Ferric reduction by foots of chlorotic bean plants: Indications for an enzymatic process

Abstract

Reduction of chelated ferric ions by the roots of iron‐stressed bean plants showed kinetics characteristic for reactions catalyzed by matrix‐bound enzymes. Assays for iron reducing compounds in the medium in which those plants had been standing for 1 day failed to yield indications for soluble reductants produced by iron‐stressed plants. The results suggest that the capacity to reduce chelated iron by the roots of iron‐stressed bean plants is due to a mambranebound enzyme in the root cortex.

Key words:

• Iron deficiency
• chlorosis
• ferric reduction