineapple is a high-pH problem, not a soil-supply problem. Iron is abundant in most soils but locked up above pH 6.5, particularly on coral, calcareous, and over-limed blocks. The signature is yellow young leaves with green veins in the center whorl. Regional priority: High on coral, calcareous, and over-limed soils; common on Cayenne and Josapine grown on limestone-influenced land.

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When pineapple is most vulnerable

At all phases if soil pH is high. Most visible in the fastest-growing months (early to late vegetative) when new leaf demand for iron is highest.

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How iron deficiency shows in satellite data

  • NDRE below phase baseline on affected zones - iron chlorosis depletes chlorophyll in young leaves directly.
  • Pattern often matches known calcareous or high-pH zones (mapped soil zones or spot-lime history).
  • Distinguish from N deficiency by the young-leaf pattern in the field; satellite alone cannot separate them.

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Field symptoms

  • Center whorl and young leaves pale yellow with distinct green veins (interveinal chlorosis)
  • Older leaves remain green (iron is immobile in the plant)
  • Small, distorted new growth if deficiency is severe
  • Stunted plants in chronic cases
  • Symptoms disappear from newest leaves within 2 to 3 weeks of foliar chelated iron

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Reduce the damage by

  • Foliar chelated iron (Fe-EDDHA or Fe-DTPA) for fast correction - repeat every 3 to 4 weeks until new growth is green.
  • Acidify the root zone with ammonium sulphate rather than urea; over time, lowers pH.
  • Avoid over-liming - do not raise pH above 6.0 on pineapple blocks.
  • Apply elemental sulfur on high-pH blocks to gradually acidify.
  • Avoid alkaline irrigation water or acidify it if unavoidable.
  • Do not use ferrous sulphate as a soil amendment on high-pH soils - it re-precipitates within days. Chelates are required.
  • Soil pH test every cycle on calcareous blocks; target pH 5.0 to 5.5.

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Set an alert for early warning

Turn the diagnosis into a trigger. Iron chlorosis is stable and pH-driven, so schedule pH and foliar reminders rather than event alerts.
Recommended settings for iron on pineapple:
  • NDRE anomaly alert - trigger on persistent (> 30 days) NDRE anomaly in a specific zone.
  • Soil pH reminder - annual check on calcareous or over-limed blocks.
  • Foliar-application follow-up - schedule a re-check 3 weeks after every chelated iron spray.