The effect of high pH and P on the development of lime-chlorosis in two seedling populations ofEucalyptus obliqua L'Hérit

Summary Glasshouse experiments have shown that the application of an acidulating agent to a calcareous soil can increase growth and alleviate severe chlorosis in an acidic population ofE. obliqua. In contrast, a calcareous population showed only a slight response to this treatment and maintained adequate growth and a low frequency of chlorosis on both control and treated calcareous soils. Foliar analyses of seedlings of the acidic population showed that alleviation of chlorosis was concomitant with a reduction in the levels of P, Ca and K, and an increase in uptake of Fe. However, the total Fe content of foliage was poorly correlated with the occurrence of severe chlorosis. Although this evidence suggested that the differential susceptibility ofE. obliqua to lime-chlorosis can be reduced by increasing the availability of Fe, the greater concentration of Fe in chlorotic seedlings indicated that lime-chlorosis may also be due to an inactivation of Fe within the plant (i.e. by P). This hypothesis was partly confirmed by a water culture experiment which showed that a combination of relatively high pH and high external levels of P could induce severe chlorosis in seedlings of the acidic population. In contrast, it appears that the calcareous population has a more efficient mechanism for absorbing Fe and holding it in an available form, even when external concentrations of P are high. It is suggested that plants which have an efficient mechanism for the uptake of Fe at relatively high pH and are less susceptible to the detrimental effects of P have been selected for on these alkaline calcareous soils.     

Differential susceptibility of two populations of Eucalyptus viminalis labill. to iron chlorosis

Summary In comparing two populations of E. viminalis observations indicated that plants of a calcareous population (i) showed a greater yield at high pH, and when subjected to Fe-stress, (ii) took longer to develop chlorosis, (iii) more quickly developed new roots, and (iv) were capable of removing more Fe from solution than were plants of an acid population. Some Fe-stressed plants also appeared to be able to reduce Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺, but population differences have not yet been clearly established. Plants from an acidic population accumulated very high levels of P in leaves when grown in alkaline solutions and, consequently, exhibited high P/Fe ratios, chlorosis, and symptoms of P toxicity.     

Selection of olive varieties for tolerance to iron chlorosis

Under certain conditions, olive trees grown on calcareous soils suffer from iron chlorosis. In the present study several olive varieties and scion-rootstock combinations were evaluated for their tolerance to iron chlorosis. Plants were grown over several months in pots with a calcareous soil, under two fertilization treatments. These consisted of periodic applications of nutrient solutions containing either, 30 μmol/L FeEDDHA or not Fe. Tolerance was assessed by the chlorosis and growth parameters of plants grown without Fe, compared to those plants grown with Fe. Results show that there are differences in tolerance among olive varieties and that tolerance is mainly determined by the genotype of the rootstock. These results open the way to use tolerant varieties for those conditions where iron chlorosis could become a problem.     

The effect of soil moisture on the tolerance of Lupinus pilosus genotypes to a calcareous soil

Commercial narrow-leafed lupins (Lupinus angustifolius L.) grown on calcareous soils commonly display chlorotic symptoms resembling Fe deficiency. The severity of chlorosis increases with concurrent increases in soil moisture content. Our research has indicated that the rough-seeded lupin species, Lupinus pilosus Murr., has a range of adaptation to calcareous soils, from tolerant to intolerant. A pot experiment was conducted comparing a tolerant, a moderately tolerant and a moderately intolerant genotype of L. pilosus. Plants were grown for 35 days in a calcareous soil (50% CaCO₃) at three moisture contents (80%, 100% and 120% of field capacity); the growth was compared with that on a fertile black cracking clay control soil at 70% of field capacity. Visual chlorosis score, chlorophyll meter readings, number of leaves and shoot dry weights were recorded at 14, 21, 28 and 35 days after sowing. Concentrations of chlorophyll, active Fe and nutrients in the youngest fully expanded leaves were also measured. Results showed that increased soil moisture increased the severity of chlorotic symptoms (increased chlorosis score) in all genotypes. The tolerant genotype showed significantly less symptoms than other genotypes at all moisture contents. All genotypes were able to recover from chlorosis symptoms at 80% moisture in the calcareous soil. Chlorosis score negatively correlated with chlorophyll meter readings, chlorophyll concentration and foliar active and total Fe, and Mn concentrations. Visual chlorosis score appeared to be a cost effective, accurate and efficient method enabling classification of the tolerance of genotypes. The chlorotic symptoms were likely to be due to HCO₃ ^- induced nutrient deficiencies or a direct effect of HCO₃ ^- on chlorophyll synthesis. This study indicates that the most probable mechanism of tolerance is related to an ability to prevent uptake of HCO₃ ^- or efficiently sequester it once inside the root which prevents increases in internal pH and transport to the shoots.     

