Overcoming Mn-induced chlorosis in sugarcane seedlings by iron

Background Manganese (Mn) toxicity induces severe seedling chlorosis and growth inhibition in sugarcane cultivated on acidic soils, yet the mechanisms driving seasonal recovery and scalable mitigation strategies remain poorly defined. This study aimed to elucidate the role of iron (Fe) deposition from rainwater in natural greening and validate foliar Fe supplementation as an efficient countermeasure. Methods We integrated field monitoring across 78 sites, phenological tracking of seasonal recovery, molecular analyses of chlorophyll biosynthesis pathways, and validation experiments (hydroponic and field trials) to investigate Fe-mediated Mn toxicity alleviation. Key metrics included leaf chlorophyll/Fe correlations, gene expression patterns, and agronomic responses to Fe treatments. Results Field data revealed a strong positive correlation between leaf chlorophyll content and foliar Fe levels (r=0.82, p