Delivery systems for agriculture: Fe-EDDHSA/CaCO3 hybrid crystals as adjuvants for prevention of iron chlorosis

Abstract

Fe-EDDHSA/CaCO₃ hybrid crystals are synthesized and tested in vitro to determine their effect in treating iron chlorosis in kiwifruit plants, used as a proof of concept. Under the alkaline conditions provided by the calcareous substrate, plants release protons that dissolve the hybrids and trigger Fe uptake. These CaCO₃ hybrids represent a new system for active molecule delivery in agriculture.