Iron availability in plant tissues-iron chlorosis on calcareous soils

The article describes factors and processes which lead to Fe chlorosis (lime chlorosis) in plants grown on calcareous soils. Such soils may contain high HCO₃ ^- concentrations in their soil solution, they are characterized by a high pH, and they rather tend to accumulate nitrate than ammonium because due to the high pH level ammonium nitrogen is rapidly nitrified and/or even may escape in form of volatile NH₃. Hence in these soils plant roots may be exposed to high nitrate and high bicarbonate concentrations. Both anion species are involved in the induction of Fe chlorosis.Physiological processes involved in Fe chlorosis occur in the roots and in the leaves. Even on calcareous soils and even in plants with chlorosis the Fe concentration in the roots is several times higher than the Fe concentration in the leaves. This shows that the Fe availability in the soil is not the critical process leading to chlorosis but rather the Fe uptake from the root apoplast into the cytosol of root cells. This situation applies to dicots as well as to monocots. Iron transport across the plasmamembrane is initiated by Fe^III reduction brought about by a plasmalemma located Fe^III reductase. Its activity is pH dependent and at alkaline pH supposed to be much depressed. Bicarbonate present in the root apoplast will neutralize the protons pumped out of the cytosol and together with nitrate which is taken up by a H⁺/nitrate cotransport high pH levels are provided which hamper or even block the Fe^III reduction.Frequently chlorotic leaves have higher Fe concentrations than green ones which phenomenon shows that chlorosis on calcareous soils is not only related to Fe uptake by roots and Fe translocation from the roots to the upper plant parts but also dependent on the efficiency of Fe in the leaves. It is hypothesized that also in the leaves Fe^III reduction and Fe uptake from the apoplast into the cytosol is affected by nitrate and bicarbonate in an analogous way as this is the case in the roots. This assumption was confirmed by the highly significant negative correlation between the leaf apoplast pH and the degree of iron chlorosis measured as leaf chlorophyll concentration. Depressing leaf apoplast pH by simply spraying chlorotic leaves with an acid led to a regreening of the leaves.     

Development of leaf water deficits in detached green and lime-chlorotic leaves of seedlings from populations ofEucalyptus obliqua L'Hérit

Summary The water relations of three populations ofEucalyptus obliqua affected by limechlorosis were studied by monitoring water loss of leaves detached from seedlings. Water was lost faster from chlorotic leaves than from green leaves of the same population; the rate of water loss was inversely propotional to the chlorophyll content. Although chlorophyll content may affect stomatal behaviour, the water loss curves were interpreted as indicating that cuticular aspects of leaf water retention were severely affected.These findings concur with recent observations of severe water stress in chlorotic plants growing on calcareous soils in the Cape Otway region. Moreover, it appears that the greater susceptibility of the acidic population to lime-chlorosis compared with that of the calcareous population would be a considerable disadvantage when growing on a calcareous site subjected to periodic droughts.     

