Abstract
The calcifuge and calcicole character of wild plants has been related to nutrient availability shortages, including iron (Fe)-deficiency. Surprisingly, just a few studies examined the relation between root Fe uptake and plant distribution in different soil types. We assessed the root Fe acquisition efficiency of two Ulmus species with calcareous (Ulmus minor) and siliceous (U. laevis) soil distribution patterns in the Iberian Peninsula. Seedlings of both elm species were grown hydroponically with different Fe concentrations during 6 weeks. Plant physiological responses to Fe-limiting conditions were evaluated as were the ferric reductase activity and proton (H+) extrusion capacity of the roots. Iron deprived elm seedlings of both species were stunted and suffered severe Fe-chlorosis symptoms. After Fe re-supply leaf chlorophyll concentrations rose according to species-dependent patterns. While U. minor leaves and seedlings re-greened evenly, U. laevis did so along the nerves of new growing leaves. U. minor had a higher root ferric reductase activity and H+-extrusion capability than U. laevis and maintained a better nutrient balance when grown under Fe-limiting conditions. The two elm species were found to have different Fe acquisition efficiencies which may be related to their natural distribution in calcareous and siliceous soils of the Iberian Peninsula.
Highlights
Ulmus laevis is a Northern Hemisphere genus of importance in the ecological context of the Iberian Peninsula (García-Nieto et al, 2000)
PLANT PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES For the two species, Fe-supply led to a steep Chl concentration increment during the first 2 weeks (Figure 2), which was www.frontiersin.org maintained until the end of the experimental period
Both elm species fully supplied with iron (20 μM Fe treatment) were green, had a healthy appearance and a large size during the whole experimental period (Table 1, Figure 3)
Summary
Ulmus laevis is a Northern Hemisphere genus of importance in the ecological context of the Iberian Peninsula (García-Nieto et al, 2000). Despite U. minor being native to Spain (Richens and Jeffers, 1986; Gil and García-Nieto, 1990), its natural distribution is not clear since this species has been extensively planted for over 2,000 years, first for training vines and later for ornamental purposes (Gil et al, 2004). U. minor can be found in the whole Iberian Peninsula in azonal flood-plain forests, linked to shallow water-tables, since it tolerates floods as well as summer droughts. It preferentially grows in Eastern Spain (Figure 1) were there is an abundance of calcareous, alkaline soils (Richens and Jeffers, 1986). U. laevis grows in acid soils of the Western Iberian Peninsula as riparian forests, which are subjected to seasonal waterlogging and linked to aquifer discharge areas and/or endorheic basins
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