Research Article 
Organic Iron-fertilizers from Hornbeam-leaves, Outer Rice-husks and Charcoal
Journal of Applied Sciences, 2006, 6(3), 673-677.
Abstract
The aim of present study was to optimise the effectiveness of inorganic iron fertilizers by enhancement with amply existing natural organic substances. For this purpose, hornbeam-leaves and outer rice-husks were incubated with increasing quantities of iron-sulphate and plant-available and total iron measured. Additionally, we examined, whether the iron-fertilizer-effect can be increased by addition of charcoal. Present study shows that hornbeam-leaves plus 6.4% iron-sulphate and outer rice-husks plus 5% iron-sulphate yield the best expenses-benefit-relationship. The iron-availability to plants of rotting hornbeam-leaves could be increased by factors of 14 (6.4% FeSO4) and 24 (64% FeSO4 plus 5% char), while the excellent iron-availability of outer rice-husks (84.7%) could not be further increased. With respect to both ecological and economic benefits, the best iron-organic fertilizers can be obtained using hornbeam-leaves plus 6.4% FeSO4 and outer rice-husks plus 5% FeSO4. In both cases an organic iron fertilizer with 0.6% plant-available iron can be obtained.
ASCI-ID: 35-1140