Differences in responses to iron deficiency among various cultivars of mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek)

Ten mungbean cultivars were evaluated for their resistance to iron deficiency in view of chlorosis symptoms, plant growth and seed yield under field conditions on a calcareous soil in Thailand. The KPS2 cultivar was highly susceptible; the KPS1, PSU1 and Pag-asa 1 cultivars were somewhat susceptible; the VC1163B cultivar was moderately tolerant; the CN36, CN60, UT1 and CNM-I cultivars were tolerant; and the CNM8509B cultivar was very tolerant to iron deficiency. Foliar application of a solution of 5 g L^-1 ferrous sulphate was effective in correcting chlorosis that was induced by iron deficiency, and it enhanced both the growth and the yield of susceptible cultivars. Compared with the susceptible cultivar KPS2, the tolerant cultivar UT1 had a greater ability to lower the pH of the nutrient solution in response to iron deficiency. The root-associated Fe³⁺-reduction activity of UT1 that had been grown in -Fe medium was similar to that of the plants grown in +Fe medium when the acidification of the medium occurred. Acidification of the medium in response to iron deficiency might contribute to the efficient solubilization of iron from calcareous soils, and it related more closely to the resistance to iron deficiency than Fe³⁺ reduction by roots in mungbean cultivars.     

Iron deficiency in chickpea in the Mediterranean region and its control through resistant genotypes and nutrient application

Iron-deficiency chlorosis is commonly observed in some genotypes of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in the Mediterranean region of West Asia and North Africa when grown on calcareous soils. An evaluation of 3267 germplasm lines of kabuli-type chickpea for iron-deficiency chlorosis on the calcareous soil (calcium carbonate content 20%, pH8.5) of the principal research station of the International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) at Tel Hadya, northern Syria, revealed that most of the lines were tolerant while only 25 lines showed susceptibility. Foliar spray of 0.5% FeSO₄ at the onset of chlorosis was effective in correcting the symptoms but did not result in significant increase in crop yield.Studies on the inheritance of resistance to iron-deficiency chlorosis revealed that the resistance was dominant and is governed by a single gene.To ensure elimination from the breeding material of chickpea genotypes inefficient in Fe-use on the calcareous soils of the Mediterranean region, a negative selection for Fe-deficiency chlorosis in the segregating populations in the field has proved effective. The method for field screening of large number of breeding lines and germplasm is described.     

石灰性土壤上HCO3-诱导花生缺铁失绿机制

采用土壤-营养液结合的分根培养方法,研究了部分根系供应HCO- 3或铁对花生铁营养的调控及其作用机制。结果表明,对花生部分根系供应HCO- 3或铁可以调控花生的铁营养,仅供HCO- 3可以诱导缺铁,而只供铁能矫正失绿,同时供应HCO- 3和铁时则不引起失绿。在花生新生叶失绿和复绿的过程中,其中的活性铁含量和全铁含量也有相应的消长。当花生表现缺铁失绿症状时,地上各部分的全铁含量显著降低,而土中根的全铁含量不降低、质外体铁含量升高。在HCO- 3存在的条件下,不同部分根系的铁( )还原酶活性因其生长介质而不同,营养液中根系的铁( )还原酶活性降低而土中根的铁( )还原酶活性不受影响。当花生表现缺铁失绿症状时,土壤中HCO- 3含量升高,有效铁含量不高,p H值无变化。因此,本试验证实了石灰性土壤上的高HCO- 3含量,主要是降低了花生地上部的铁含量而引起失绿,而且花生缺铁失绿又导致土壤HCO- 3含量升高     

Immobilization of tissue iron on calcareous soil: differences between calcicole and calcifuge plants

