Effect of Trichoderma asperellum strain T34 on iron, copper, manganese, and zinc uptake by wheat grown on a calcareous medium

Rhizosphere microbes may enhance nutrient uptake by plants. Here we studied the effect of Trichoderma asperellum inoculation on the uptake of Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn by wheat (Triticum aestivum L) grown in a calcareous medium. To this end, an experiment involving two factors, namely Fe enrichment (ferrihydrite enrichment and non-enrichment of the growing medium), and inoculation/non-inoculation with Trichoderma asperellum strain T34, was performed twice under the same conditions. The increase in Fe availability as a result of ferrihydrite enrichment did not enhance plant dry matter production. The effect of T34 on the concentration of Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn, and the total amount of Cu, Mn, and Zn in the aerial parts differed depending on the degree of ferrihydrite enrichment. Inoculation with T34 increased Fe concentration in Fe-deficient media, thus revealing a positive effect of this microorganism on Fe nutrition in wheat. However, T34 significantly decreased the concentration and total amount of Cu, Mn, and Zn in the aerial parts, but only in ferrihydrite-enriched medium. This adverse effect of T34 on Cu, Mn, and Zn uptake by wheat plants may have been related to conditions of restricted availability where potential competition for nutrients between microorganisms and plants can be more marked.     

Zn、Cd及其复合对小麦幼苗吸收Ca,Fe,Mn的影响

研究了溶液培养条件下,Cd,Zn及其复合对小麦幼苗吸收Ca,Fe,Mn的影响,结果表明,小麦幼苗对Zn,Cd的吸收随溶液中Cd^2 ,Zn^2 浓度的升高而增加,Cd,Zn同时存在时与其单独作用时幼苗对它们的吸收不同,Zn影响幼苗对Cd的吸收,Cd对Zn的吸收起抑制作用,Ca,Mn的吸收随溶液中Cd^2 ,Zn2 浓度升高而呈下降趋势,在Cd单独处理组和Zn单独处理组中Fe的吸收随Cd2 ,Zn2 浓度升高而增加,但在Zn Cd处理组中,Fe的吸收则呈下降趋势,其效应试学与作物具体部位有关。     

5-Aminolevulinic acid improves photosynthetic gas exchange capacity and ion uptake under salinity stress in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.)

Salinity is one of the major constraints in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) production. One of the means to overcome this constraint is the use of plant growth regulators to induce plant tolerance. To study the plant response to salinity in combination with a growth regulator, 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), oilseed rape plants were grown hydroponically in greenhouse conditions under three levels of salinity (0, 100, and 200 mM NaCl) and foliar application of ALA (30 mg/l). Salinity depressed the growth of shoots and roots, and decreased leaf water potential and chlorophyll concentration. Addition of ALA partially improved the growth of shoots and roots, and increased the leaf chlorophyll concentrations of stressed plants. Foliar application of ALA also maintained leaf water potential of plants growing in 100 mM salinity at the same level as that of the control plants, and there was also an improvement in the water relations of ALA-treated plants growing in 200 mM. Net photosynthetic rate and gas exchange parameters were also reduced significantly with increasing salinity; these effects were partially reversed upon foliar application with ALA. Sodium accumulation increased with increasing NaCl concentration which induced a complex response in the macro-and micronutrients uptake and accumulation in both roots and leaves. Generally, analyses of macro- (N, P, K, S, Ca, and Mg) and micronutrients (Mn, Zn, Fe, and Cu) showed no increased accumulation of these ions in the leaves and roots (on dry weight basis) under increasing salinity except for zinc (Zn). Foliar application of ALA enhanced the concentrations of all nutrients other than Mn and Cu. These results suggest that under short-term salinity-induced stress (10 days), exogenous application of ALA helped the plants improve growth, photosynthetic gas exchange capacity, water potential, chlorophyll content, and mineral nutrition by manipulating the uptake of Na⁺.     

Zn、Cd及其复合对小麦幼苗吸收Ca、Fe、Mn的影响

研究了溶液培养条件下Cd、Zn及其复合对小麦幼苗吸收Ca、Fe、Mn的影响.结果表明,小麦幼苗对Zn、Cd的吸收随溶液中Cd²⁺、Zn²⁺浓度的升高而增加,Cd、Zn同时存在时与其单独作用时幼苗对它们的吸收不同,Zn影响幼苗对Cd的吸收,Cd对Zn的吸收起抑制作用.Ca、Mn的吸收随溶液中Cd²⁺、Zn²⁺浓度升高而呈下降趋势,在Cd单独处理组和Zn单独处理组中Fe的吸收随Cd²⁺、Zn²⁺浓度升高而增加,但在Zn+Cd处理组中,Fe的吸收则呈下降趋势,其效应方式还与作物具体部位有关.     

