Physiological responses of wheat genotypes grown in chelator-buffered nutrient solutions with increasing concentrations of excess HEDTA

The chelator-buffered nutrient solutions containing excess chelator have been used frequently in the micronutrient research, but potential toxicity of the excess chelator has not been ascertained. The present study was conducted to test effects of four concentrations of excess HEDTA N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenedinitrilotriacetic acid] and two levels of total Zn on growth, root exudation, and nutrient uptake and transport by Triticum aestivum L. (cv. Aroona) and Triticum turgidum L. conv. durum (Desf.) MacKey (cv. Durati) genotypes differing in tolerance to Zn deficiency. Excess HEDTA at 50 μM reduced root and shoot growth and caused visual toxicity symptoms (necrotic lesions) on leaves; these effects were generally absent at lower concentrations of excess HEDTA. Root exudation of phytosiderophores increased with increasing concentrations of excess HEDTA at deficient and sufficient Zn levels, and was higher in Zn-deficiency-tolerant Aroona than in Zn-deficiency-sensitive Durati wheat. Shoot and root Zn concentrations showed a saturable response to increasing Zn²⁺ activities in solution. Excess HEDTA at 50 μM caused an increase in shoot concentrations of Fe and a decrease in concentrations of Mn and Cu. An average rate of Zn uptake increased with an increase in Zn²⁺ ionic activity in solution, with Zn-deficiency-tolerant Aroona having a higher rate of Zn uptake than Zn-deficiency-sensitive Durati in the deficiency range of Zn²⁺ activities. Average uptake rates of Mn and Cu decreased with an increase in concentration of excess HEDTA. Similar observations were noted for transport of Mn and Cu to shoots, while Zn transport to shoots was proportional to Zn²⁺ activities in solution. It was concluded that excess HEDTA at 50 μM adversely affects wheat growth and physiology, while excess of 25 μM or less does not cause measurable toxicity. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.