Deficiency of P and sometimes of micronutrients, especially Fe, is of importance to the calcicole–calcifuge behaviour of plants. Calcifuge species are unable to solubilize these elements or keep them metabolically active in sufficient amounts on calcareous soils. To demonstrate if calcicole, calcifuge and ‘soil indifferent’ species differ in Fe nutrition dynamics, samples of such species were transplanted on a slightly acid silicate soil (pH BaCl₂ ca 4.0) and on a calcareous soil (pH BaCl₂ ca 7.2). Plants were grown in a computer‐controlled greenhouse at a soil moisture content of 50–60% water holding capacity and with additional light (ca 160 μE s^?1 m^?2, 12 h d^?1) if ambient light was <120 μE s^?1 m^?2.
The calcifuge species developed chlorosis when grown on the calcareous soil, whereas the other species did not. Calcareous‐soil grown plants had less 1,10‐phenanthroline extractable Fe in their leaf tissues than the silicate‐grown plants whereas total leaf Fe showed more species specific properties. The ratio of 1,10‐phenanthroline extractable to total Fe in the leaves was significantly lower in the calcifuges than in the calcicoles when grown on the calcareous soil. ‘Soil indifferent’ species did not differ much from the calcicoles. Root Fe, fractioned as DCB extractable ‘plaque’ on the root surface and Fe remaining in the root after DCB extraction, showed no distinct pattern of DCB‐Fe related to the different categories, but remaining root Fe tended to be lower in the calcifuges compared to the two other categories. Leaf colour estimated by a colour scale correlated well with chlorophyll a+b content measured in the leaves of two calcifuges. Leaf P concentrations did not differ between the different categories but were more species dependent.
We conclude that chlorosis in calcifuge species is related to an immobilization of Fe in physiologically less active forms in the tissue, if plants are forced to grow on a calcareous soil, whereas calcicole and ‘soil indifferent’ species are able to retain a much higher share of their leaf Fe in metabolically active form. This probably decreases the vitality and may exclude calcifuge plants from calcareous soil. We consider this property, previously almost unconsidered in an ecological context, as important to the calcifuge–calcicole behaviour of plants.     

Effect of the chemical and physical condition of the soil on Verticillium wilt of antirrhinum

Summary In vitro study showed thatVerticillium dahliae Kleb. grew well in a wide range of acid and alkaline media (viz. pH 3.5 to 10.5). The best growth of the fungus was observed in pH 5.5. Soil pH 3.5 was toxic for growing antirrhinum seedlings. Development of Verticillium wilt of antirrhinum was affected by soil pH. The severity of the disease was greater in alkaline soil conditions compared with acid conditions. Soil of pH 3.5 gave very good control of the symptom expression by the infected plants. Rhizosphere analysis results showed that fungal population with the exception ofPenicillium spp., was drastically reduced in the rhizosphere of the plants grown in acid soil. Although the overall population of fungi was reduced in theV. dahliae infected antirrhinum rhizosphere in acid soil, the population ofPenicillium spp. markedly increased. The antagonistic activity of thePenicillium spp. in the rhizosphere might also have reduced the disease severity. Since the seedlings did not grow properly in very dry and very wet soil, rhizosphere analysis of these soils was not possible. Disease severity was much less in wet soil compared with plants grown in medium moisture level and dry soil, but the plant growth was very poor. Dedicated to the memory of the late Prof. H. K. Baruah from whom I had the inspiration for research     

Bicarbonate,the most important factor inducing iron chlorosis in vine grapes on calcareous soil

Summary In pot experiments grape vine was grown on a calcareous and on a non calcareous soil with a low and with a high water saturation. During the growing period soil solution samples were collected and analyzed for their pH and for HCO ₃ ⁻ , phosphate, Fe, and Ca. High water saturation resulted in a pH increase and in an increase of the HCO ₃ ⁻ concentration in both soils. The level in pH and HCO ₃ ⁻ , however, was much higher in the calcareous soil than in the non calcareous soil. The Fe concentration varied much throughout the experimental period, but there was no major differences between soils and water saturation treatments. The Ca concentration of the soil solution increased with time in the calcareous soil; for the non calcareous soil rather the reverse was true. The phosphate level in the soil solution of the non calcareous soil was about 10 times higher than in the calcareous soil. After 3 weeks growth all plants of the calcareous soil with the high water saturation showed first symptoms of Fe deficiency. These became more intense from day to day. Plants of the other treatments did not show any chlorotic symptoms. In the treatment with the chlorotic plants the HCO ₃ ⁻ concentration of the soil solution was the highest, the phosphate concentration the lowest from all treatments. It is therefore concluded that HCO ₃ ⁻ and not phosphate is the primary cause for lime induced Fe chlorosis. Despite the low phosphate concentration in the soil solution, the P concentration in the chlorotic leaves was more than twice as high as the P concentration in green leaves grown on the same soil. It is thus assumed that the high P content frequently found in chlorotic leaves is the result and not the cause for Fe chlorosis.     

