Abstract
<p>In experiments carried out in a phytotron using aqueous cultures, there was investigated the effect of root or foliar application of different types of iron salts on spinach plant productivity, leaf and root iron content as well as the rate of transport of iron from the roots to the leaves. Plants were grown in Hoagland's solution with a single concentration at two fluorescent light intensities: 290 and 95 µmol × m<sup>-2</sup> × s<sup>-1</sup> PAR. To fertilize the plants, iron was supplied at a dose of 25 mg Fe in the nutrient solution or as foliar sprays using the following salts: 1 – Fe 0; 2 – FeCl<sub>2</sub> × 4H<sub>2</sub>O; 3 – FeCl<sub>3</sub> × 4H<sub>2</sub>O; 4 – FeSO<sub>4</sub> × 7H<sub>2</sub>O; 5 – Fe<sub>2</sub>(SO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>3</sub> × nH<sub>2</sub>O; 6 – Fe-Cit.</p><p>The obtained results showed that the productivity of spinach plants treated with FeCl<sub>2</sub> and FeSO<sub>4</sub> using foliar sprays and of those fed with Fe-citrate (Fe-Cit) through the roots was significantly higher than in the case of the other salts used. Root application of the salts used had a significant effect on root iron content, whereas their foliar application significantly affected leaf iron content. In this respect, ferrous salts were generally the most beneficial, while ferric salts were the least beneficial. The rate of transport of iron to the leaves, irrespective of the method of its application, was clearly higher for ferrous salts and Fe-Cit than for ferric salts. The free proline content in the leaves of plants not fertilized with Fe was 2–4 times lower than in plants supplied with this nutrient. An irradiance of 290 µmol × m<sup>-2</sup> × s<sup>-1</sup> had a positive effect on plant productivity and root Fe content.</p>.
Highlights
IntroductionIron is the second most abundant metal in the Earth’s crust (Sieńko and Plane , 1980)
After aluminium, iron is the second most abundant metal in the Earth’s crust (Sieńko and Plane, 1980)
The mean productivity of plants fertilized with iron salts through the roots and leaves was similar, but the Uptake and transport of iron ions (Fe+2, Fe+3) supplied to roots or leaves in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)
Summary
Iron is the second most abundant metal in the Earth’s crust (Sieńko and Plane , 1980). The existing research shows that dicotyledonous plants and non-grass monocotyledonous species take up iron as Fe+2 and that Fe3+ ions supplied to plants, irrespective whether by root or foliar application, must be first reduced to Fe2+ (Longnecker and Weich , 1990; Rombola et al 2002). After the ligand is separated from the Fe+3 ion, it is subsequently reduced to Fe+2 and taken up in this form On this basis, it should presumed that the application of inorganic ferrous salts (Fe2+) will be more effective in foliar iron fertilization of plants than the application of inorganic ferric salts or chelates of this metal. Fernandez et al (2006) as well as Borowski and Michałek (2010) found ferrous salts [FeSO4, Fe(NO3)2] to show higher effectiveness than ferric salts and iron chelates, whereas R e e d et al (1988) and Rombola et al (2000) observed similar effectiveness of FeIISO4, FeIII-citrate, FeIII-malate, and FeIII-DTPA
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