Register      Login
Crop and Pasture Science Crop and Pasture Science Society
Plant sciences, sustainable farming systems and food quality
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Effects of different foliar iron applications on activity of ferric chelate reductase and concentration of iron in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas)

Xiaoli Tan A C , Xin Yang B , Yinan Xie A C , Han Xiao A C , Mengjiao Liu A C and Lianghuan Wu https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5811-6805 A C D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.

B Shangrao Key Lab. of Quality Rice, School of Life Science, Shangrao Normal University, Shangrao, Jiangxi 334001, China.

C Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.

D Corresponding author. Email: finm@zju.edu.cn

Crop and Pasture Science 70(4) 359-366 https://doi.org/10.1071/CP18371
Submitted: 4 August 2018  Accepted: 2 March 2019   Published: 30 April 2019

Abstract

We studied the relative efficacy of different forms of foliar iron (Fe) fertilisation on leaf re-greening in Fe-deficient, purple-fleshed sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) varieties xuzi8 and xuzi6. Activities of ferric chelate reductase (FCR) and concentrations of Fe were measured in the leaves and roots at intervals over 5 days to quantify recovery from leaf chlorosis. Freshly expanded and chlorotic leaves were immersed in one of three different fertiliser compounds containing 9 mm Fe: FeSO4, Fe2(SO4)3, Fe(III)-EDTA. An Fe-sufficient treatment and an Fe-deficient control were included. The experiment had a completely randomised block design with five replications per treatment and was conducted in a sunlit glasshouse. For variety xuzi8, leaf FCR activity in the Fe2(SO4)3 treatment was highest at 1 h after application, and higher than all other treatments, whereas FeSO4 and Fe(III)-EDTA treatments showed their highest FCR at day 5 after application, both significantly higher than the Fe2(SO4)3 and control treatments. Furthermore, leaf Fe concentration reached a maximum in the FeSO4 treatment at day 1, and in the Fe2(SO4)3 treatment at day 3. By contrast, root Fe concentration was relatively constant and lower in the foliar Fe treatments than the Fe-sufficient and -deficient treatments. For variety xuzi6, leaf SPAD was higher with the Fe2(SO4)3 than the FeSO4 treatment at day 5 after application. In general, FCR activity and Fe concentrations in roots and leaves of xuzi6 were higher than those of xuzi8. Variations in leaf Fe concentrations were similar for both the FeSO4 and Fe2(SO4)3 treatments of the two varieties. Maximum leaf Fe levels in xuzi6 were ~4-fold those in xuzi8. The results of the study suggest that foliar-applied Fe2(SO4)3 was the most effective compound at correcting Fe-deficiency symptoms. The higher leaf and root FCR activity and Fe concentration in xuzi6 might explain its higher tolerance to Fe deficiency and better re-greening than xuzi8.

Additional keywords: enzyme activity, foliar spray, genotypic variation, iron chlorosis.


References

Abd El-Baky MMH, Ahmed AA, El-Nemr MA, Zaki MF (2010) Effect of potassium fertilizer and foliar zinc application. Research Journal of Agriculture and Biological Sciences 6, 386–394.

Al-Kanh FR, Abdullah AN (2008) Effect of inorganic chelated iron fertilizers on growth and yield components of corn (Zea mays L.). Journal of Agriculture and Environment 7, 195–206.

Borowski E, Michałek S (2011) The effect of foliar fertilization of French bean with iron salts and urea on some physiological processes in plants relative to iron uptake and translocation in leaves. Acta Scientiarum Polonorum. Hortorum Cultus 10, 183–193.

Bosibori B (2011) Determination of the regeneration potential of selected farmer-preferred sweet potato genotypes in Kenya via somatic embryogenesis. MSc Dissertation, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya.