Bulk soil pH and rhizosphere pH of peach trees in calcareous and alkaline soils as affected by the form of nitrogen fertilizers

One-year old nectarine trees [Prunus persica, Batsch var. nectarina (Ait.) Maxim.], cv Nectaross grafted on P.S.B2 peach seedlings [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] were grown for five months in 4-litre pots filled with two alkaline soils, one of which was also calcareous. Soils were regularly subjected to fertigation with either ammonium sulphate or calcium nitrate providing a total of 550 mg N/tree. Trees were also grown in such soils receiving only deionized water, as controls. Rhizosphere pH, measured by the use of a microelectrode inserted in agar sheet containing a bromocresol purple as pH indicator and placed on selected roots, was decreased by about 2–3 units compared to the bulk soil pH in all treatments. This decrease was slightly less marked when plants were supplied with calcium nitrate rather than ammonium sulphate or control. Measurements conducted during the course of the experiment indicated that ammonium concentration was similar in the solution of soils receiving the two N fertilizers. During the experiment, soil solution nitrate-N averaged 115 mg L^–1 in soil fertilized with calcium nitrate, 68 mg L^–1 in those receiving ammonium sulphate and 1 mg L^–1 in control soils. At the end of the experiment nitrate concentrations were similar in soils receiving the two N sources and bulk soil pH was decreased by about 0.4 units by ammonium sulphate fertigation: these evidences suggest a rapid soil nitriflcation activity of added ammonium. Symptoms of interveinal chlorosis in apical leaves appeared during the course of the experiment in trees planted in the alkaline-calcareous soil when calcium nitrate was added. The slightly higher rhizosphere pH for calcium nitrate-fed plants may have contributed to this. The findings suggest that using ammonium sulphate in a liquid form (e.g. by fertigation) in high-pH soils leads to their acidification and the micronutrient availability may be improved.     

Variation in drought resistance in adjacent edaphic populations of Eucalyptus viminalis Labill.

Population differences in growth rate, drought resistance, and aspects of tissue water relations in seedlings of two neighbouring populations of E. viminalis on basalt and granite soils have been reported previously (Ladiges 1974a, b). The present work has confirmed these differences and field studies have related them to differences in edaphic factors. The granite soil supports the slower growing, more drought-resistant population. Moisture contents for this soil were lower over a twelve-month period than for the basalt soil. Estimated pF values for granitic top-soil were higher and above 5 for six months of the year. During the drier months, leaf water potentials of mature trees on the granite were lower than for trees on the basalt and reached average values of -28 bars in March 1974. A comparison of open-pollinated seedlings on two areas of granite, 0–4 km and 2–0 km from the trees on the basalt, suggested that there is a degree of gene flow between trees on the basalt and trees on the nearer granite site. The results therefore suggest some outcrossing in E. viminalis. Prior to 1900, stands on the basalt area were probably continuous with those on the more distant granite site and a degree of gene flow would have occurred. It appears that differential selection pressures have been primarily responsible for the population differences noted in growth rate and drought resistance.     

