Factors related to iron uptake by dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous plants III. Competition between root and external factors for Fe

Abstract

In comparison studies (11, 12), monocotyledonous corn (Zea mays L.) and oats (Avena byzantina C. Koch) did not respond to Fe stress as effectively nor to the same degree as the dicotyledonous soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) or tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Both the Fe‐inefficient and Fe‐efficient corn and oats developed Fe chlorosis; the Fe‐efficient dicotyledonous plants were green. In the present study, the method of inducing Fe stress was changed to make it less severe. Instead of using only NO₃‐N and no Fe to induce Fe stress (11, 12), both NH₄‐N and NO₃‐N were used along with varied concentrations of Fe. Iron stress was induced with BPDS (4,7‐diphenyl‐l, 10‐phenan‐throline disulfonic acid) and phosphate; both competed with the plant for Fe. Phosphate also inhibits reduction of Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺ (12). This method of inducing Fe stress in the plants was less severe than using only NO₃‐N and no Fe in the nutrient solutions and we were able to measure a difference in Fe‐stress response for all four plant species (Fe‐inefficient and Fe‐efficient). At the lower Fe treatments, the roots of Fe‐efficient plants usually reduced more Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺ than did the roots of Fe‐inefficient plants. The ‘inefficient’ ys₁ corn and TAM 0–312 oat roots did not compete with BPDS or phosphate for Fe as effectively as did the ‘efficient’ WF9 corn and Coker 227 oat roots. The same type mechanism for solubilization, absorption, and transport of Fe seems to function in both monocotyledenous and dicotyledenous plants but it is more effective and more readily detected in the dicot than in the monocot plants. The reactions involved in reduction of Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺ seemed to be confined inside or at the root surface for the inefficient genotypes; the efficient genotypes alter the ambient medium to a greater degree.

Key words:

• Iron stress response
• Fe chlorosis
• Reduction of Fe³⁺ by roots
• Reductant released by roots
• Competition for Fe at root
• Phosphate induced Fe chlorosis