The effects of copper, manganese and zinc on plant growth and elemental accumulation in the manganese-hyperaccumulator Phytolacca americana

Synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence (SRXRF) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry were used to estimate major, minor and trace elements in Cu-, Zn- and Mn-treated Phytolacca americana. The effects of the addition of Cu, Zn and Mn on morphological parameters, such as root length, shoot height, and fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots, were also examined. In addition, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidases (GPX) and catalase (CAT) and the expression of Fe-SOD, Cu/Zn-SOD, metallothionein-2 and glutathione S-transferase (GST) exposed to the highest amounts of Cu, Zn or Mn were detected. Our results confirmed the following: (1) Zn supplementation leads to chlorosis, disturbed elemental homeostasis and decreased concentrations of micro- and macroelements such as Fe, Mg, Mn, Ca and K. Cu competed with Fe, Mn and Zn uptake in plants supplemented with 25μM Cu. However, no antagonistic interactions took place between Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe uptake in plants supplemented with 100μM Cu. Mn supplementation at various concentrations had no negative effects on elemental deficits. Mn was co-located with high concentrations of Fe and Zn in mature leaves and the concentrations of macro elements were unchanged. (2) P. americana supplemented with increased concentrations of Zn and Cu exhibited lower biomass production and reduced plant growth. (3) When plants were supplemented with the highest Zn and Cu concentrations, symptoms of toxicity corresponded to decreased SOD or CAT activities and increased APX and GPX activities. However, Mn tolerance corresponded to increased SOD and CAT activities and decreased POD and APX activities. Our study revealed that heavy metals partially exert toxicity by disturbing the nutrient balance and modifying enzyme activities that induce damage in plants. However, P. americana has evolved hyper accumulating mechanisms to maintain elemental balance and redox homeostasis under excess Mn.     

Root porosity, radial oxygen loss and iron plaque on roots of wetland plants in relation to zinc tolerance and accumulation

Background and aims

Wetland plants have been widely used in constructed wetlands for the clean-up of metal-contaminated waters. This study investigated the relationship between rate of radial oxygen loss (ROL), root porosity, Zn uptake and tolerance, Fe plaque formation in wetland plants.

Methods

A hydroponic experiment and a pot trial with Zn-contaminated soil were conducted to apply different Zn level treatments to various emergent wetland plants.

Results

Significant differences were found between plants in their root porosities, rates of ROL, Zn uptake and Zn tolerance indices in the hydroponic experiment, and concentrations of Fe and Mn on roots and in the rhizosphere in the pot trial. There were significant positive correlations between root porosities, ROL rates, Zn tolerance, Zn, Fe and Mn concentrations on roots and in the rhizosphere. Wetland plants with higher root porosities and ROL tended to have more Fe plaque, higher Zn concentrations on roots and in their rhizospheres, and were more tolerant of Zn toxicity.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that ROL and root porosity play very important roles in Fe plaque formation, Zn uptake and tolerance, and are useful criteria for selecting wetland plants for the phytoremediation of Zn-contaminated waters and soils/sediments.     

Effects of short-term flooding on growth,yield and mineral composition of wheat on sodic soil under field conditions

In sodic soils of the Indo-Gangetic alluvial plains of Northern India, flooding for short periods often occurs during the growing season of wheat, leading to low yields. A field study was therefore conducted to evaluate the effects of short-term flooding on growth, yield and mineral composition of wheat (Triticum aestivum Linn. emend. Fiori and Paol) in a sodic soil (pH 8.9, exchangeable sodium percentage 25). Flooding wheat for 2,4 and 6 days at the time of first irrigation (25-day old plants), significantly reduced tillering, plant height, delayed head emergence and resulted in 17.6, 29.0 and 46.7% reduction in grain yield, respectively, Flooding decreased oxygen diffusion rate (ODR) values, restricted root grwoth and reduced ion uptake, especially of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Zn and led to higher absorption of Na, Fe and Mn. Under the conditions of this experiment, the reduced growth and yield of wheat resulting from short-term flooding was not due to Mn, Fe and Na toxicity but may be due to reduced uptake of nutrients resulting from O₂ deficiency in the soil.     

