Abstract
Iron (Fe) is a vital element for the survival and proliferation of all plants; therefore, Fe-biofortification by the application of chemical and organic fertilizers is being as an effective approach to fight hidden hunger retards the growth and development of crop plants. Two experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of potassium and exogenous organic acids on iron uptake by two different plants: one is monocotyledon, maize (Zea mays L.) and the second is dicotolydon pea (Pisum sativum L.) grown under controlled conditions. The seedlings were grown in sand culture in a greenhouse experiment and irrigated with one-tenth strength modified nutrient solution of Hoagland and Arnon as a base solution (pH 7.5), containing different iron treatments (0, 1, and 5 ppm as FeSO4·7H2O) combined with potassium nutrition (0, 5, 10, and 50 ppm as K2SO4). After 30 days, the best interaction treatment was selected for further experiment including 5.0 ppm Fe as FeSO4.7H2O and 50 ppm K as K2SO4 in combination with 1 × 10-5 mole/liter of one of the following organic acids: Citric acid, Oxalic acid, Formic acid, Acetic acid, Propionic acid, Tartaric acid, Succinic acid, Fumaric acid, Malic acid, Glutamic acid, besides the free organic acid nutrient solution as a control. Results revealed that the interaction between 5.0 ppm Fe and 50 ppm K was the best interaction treatment for increasing biomass production and iron uptake of maize and pea seedlings under applied condition. Furthermore, exogenous application of organic acids improves uptake and translocation of nutrient such as iron, potassium and phosphorus by the maize and pea plants. In conclusion, potassium nutrition and exogenous organic acids have the potential to stimulate Fe-uptake of monocot and dicot plants and mediate iron-biofortified crops.
Highlights
Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient for plants and all other living organisms
Two experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of potassium and exogenous organic acids on iron uptake by two different plants: one is monocotyledon, maize (Zea mays L.) and the second is dicotolydon pea (Pisum sativum L.) grown under controlled conditions
After 30 days, the best interaction treatment was selected for further experiment including 5.0 ppm Fe as FeSO4∙7H2O and 50 ppm K as K2SO4 in combination with 1 × 10−5 mole/liter of one of the following organic acids: Citric acid, Oxalic acid, Formic acid, Acetic acid, Propionic acid, Tartaric acid, Succinic acid, Fumaric acid, Malic acid, Glutamic acid, besides the free organic acid nutrient solution as a control
Summary
Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient for plants and all other living organisms. It is absorbed by plant roots as Fe2+ and Fe3+ [1] [2]. Total soil-Fe content would be sufficient to meet Fe needs of plants; most of the Fe in the soil is present as inorganic forms, poorly available for root, exposing the plant to severe deficiency of this nutrient, which results in the characteristic chlorosis symptoms [3] [4] [5]. Another mechanism that increases Fe availability to plants exists; otherwise, crops grown on almost all soils would be Fe deficient. In addition to pH and soil water or aeration as measured by redox, soil organic matter and interactions with other ions in soil solution affect the availability of Fe [4]
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