Bouis HE, Hotz C, Mcclafferty B, Meenakshi JV, Pfeiffer WH, Thompson B, Amoroso L (2011) Biofortification: a new tool to reduce micronutrient malnutrition Food and Nutrition Bulletin 32, S31–S40.
Biofortification: a new tool to reduce micronutrient malnutritionCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21717916PubMed |

Branton D, Jacobson L (1962) Iron transport in pea plants. Plant Physiology 37, 539–545.
Iron transport in pea plants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16655691PubMed |

Brüggemann W, Maas-Kantel K, Moog PR (1993) Iron uptake by leaf mesophyll cells: the role of the plasma membrane-bound ferric-chelate reductase Planta 190, 151–155.
Iron uptake by leaf mesophyll cells: the role of the plasma membrane-bound ferric-chelate reductaseCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

de la Guardia M, Alcántara E (2002) A comparison of ferric-chelate reductase and chlorophyll and growth ratios as indices of selection of quince, pear and olive genotypes under iron deficiency stress. Plant and Soil 241, 49–56.
A comparison of ferric-chelate reductase and chlorophyll and growth ratios as indices of selection of quince, pear and olive genotypes under iron deficiency stress.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Fernández V, Del Río V, Pumariño L, Igartua E, Abadía J, Abadía A (2008) Foliar fertilization of peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) with different iron formulations: effects on re-greening, iron concentration and mineral composition in treated and untreated leaf surfaces. Scientia Horticulturae 117, 241–248.
Foliar fertilization of peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) with different iron formulations: effects on re-greening, iron concentration and mineral composition in treated and untreated leaf surfaces.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Fernández V, Orera I, Abadía J, Abadía A (2009) Foliar iron fertilisation of fruit trees: present knowledge and future perspectives—a review. The Journal of Horticultural Science & Biotechnology 84, 1–6.
Foliar iron fertilisation of fruit trees: present knowledge and future perspectives—a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Fuentes M, Bacaicoa E, Rivero M, Zamarreno AM, Garcia-Mina JM (2018) Complementary evaluation of iron deficiency root responses to assess the effectiveness of different iron foliar applications for chlorosis remediation. Frontiers of Plant Science 9, 351
Complementary evaluation of iron deficiency root responses to assess the effectiveness of different iron foliar applications for chlorosis remediation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

He W, Shohag MJ, Wei Y, Feng Y, Yang X (2013) Iron concentration, bioavailability, and nutritional quality of polished rice affected by different forms of foliar iron fertilizer. Food Chemistry 141, 4122–4126.
Iron concentration, bioavailability, and nutritional quality of polished rice affected by different forms of foliar iron fertilizer.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23993594PubMed |

İpek M, Aras S, Arıkan Ş, Eşitken A, Pırlak L, Dönmez MF, Turan M (2017) Root plant growth promoting rhizobacteria inoculations increase ferric chelate reductase (FCR) activity and Fe nutrition in pear under calcareous soil conditions. Scientia Horticulturae 219, 144–151.
Root plant growth promoting rhizobacteria inoculations increase ferric chelate reductase (FCR) activity and Fe nutrition in pear under calcareous soil conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Kakei Y, Yamaguchi I, Takahashi M, Nakanishi H, Mori S, Nishizawa NK 2009. Development of a highly sensitive, quick, and easy LC-ESI-TOF-MS method to quantify nicotianamine and 2′-deoxymugineic acid in plants. In ‘Proceedings International Plant Nutrition Colloquium XVI’. Sacramento, CA, USA. (International Plant Nutrition Council)

Kobayashi T, Nishizawa NK (2012) Iron uptake, translocation, and regulation in higher plants. Annual Review of Plant Biology 63, 131–152.
Iron uptake, translocation, and regulation in higher plants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22404471PubMed |

Larbi A (2001) Technical advance: reduction of Fe(III)-chelates by mesophyll leaf disks of sugar beet. Multi-component origin and effects of Fe deficiency. Plant & Cell Physiology 42, 94–105.
Technical advance: reduction of Fe(III)-chelates by mesophyll leaf disks of sugar beet. Multi-component origin and effects of Fe deficiency.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lee SR, Oh MM, Park SA (2016) Ferric-chelate reductase activity is a limiting factor in iron uptake in spinach and kale roots. Horticulture, Environment and Biotechnology 57, 462–469.
Ferric-chelate reductase activity is a limiting factor in iron uptake in spinach and kale roots.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Li L, Cai Q, Yu D, Guo C (2011) Overexpression of AtFRO6 in transgenic tobacco enhances ferric chelate reductase activity in leaves and increases tolerance to iron-deficiency chlorosis. Molecular Biology Reports 38, 3605–3613.
Overexpression of AtFRO6 in transgenic tobacco enhances ferric chelate reductase activity in leaves and increases tolerance to iron-deficiency chlorosis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21104018PubMed |