Aspects of the Fe-and Mn nutrition of rice plants

Summary The combination of low Mn levels and high Fe levels in tissues of lowland rice varieties, as often encountered when rice is grown on acid soils, is not likely to result from an antagonistic effect of Fe on the uptake of Mn.Experiments with rice plants growing on sand, supplied with Fe and Mn, and subjected to various pH levels and moisture regimes, made it clear that under acid anaerobic conditions the absorption of Mn by rice plants is little affected by the presence of large quantities of Fe, and that under acid aerobic conditions the absorption of Fe by rice plants is little affected by the presence of large quantities of Mn.     

Modeling and analysis of soybean (Glycine max. L) Cu/Zn,Mn and Fe superoxide dismutases

Superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) is an important metal-containing antioxidant enzyme that provides the first line of defense against toxic superoxide radicals by catalyzing their dismutation to oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. SOD is classified into four metalloprotein isoforms, namely, Cu/Zn SOD, Mn SOD, Ni SOD and Fe SOD. The structural models of soybean SOD isoforms have not yet been solved. In this study, we describe structural models for soybean Cu/Zn SOD, Mn SOD and Fe SOD and provide insights into the molecular function of this metal-binding enzyme in improving tolerance to oxidative stress in plants.     

Effects of Pb-EDTA and EDTA on oxidative stress reactions and mineral uptake in Phaseolus vulgaris

Sequestration of Pb by synthetic chelates has been reported to increase bioavailability, uptake, and translocation of this metal in plants. In this work the potential phytotoxic effects of Pb-EDTA were investigated in Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Limburgse vroege plants grown on hydroponics. Addition of 50 µ M Pb-EDTA to the nutrient solution caused a significant induction of syringaldazine peroxidase (SPOD; EC 1.11.1.7) in roots and primary leaves and guaiacol peroxidase (GPOD; EC 1.11.1.7) in leaves. Addition of 100 µ M Pb-EDTA further exacerbated ascorbate peroxidase (APOD; EC 1.11.1.11), GPOD, dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR; EC 1.8.5.1), glutathione reductase (GR; EC 1.6.4.2) and malic enzyme (ME; EC 1.1.1.40) in roots and APOD and ME in primary leaves. Addition of 200 µ M Pb-EDTA also induced DHAR in leaves. This induction of peroxidases (SPOD, GPOD, APOD), enzymes of the ascorbate-glutathione cycle (DHAR, GR in roots) and of an NADP⁺ reducing enzyme in roots and primary leaves indicates that oxidative stress has been initiated. At 200 µ M Pb-EDTA, chlorophyll a and b content in leaves was significantly reduced while visible effects on root morphology and shoot length were observed, while no significant morphological effects were found in the leaves, confirming the sensitive character of the measured enzymes as plant stress indicators. Elevation of the Pb-EDTA concentration in the growth medium significantly reduced the content of Ca, Fe, Mn and Zn taken up by plants, probably due to ion leakage as a result of observed toxicity. Addition of up to 200 µ M EDTA increased chelation of divalent cations in nutrient solution resulting in reduced plant uptake of Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn. This did not result in phytotoxicity.     

海甘蓝生长过程中植株体内矿质营养元素动态的研究

我们在法国西部的昂热市（Ａｎｇｅｒｓ）试验研究了海甘蓝在不同生长时期内植株生长量、体内矿质营养元素含量、植株对不同营养元素的吸收量的动态变化。结果表明,海甘蓝在５个月生长期内的田间总生长量为１２．２２ｔ·ｈｍ－２（干物质）,移栽后各月内海甘蓝的生长量大小顺序为第五个月＞第三个月＞第二个月＞第四个月＞第一个月。海甘蓝植株体内Ｂ、Ｓ、Ｃａ和Ｐ的含量以移栽后的第二个月最高,第五个月最低;Ｃｕ、Ｆｅ和Ｍｎ含量在第一个月最高,其它时期变化不大;Ｚｎ和Ｍｎ含量随移栽后的时间增加而降低;Ｎａ和Ｋ含量在整个生长季节内均无明显变化。在整个生长季节内,海甘蓝对各种矿质营养元素的总吸收量的大小顺序为Ｋ＞Ｃａ＞Ｓ＞Ｐ＞Ｎａ＞Ｆｅ＞Ｍｎ＞Ｚｎ＞Ｂ＞Ｃｕ。不同生长期,植株对多数营养元素的吸收量的大小顺序为第五个月＞第三个月＞第二个月＞第四个月＞第一个月     