The effect of calcium on the germination,growth and mineral nutrition of acidic and calcareous populations ofEucalyptus obliqua L'Hérit

Summary A comparative study of two populations ofE. obliqua has shown that germination of an acidic population is severely reduced at high levels of Ca, whereas a calcareous population maintained high germinability over a wide range of Ca concentrations. In contrast, seedlings of both populations showed a similar overall response in yield to an increasing supply of external Ca. However, plants from the acidic population tended to show a lower survival rate and poorly growing plants accumulated higher levels of Ca and P at high external concentrations of Ca than the calcareous population. Plants showing severe chlorosis and symptoms of P and Ca toxicity also exhibited low K/Ca ratios.     

Effects of soil temperature on root and shoot growth traits and iron deficiency chlorosis in sorghum genotypes grown on a low iron calcareous soil

Iron deficiency chlorosis (FeDC) is a common disorder for sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] grown on alkaline calcareous soils. Four sorghum genotypes were grown in growth chambers on a low Fe (1.3 g/g DTPA-extractable), alkaline (pH 8.0), calcareous (3.87% CaCO₃ equivalent) Aridic Haplustoll to determine effects of different soil temperatures (12, 17, 22 and 27°C at a constant 27°C air temperature) on various root and shoot growth traits and development of FeDC. As soil temperature increased, leaf chlorosis became more severe, and shoot and root dry weights, root lengths, and leaf areas increased markedly. Shoot/root ratios, shoot weight/root length, leaf area/shoot weight and leaf area/root weight and root length also increased while root length/root weight decreased as soil temperature increased. Severe FeDC developed in all genotypes even though genotypes had previously shown different degrees of resistance to FeDC. Genotypes differed in most growth traits, especially dry matter yields, root lengths, and leaf areas, but most traits did not appear to be related to genotype resistance to FeDC. The most FeDC resistant genotype had the slowest growth rate and this may be a mechanism for its greater resistance to FeDC.     

Interactions Between Nitrogen and Manganese Nutrition of Barley Genotypes Differing in Manganese Efficiency

Ammonium-fed plants may acidify the rhizosphere and thus increaseavailability of Mn in calcareous alkaline soils. The importanceof N nutrition in the differential expression of tolerance toMn deficiency among cereal genotypes is not yet clear. Two factorialexperiments testing effects of the NH₄-N/NO₃-N ratio and Mnfertilization on growth of barley genotypes differing in toleranceto Mn deficiency were conducted in two calcareous alkaline soilsin pots in a controlled environment. In the soil containing80% CaCO₃at pH 8.5, better root and shoot growth and highershoot Mn concentrations were achieved with nitrate supply, especiallyat lower rates of Mn fertilization. The Mn-efficient genotypeWeeah (tolerant of Mn deficiency) achieved better root and shootgrowth than Mn-inefficient Galleon barley (sensitive to Mn deficiency)regardless of experimental treatment. Fertilization with Mndid not influence total N concentration in barley roots andshoots. In the soil containing 5% CaCO₃at pH 7.8, ammonium-fedplants had better root and shoot growth and, at shoot Mn concentrationsabove the critical level, Mn-inefficient Galleon performed betterthan Mn-efficient Weeah barley. It appears that differentialexpression of Mn efficiency among barley genotypes is not associatedwith differences in Mn availability expected to be producedby differential rhizosphere acidification as a response to differentforms of N supply. There is an apparent preference of locallyselected barley genotypes for nitrate nutrition when grown onthe highly calcareous alkaline soils of southern Australia. Ammonium; calcareous soil; Hordeum vulgare ; manganese; nitrate; nitrogen form; nutrient efficiency; rhizosphere     

Bicarbonate concentration as affected by soil water content controls iron nutrition of peanut plants in a calcareous soil.

