Common and specific responses to iron and phosphorus deficiencies in roots of apple tree (Malus × domestica)

Plant Molecular Biology - Iron and phosphorus are abundant elements in soils but poorly available for plant nutrition. The availability of these two nutrients represents a major constraint for...     

Uptake of 5 9Fe from soluble 5 9Fe-humate complexes by cucumber and barley plants

The capability of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L., cv. Serpente cinese), a Strategy I plant and barley (Hordeum vulgaris L., cv. Europa), a Strategy II plant to use Fe complexed by a water-soluble humic fraction (WEHS) extracted from a peat, was studied. Uptake of ⁵⁹Fe from ⁵⁹Fe-WEHS by cucumber plants was higher at pH 6.0 than at pH 7.5. Roots of intact cucumber plants were able to reduce the Fe^III-WEHS complex either at pH 6.0 or 7.5, rates being higher in the assay medium buffered at pH 6.0. After supply of ⁵⁹Fe-WEHS, a large pool of root extraplasmatic ⁵⁹Fe was formed, which could be used to a large extent by Fe-deficient plants, particularly under acidic conditions. Uptake of ⁵⁹Fe from ⁵⁹Fe-WEHS by Fe-sufficient and Fe-deficient barley plants was examined during periods of high (morning) and low (evening) PS release. Uptake paralleled the diurnal rhythm of PS release. Furthermore, ⁵⁹Fe uptake was strongly enhanced by addition of PS to the uptake solution in both Fe-sufficient and Fe-deficient plants. High amount of root extraplasmatic ⁵⁹Fe was formed upon supply of Fe-WEHS, particularly in the evening experiment. Fe-deficient barley plants were able to utilize Fe from the root extraplasmatic pool, conceivably as a result of high rates of PS release. The results of the present work together with previous observations indicate that cucumber plants (Strategy I) utilize Fe complexed to WEHS, presumably via reduction of Fe^III-WEHS by the plasma membrane-bound reductase, while barley plants (Strategy II) use an indirect mechanism involving ligand exchange between WEHS and PS.     

Glyphosate affects chlorophyll,photosynthesis and water use of four Intacta RR2 soybean cultivars

The planting of RR2 Intacta soybeans by farmers has been expanding strongly. However, some visual injuries have been noted after glyphosate application. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of glyphosate application on chlorophyll, photosynthesis and water use of four Intacta RR2 soybean cultivars. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, in a randomized block design with a 3 × 4 factorial scheme, consisting of three glyphosate rates and four soybean cultivars. The glyphosate formula used was isopropylamine salt + potassium salt. The parameters analyzed were phytotoxicity at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after application, and total chlorophyll index at 0, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and 49 days after application. Furthermore, 40 days after application, the net CO2 assimilation rate (A), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (G), and internal CO₂ concentration (Ci) were evaluated as well. The water-use efficiency (WUE) and carboxylation efficiency were calculated. The data were submitted to analysis of variance and compared by the Tukey’s test (p ≤ 0.05), followed by regression analysis. The phytotoxicity influence could be seen until 21 days after application, in which Monsoy 6210 IPRO cultivar was the most injured. The increasing doses promoted a reduction of the chlorophyll level up to 35 days after application in Monsoy 6410 IPRO. The cultivars tested here showed similar chlorophyll index values. On the 3rd, 7th and 14th DAA (Fig. 5a–c), there was a significant linear decline in the chlorophyll index with rising glyphosate dose for all four cultivars. The chlorophyll index cultivars were not influenced by the doses on the 42nd and 49th DAA. There was no difference in water use and carboxylation efficiency. The parameters A, E and A/Ci showed a positive correlation as the doses increased, while Ci declined, in both cultivars. The application of glyphosate on these soybean cultivars causes different injuries according to the sensitivity. In general, RR2 soybeans have the ability to recover from visual intoxication injuries and reestablish the normal chlorophyll production and photosynthetic parameters after glyphosate application.     

Evaluation of 59Fe-lignosulfonates complexes as Fe-sources for plants

Iron chlorosis is a wide-spread limiting factor of production in agriculture. To cope with this problem, synthetic chelates (like EDTA or EDDHA) of Fe are used in foliar-spray or in soil treatments; however, these products are very expensive. Therefore paper-production byproducts, like Lignosulfonates (LS), with varying content of carboxylate and sulfonate groups, were tested with respect to their ability to maintain Fe in the solution of soils and to feed plants grown in hydroponics with Fe through foliar sprays or application to the nutrient solution. Results show that LS had a low capability to solubilize ⁵⁹Fe-hydroxide and that preformed ⁵⁹Fe(III)-LS complexes had poor mobility through a soil column (pH 7.5) and scarce stability when interacting with soils compared to ⁵⁹Fe(III)-EDDHA. However when ⁵⁹Fe(III)-LS were supplied to roots in a hydroponic system, they demonstrated an even higher capability to fed Fe-deficient tomato plants than ⁵⁹Fe(III)-EDDHA. Hence, data here presented indicate that the low Fe use efficiency from Fe-LS observed in soil-applications is due to interactions of these Fe-sources with soil colloids rather than to the low capability of roots to use them. Foliar application experiments of ⁵⁹Fe(III)-LS or ⁵⁹Fe(III)-EDTA to Fe-deficient cucumber plants show that uptake and reduction rates of Fe were similar between all these complexes; on the other hand, when ⁵⁹Fe(III)-LS were sprayed on Fe-deficient tomato leaves, they showed a lower uptake rate, but a similar reduction rate, than ⁵⁹Fe(III)-EDTA did. In conclusion, Fe-LS may be a valid, eco-compatible and cheap alternative to synthetic chelates in dealing with Fe chlorosis when applied foliarly or in the nutrient solution of hydroponically grown plants.     