The role of phytosiderophores in acquisition of iron and other micronutrients in graminaceous species: An ecological approach

Phytosiderophores (PS) are released in graminaceous species (Gramineae) under iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) deficiency stress and are of great ecological significance for acquisition of Fe and presumably also of Zn. The potential for release of PS is much higher than reported up to now. Rapid microbial degradation during PS collection from nutrient solution-grown plants is the main cause of this underestimation. Due to spatial separation of PS release and microbial activity in the rhizosphere a much slower degradation of PS can be assumed in soil-grown plants. Concentrations of PS up to molar levels have been calculated under non-sterile conditions in the rhizosphere of Fe-deficient barley plants.Besides Fe, PS mobilize also Zn, Mn and Cu. Despite this unspecific mobilization, PS mobilize appreciable amounts of Fe in calcareous soils and are of significance for chlorosis resistance of graminaceous species. In most species the rate of PS release is high enough to satisfy the Fe demand for optimal growth on calcareous soils.In contrast to the chelates ZnPS and MnPS, FePS are preferentially taken up in comparison with other soluble Fe compounds. In addition, the specific uptake system for FePS (translocator) is regulated exclusively by the Fe nutritional status. Therefore, it seems appropriate to retain the term phytosiderophore instead of phytochelate.     

Aluminium effects on growth, nutrient net uptake and transport in 3 rice (Oryza sativa) cultivars with different sensitivity to aluminium

Varietal differences in net nutrient uptake rate and transport efficiency in the presence of aluminium have seldom been investigated in rice. Therefore, effects of Al on growth, uptake and transport of macronutrients (K, P, Ca, and Mg) and micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn) were evaluated in 3 rice cultivars (BG35, DA14 and IR45) with different Al sensitivity. The plants were grown in nutrient solution at pH 4.1. An initial growth was completed in the time interval 1 to 5 days immediately before the addition of Al. The final growth period with Al (0, 140, 280 or 560 μ M ) was completed on day 26. With Al, a comparatively high P accumulation occurred in shoots and roots of the Al tolerant cultivar BG35. In contrast, the Al sensitive cultivar IR45 maintained a relatively high Ca accumulation during the Al treatment. A reduced total net uptake rate of P and Ca by IR45 in the time period 5 to 26 days was due to both a reduced root fresh weight and a reduced net uptake rate per g fresh weight of root. Moreover, net Ca transport to the shoots higher than net uptake rate in DA14 and IR45 at > 140 μ M Al during the test period suggests restricted Ca uptake by the roots in combination with a continuous net loss of Ca from the roots to the shoots as time proceeds. In the case of Mg and Mn, there was a general reduction of net uptake rates, irrespective of Al sensitivity of cultivars. With Al treatment, comparatively high accumulation of Fe, Zn and Cu occurred in the roots of IR45, concomitant with a high net Zn and Cu uptake rate. It is concluded that differences in Al sensitivity among rice cultivars BG35, DA14 and IR45 are not primarily linked to the depressed internal Mg or Mn status of the plants but rather to changes in the uptake and distribution of Ca and P.     

Applicability of Heavy-Metal Phytoextraction in United Arab Emirates: An Investigation of Candidate Species

Phytoremediation of contaminated calcareous desert land in the United Arab Emirates has been investigated. Soils from 12 northern UAE sites, suspected of metal contamination, were acid-extracted and analyzed by ICP-OES for Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn. Twenty-two plants naturally growing at contaminated sites were sampled and analyzed for their uptake of Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn and eight commercially available plants, grown under controlled conditions, were also studied for their phytoextraction capabilities. The concentration of available Cr was found to be 1300 ± 150 mg/kg in the soil of the Ajman Industrial Zone and 80 ± 10 mg/kg of Pb was found at Bithna. Among the plants investigated, Portulaca oleracea and Iresine herbstii showed potential for Cr(VI) and Pb(II) accumulation, respectively, with bioconcentration factors (BCF) greater than unity. Atriplex halimus accumulated Co(II), Cr(III), and Cu(II) each with a BCF > 1.     

