Radiochemical evidence validates the involvement of root released organic acid and phytosiderphore in regulating the uptake of phosphorus and certain metal micronutrients in wheat under phosphorus and iron deficiency

Abstract

P availability determined the root uptake and root–shoot translocation of micronutrients. Total root 14C exudation was significantly higher under P−Fe− across wheat cultivars. Although malate than citrate was the predominant constituent of the root exudates in wheat, their release was higher under P− than P+ condition, irrespective of the Fe availability.A higher release of phytosiderophores was measured under P−Fe− than P+Fe+ for bread than durum wheat. The study highlights the role of root exudates in influencing the mobilization, uptake and translocation of not only P and Fe but also Mn and to some extent Cu, particularly under the nutrient-starved (P−Fe−) condition of growth.