Strategy I peanut plants are frequently subjected to iron deficiency when growing in calcareous soils, which contain high concentrations of bicarbonate. In calcareous soils under field conditions, it has been noted that chlorosis increases in severity after excessive rainfall or irrigation, but the chlorosis symptoms of peanuts are alleviated after waterlogged soils dry. A pot experiment was conducted simulating the chlorosis symptom observed in the field when peanut plants are exposed to fluctuating soil water content induced from rainfall or irrigation. We investigated the bicarbonate fluctuations resulting from adjustable soil water content (SWC) that could lead to bicarbonate-induced iron chlorosis of peanuts growing in calcareous soil. The experiments included three treatments of SWC (50% of water holding capacity (WHC), 80% of WHC, and 100% of WHC) under two levels of CaCO(3) concentrations (at 8.67% and 18.67%.) The results showed that the iron nutrition of peanuts could be regulated by different SWC at both CaCO(3) levels. Our observations indicate that iron deficiency chlorosis symptoms in peanuts grown in high soil water content were more severe, compared to those of peanuts in lower soil water content. A shift from high soil water content to lower soil water content could improve or eliminate the iron deficiency chlorosis symptom of peanuts. The HCO(3)(-) concentration in the peanut rhizosphere increased with increasing SWC and CaCO(3) content and it correlated with the level of soil water content. We suggest that variations in the soil water content could induce HCO(3)(-) concentration variation in the rhizosphere of peanuts. Consequently, the high HCO(3)(-) concentration, which is induced by a high water content in calcareous soil and a high CaCO(3) level, could inhibit the physiological response to iron deficiency of peanuts, resulting in iron deficiency chlorosis. The study indicates that a reasonable agricultural practice of irrigation and drainage should be considered to improve and prevent iron deficiency chlorosis of strategy I plants in calcareous soil.     

Influence of soil reaction on diversity and antifungal activity of fluorescent pseudomonads in crop rhizospheres

The diversity and antifungal activity of fluorescent pseudomonads isolated from rhizospheres of tea, gladiolus, carnation and black gram grown in acidic soils with similar texture and climatic conditions were studied. Biochemical characterisation including antibiotic resistance assay, RAPD and PCR-RFLP studies revealed a largely homogenous population. At soil pH (5.2), the isolates exhibited growth with varying levels of siderophore production, irrespective of crop rhizospheres. Two isolates with maximum chitinase production showed antagonism. The bacterial populations in general lacked the ability to produce deleterious traits such as cellulase, pectinase and hydrogen cyanide. However, increased pH levels beyond 5.2 caused reduction in metabolite production with reduced antifungal activity. The homogeneity of the bacterial population irrespective of crop rhizospheres together with decreased secondary metabolite production at higher pH levels reinstated the importance of soil over host plant in influencing rhizosphere populations. The studies also yielded acid tolerant chitinase producing antagonistic fluorescent pseudomonads.     

Effect of salt on physiological responses of barley to iron deficiency.

Iron chlorosis is very common on alkaline soils such as calcareous ones, since iron availability is limited by high pH. Under these conditions of iron deficiency, graminaceous plant species induce special mechanisms for iron acquisition, involving enhanced release of iron chelators called phytosiderophores. On the other hand, it is known that most of salt soils have alkaline pH. So, plants growing on this kind of soils are often subjected simultaneously to salinity and iron deficiency. This work aimed at (i) studying the physiological responses of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) to iron deficiency, and (ii) evaluating the effect of salt on the iron nutrition and the phytosiderophore release. For this purpose, seedlings of Hordeum vulgare L. were cultivated under controlled conditions, either in a complete nutrient solution with or without NaCl, or in an iron free nutrient solution containing or not NaCl. The plant morphological aspect, chlorophyll content of young leaves, iron status, biomass production, and phytosiderophore release by roots were assessed. Plants subjected to Fe deficiency exhibited a severe chlorosis, accompanied by a significant biomass reduction. These plants developed more lateral roots than the control with a highly stimulated phytosiderophore release. However, the latter was greatly diminished when iron deficiency was associated to salinity. A depressive effect of salt on iron acquisition in plants subjected only to salt stress which was also observed and further confirmed by the important decrease of efficiency in iron acquisition. These results suggest that salinity may reduce capacity of plants to acquire iron from alkaline soils by inhibiting phytosiderophore release.