Evaluation of changes in the element content and biomass of invaded with Meloidogyne arenaria Tiny Tim tomato plants under NH4VO3 treatment

The parasite-host system Meloidogyne arenaria--Tiny Tim tomato plants has been studied in order to investigate the influence of the process of invasion on the chemical composition and biomass of plants. The concentrations of seven chemical elements Cu, Zn, Mg, K, Na, Mn and Fe have been determined using AAS in controls and invaded plants, and their changes have been evaluated under treatment with NH4VO3 in three different concentrations 0.01, 0.1 and 0.13 mg/100 ml H2O. The process of treatment with NH4VO3 disbalances significantly the trace element content of plants. The lowest concentration (0.01 mg NH4VO3) causes bigger changes in the concentrations of Mn, Fe and Na in non-invaded plants. The highest concentration (0.13 mg NH4VO3) balances the content of the elements back to their levels in the control plants for the elements Zn, Fe and Na. The pure effect of the process of invasion with Meloidogyne arenaria on the biomass (leaves, stems, roots and total biomass) of Tiny Tim plants is expressed in a significant increasing, mainly due to the development of the parasites. After treatment with different concentrations of NH4VO3 the decreasing in the biomass of leaves, stems and roots is observed which reflects on the total biomass of plants. The concentration of NH4VO3 eliminates the unfavourable changes not only in the chemical content of plants but also in their biomass. It could be taken into consideration as an alternative method used instead of treatment with nematocides.     

Alfalfa genotypes differ in their ability to tolerate zinc deficiency

Response of 13 alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) genotypes to varied Zn supply (+Zn: 2 mg kg⁻¹ soil, −Zn: no added Zn) was studied in a pot experiment under controlled environmental conditions. Plants were grown for four weeks in a Zn-deficient siliceous sandy soil. Plants grown at no added Zn showed typical Zn deficiency symptoms i.e. interveinal chlorosis of leaves, yellowish-white necrotic lesions on leaf blades, necrosis of leaf margins, smaller leaves and a marked reduction in growth. There was solute leakage from the leaves of Zn-deficient plants, while no solute leakage from Zn-sufficient plants. The ratios of P:Zn, Fe:Zn, Cu:Zn and Mn:Zn in Zn-deficient plants were extremely high compared with Zn-sufficient plants indicating disturbance of P:Zn, Fe:Zn, Cu:Zn and Mn:Zn balance within plant system by Zn deficiency. Genotypes differed markedly in Zn efficiency based on shoot dry matter production. Alfalfa genotypes also differed markedly in P:Zn ratio, Cu:Zn ratio and Fe:Zn ratio under —Zn treatment. The shoot dry weight, shoot:root ratio, chlorophyll content of fresh leaf tissue, solute leakage from the leaves, Zn uptake and distribution of Zn in shoots and roots were the most sensitive parameters of Zn efficiency. Zn-efficient genotypes had less solute leakage but higher shoot:root ratio and higher Zn uptake compared with Zn-inefficient genotypes. Under —Zn treatment, Zn-inefficient genotypes had less Zn partitioning to shoots (33–37%) and more Zn retained in roots (63–67%), while Zn-efficient genotypes had about equal proportions of Zn in roots (50%) and shoots (50%). This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of P and Mn on growth response and uptake of Fe,Mn and P by sorghum

Summary The effects of P and Mn on growth response and uptake of Fe, Mn and P by grain sorghum were investigated using nutrient culture. High P and Mn concentrations in solution (greater than 40 and 1 mg/l for P and Mn, respectively) markedly reduced plant height and shoot and root dry weight of 4-week-old sorghum plants. High Mn concentrations in solution increased the concentrations of Mn and P in shoot tissue and uptake of Mn, but depressed the uptake of P. High levels of P enhanced Mn uptake by sorghum and accentuated Mn toxicity at low Mn levels. The tissue Fe and total uptake of Fe were both reduced markedly by the high levels of P and Mn concentrations in solution. The increases of P, Mn and Fe concentrations in root tissue with a concomitant decrease of Fe in shoots suggested that the translocation of Fe from roots to shoots was hindered under high P and Mn conditions. Since coating occurred on root surfaces and intensified with increasing Mn concentrations in the substrate, part of the reduction of Fe in shoots could be attributed to the formation of high valent manganese oxides on the root surfaces which may retain Fe and reduce its absorption by sorghum.Contribution from the Department of Agronomy and Range Sci., University of California, Davis, CA.     

