Abstract
Iron deficiency is an important environmental factor restricting plant productivity. Selecting tolerant genotypes is one of the possible ways to solve this problem. Many studies reported the effects of Fe deficiency on photosynthesis and anti-oxidative defense system. Yet, there is little information available on the use of these attributes as selective criteria. In the present study, we aim to determine some physiological and biochemical traits conferring Fe deficiency tolerance at leaf level in two lines of Medicago ciliaris. Our results showed that Fe deprivation had a lowering effect on photosynthesis (chlorophyll, photosynthetic electron transport activity and chlorophyll fluorescence) in both lines studied. However, the sensitive line TN8.7 was more affected. Hydrogen peroxide concentration was negatively correlated with the activities of antioxidant enzymes and with the concentration of some non-enzymatic antioxidant. The tolerant line TN11.11 was characterized by a more efficient antioxidant defense system in comparison with the sensitive line TN8.7. The main conclusion of this study is that photosynthesis and antioxidant defense system could be used as physiological and biochemical indicators of Fe deficiency tolerance in Medicago ciliaris plants.
Highlights
Under natural conditions, plants are exposed to many constraints that significantly reduce their growth and productivity
Fe is actively involved in cellular reactions of detoxification because it is present, as an heme moiety, in several anti-oxidant enzymes such as catalases (CAT) and peroxidases (POD), which both ensure the reduction of H2O2, and as metal co-factor in Fe-superoxide dismutase (Fe-SOD) which, together with the other metal isoforms, converts the superoxide anion to H2O2 [4]
In previous works [8]-[10], we found that Fe deficiency tolerance in Medicago ciliaris line TN 11.11 is mainly associated with the activation of root plasma membrane H+-ATPase and Fe (III) reductase
Summary
Plants are exposed to many constraints that significantly reduce their growth and productivity. Fe is actively involved in cellular reactions of detoxification because it is present, as an heme moiety, in several anti-oxidant enzymes such as catalases (CAT) and peroxidases (POD), which both ensure the reduction of H2O2, and as metal co-factor in Fe-superoxide dismutase (Fe-SOD) which, together with the other metal isoforms, converts the superoxide anion to H2O2 [4]. Ascorbate peroxidase, which contains a nonheme Fe [6], uses ascorbate as electron donor in the first step of the ascorbate-glutathione cycle and is considered as the most important plant peroxidase in H2O2 detoxification [7]. We investigate some possible mechanisms responsible for Fe deficiency tolerance at leaf level in two Medicago ciliaris lines in order to identify leaf parameters useful for rapid screening of genotypes. The content of some anti-oxidant molecules, such as glutathione and ascorbic acid, has been determined
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