Evaluating the photodegradation of iron chelates: BHH/Fe3+ as an alternative to persistent iron fertilizers

Aminopolycarboxylic acids (APCAs) are widely used as chelating agents in agriculture to address iron (Fe) deficiency. However, the environmental concern of the most common APCAs, such as EDTA, has prompted the search for more sustainable alternative molecules. In this sense, the benzeneacetic acid 2-hydroxy-α-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino] (BHH) has been presented as a novel chelating agent for Fe fertilization. This study investigates the photodegradation behavior of BBH Fe chelate, and compares it to