Time and substrate dependent exudation of carboxylates by Lupinus albus L. and Brassica napus L.

Root exudates influence significantly physical, chemical and biological characteristics of rhizosphere soil. Their qualitative and quantitative composition is affected by environmental factors such as pH, soil type, oxygen status, light intensity, soil temperature, plant growth, nutrient availability and microorganisms. The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of growth substrate and plant age on the release of carboxylates from Lupinus albus L. and Brassica napus L.Both plant species were studied in continuously percolated microcosms filled with either sand, soil or sand + soil (1:1) mixture. Soil solution was collected every week at 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days after planting (DAP). Carboxylate concentrations were determined by reversed-phase liquid chromatography - electrospray ionization - time of flight mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-TOFMS).Oxalate, citrate, succinate, malate and maleate were detected in soil solutions of both plant species. Their concentrations were correlated with the physiological status of the plant and the growth substrate. Oxalate was the predominant carboxylate detected within the soil solution of B. napus plants while oxalate and citrate were the predominant ones found in the soil solutions of L. albus plants.The sampling determination of carboxylates released by plant roots with continuous percolation systems seems to be promising as it is a non-destructive method and allows sampling and determination of soluble low molecular weight organic compounds derived from root exudation as well as the concentration of soluble nutrients, which both might reflect the nutritional status of plants.     

Germination and Initial Root Growth of Four Legumes as Affected by Landfill Biogas Atmosphere

The most important problem in the restoration of closed landfills is the production of toxic gases by decomposition of refuse. Such gases affect the root system of plants growing on these sites. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects induced by landfill biogas contamination on germination and initial root growth of Vicia villosa (hairy vetch), Lotus corniculatus (birdsfoot trefoil), Trifolium pratense (red clover), and Trifolium repens (white clover). In laboratory conditions, simulated landfill and control gas were supplied to the seedlings. The composition of the simulated landfill gas used was: 16% O₂, 8% CO₂, 3% CH₄, and 73% N₂; a control gas was also tested (21% O₂, 0. 035% CO₂, and 78% N₂). Percentage of germinated seeds was determined after 6 and 12 days from the starting date; at the same time qualitative assays of metabolic root functionality were also performed by using an agar technique in order to visualize changes in rhizosphere pH. At the end of the experiment, the length of the primary and secondary root was measured. Germination after 6 days was affected by the gas treatment; the landfill biogas caused a delay in germination with respect to the control in seeds of V. villosa and L. corniculatus. Root fresh weight and dry weight were significantly decreased by biogas treatment in V. villosa and T. repens. In contrast, root dry weight was higher in gas treated L. corniculatus and T. pratense compared to control seedlings. Total root system was significantly higher in treated T. pratense. The qualitative assay suggests, with the exception of T. pratense, a metabolic adjustment of the treated seedlings. Key words: restoration, landfill biogas, legumes.     

Response of barley plants to Fe deficiency and Cd contamination as affected by S starvation

Both Fe deficiency and Cd exposure induce rapid changes in the S nutritional requirement of plants. The aim of this work was to characterize the strategies adopted by plants to cope with both Fe deficiency (release of phytosiderophores) and Cd contamination [production of glutathione (GSH) and phytochelatins] when grown under conditions of limited S supply. Experiments were performed in hydroponics, using barley plants grown under S sufficiency (1.2 mM sulphate) and S deficiency (0 mM sulphate), with or without Fe(III)-EDTA at 0.08 mM for 11 d and subsequently exposed to 0.05 mM Cd for 24 h or 72 h. In S-sufficient plants, Fe deficiency enhanced both root and shoot Cd concentrations and increased GSH and phytochelatin levels. In S-deficient plants, Fe starvation caused a slight increase in Cd concentration, but this change was accompanied neither by an increase in GSH nor by an accumulation of phytochelatins. Release of phytosiderophores, only detectable in Fe-deficient plants, was strongly decreased by S deficiency and further reduced after Cd treatment. In roots Cd exposure increased the expression of the high affinity sulphate transporter gene (HvST1) regardless of the S supply, and the expression of the Fe deficiency-responsive genes, HvYS1 and HvIDS2, irrespective of Fe supply. In conclusion, adequate S availability is necessary to cope with Fe deficiency and Cd toxicity in barley plants. Moreover, it appears that in Fe-deficient plants grown in the presence of Cd with limited S supply, sulphur may be preferentially employed in the pathway for biosynthesis of phytosiderophores, rather than for phytochelatin production.