Phytosiderophores revisited: 2′-deoxymugineic acid-mediated iron uptake triggers nitrogen assimilation in rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings

Figures & data

Figure 1. Supplementation with DMA significantly promotes the growth of rice seedlings. Fe that is assimilated in root as a complex with DMA is readily transported to aerial parts and contributes to the increase in SPAD values. Exogenous DMA supplementation contributes to increased levels of Fe and SPAD values in rice tissues through up-regulation of Fe assimilation. Because of sufficient levels of Fe within rice tissues, the treatment consequently triggers down-regulation of Fe assimilation including NAS1 and 2. While the treatment triggers down-regulation of Fe assimilation-related genes NAS1 and 2 as a consequence of the sufficient levels of Fe in rice tissues, the increased availability of Fe allows rice seedlings to maximize the rate of photosynthesis as well as nitrate assimilation by up-regulating NRT2 and other nitrate assimilation-related genes as well as NR activity that all collectively contribute to increased biomass and productivity of rice plants.