The expression of heterologous Fe (III) phytosiderophore transporter HvYS1 in rice increases Fe uptake,translocation and seed loading and excludes heavy metals by selective Fe transport

Many metal transporters in plants are promiscuous, accommodating multiple divalent cations including some which are toxic to humans. Previous attempts to increase the iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) content of rice endosperm by overexpressing different metal transporters have therefore led unintentionally to the accumulation of copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and cadmium (Cd). Unlike other metal transporters, barley Yellow Stripe 1 (HvYS1) is specific for Fe. We investigated the mechanistic basis of this preference by constitutively expressing HvYS1 in rice under the control of the maize ubiquitin1 promoter and comparing the mobilization and loading of different metals. Plants expressing HvYS1 showed modest increases in Fe uptake, root‐to‐shoot translocation, seed accumulation and endosperm loading, but without any change in the uptake and root‐to‐shoot translocation of Zn, Mn or Cu, confirming the selective transport of Fe. The concentrations of Zn and Mn in the endosperm did not differ significantly between the wild‐type and HvYS1 lines, but the transgenic endosperm contained significantly lower concentrations of Cu. Furthermore, the transgenic lines showed a significantly reduced Cd uptake, root‐to‐shoot translocation and accumulation in the seeds. The underlying mechanism of metal uptake and translocation reflects the down‐regulation of promiscuous endogenous metal transporters revealing an internal feedback mechanism that limits seed loading with Fe. This promotes the preferential mobilization and loading of Fe, therefore displacing Cu and Cd in the seed.     

Effects of Flooding and Drainage and their Alternation on the Growth and Uptake of Nutrients by Rice (Oryza sativa L., indica, var. IR-8)

Continuous flooding of the soil (‘flooded’ treatment)gave best growth of IR-8 variety of rice whereas soil drainedfor 4 weeks and then flooded for 8 (‘drained and flooded’treatment) resulted in poorest growth and chlorotic plants.Plants grown in the continuously drained soil (‘drained’treatment) and those in the soil flooded for 4 weeks and thendrained for 8 (‘flooded and drained’ treatment)showed intermediate growth. There were no differences in therelative water content of plants growing in the various treatments.Analyses of plant tissues showed that a consideration of therelative concentration of Fe, Mn, and P in the shoots is mostclosely related to the performance of rice under various culturalconditions. An increase in the concentration of Fe in the planttissues following flooding was correlated with the best growth(‘flooded’ treatment) unless it was accompaniedby high level of Mn (as in the ‘drained and flooded’treatment) which may have proved toxic, e.g. by interferencewith Fe metabolism as was evidenced by chlorosis. Measurementsof oxidation-reduction potentials, oxygen diffusion rates, andthe concentration of exchangeable and soluble Fe and Mn in thesoils have shown that the ‘drained and flooded’treatment caused the most extreme reducing conditions. Floodingaccompanied by the development of extreme reducing conditionsled to a greater accumulation of Mn in the shoots (‘drainedand flooded’ treatment) whereas flooding accompanied bythe maintenance of oxidizing conditions (‘flooded’treatment) resulted in a lower uptake of Mn. Growth of riceplants for 4 weeks in the drained soil did not fit them forthe reduced conditions which developed during subsequent flooding(‘drained and flooded’ treatment).     

OsNRAMP5, a major player for constitutive iron and manganese uptake in rice

Manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) are essential mineral micronutrients for plants and their deficiency and or toxicity represents a serious agricultural problem. In rice the information about genes involved in Mn uptake from soil is scarce. Recently, we showed that OsNRAMP5 is a plasma membrane protein involved in Mn and Fe transport. The concentration of Mn in roots, shoots and xylem sap of OsNRAMP5 RNAi (OsNRAMP5i) plants was significantly reduced compared with WT plants. The expression of OsNRAMP5 is not controlled by Fe deficiency in root and was also observed in pistil, ovary, lemma and palea. These data show that rice would utilize OsNRAMP5 for constitutive Fe and Mn uptake, while OsNRAMP5 would also play a role in Fe and Mn transport during flowering and seed development.