Marschner H (1995) ‘Mineral nutrition of higher plants.’ 2nd edn. (Academic Press: Amsterdam)

Morrissey J, Guerinot ML (2009) Iron uptake and transport in plants: the good, the bad, and the ionome Chemical Reviews 109, 4553–4567.
Iron uptake and transport in plants: the good, the bad, and the ionomeCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19754138PubMed |

Ojeda M, Schaffer B, Davies F (2005) Root and leaf ferric chelate reductase activity in pond apple and soursop. Journal of Plant Nutrition 27, 1381–1393.
Root and leaf ferric chelate reductase activity in pond apple and soursop.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Qaim M, Stein AJ (2009) Biofortification of staple crops: how well does it work and what does it cost? Ernährungs-Umschau 56, 274–280.

Rellán-Álvarez R, Giner-Martinez-Sierra J, Orduna J, Orera I, Rodriguez-Castrillon JA, Garcia-Alonso JI, Abadia J, Alvarez-Fernandez A (2010) Identification of a tri-iron(III), tri-citrate complex in the xylem sap of iron-deficient tomato resupplied with iron: new insights into plant iron long-distance transport. Plant & Cell Physiology 51, 91–102.
Identification of a tri-iron(III), tri-citrate complex in the xylem sap of iron-deficient tomato resupplied with iron: new insights into plant iron long-distance transport.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Rios JJ, Carrasco-Gil S, Abadia A, Abadia J (2016) Using Perls staining to trace the iron uptake pathway in leaves of a Prunus rootstock treated with iron foliar fertilizers. Frontiers of Plant Science 7, 893
Using Perls staining to trace the iron uptake pathway in leaves of a Prunus rootstock treated with iron foliar fertilizers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Robinson NJ, Procter CM, Connolly EL, Guerino ML (1999) A ferric-chelate reductase for iron uptake from soils. Nature 397, 694–697.
A ferric-chelate reductase for iron uptake from soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 10067892PubMed |

Römheld V, Schaaf G (2004) Iron transport in plants: Future research in view of a plant nutritionist and a molecular biologist. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition 50, 1003–1012.
Iron transport in plants: Future research in view of a plant nutritionist and a molecular biologist.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Sharma P, Aggarwal P, Kaur A (2017) Biofortification: A new approach to eradicate hidden hunger. Food Reviews International 33, 1–21.
Biofortification: A new approach to eradicate hidden hunger.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Siminis CI, Stavrakakis MN (2008) Iron induces root and leaf ferric chelate reduction activity in grapevine rootstock 140 ruggeri. HortScience 43, 685–690.
Iron induces root and leaf ferric chelate reduction activity in grapevine rootstock 140 ruggeri.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Vert G (2002) IRT1, an Arabidopsis transporter essential for iron uptake from the soil and for plant growth The Plant Cell Online 14, 1223–1233.
IRT1, an Arabidopsis transporter essential for iron uptake from the soil and for plant growthCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Vert G, Briat JF, Curie C (2001) Arabidopsis IRT2 gene encodes a root-periphery iron transporter. The Plant Journal 26, 181–189.
Arabidopsis IRT2 gene encodes a root-periphery iron transporter.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 11389759PubMed |

Vinoth A, Ravindhran R (2017) Biofortification in millets: a sustainable approach for nutritional security. Frontiers of Plant Science 8, 29
Biofortification in millets: a sustainable approach for nutritional security.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Welch RM (2005) Biotechnology, biofortification, and global health. Food and Nutrition Bulletin 26, S304–S306.
Biotechnology, biofortification, and global health.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

White PJ, Broadley MR (2009) Biofortification of crops with seven mineral elements often lacking in human diets–iron, zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium, selenium and iodine. New Phytologist 182, 49–84.
Biofortification of crops with seven mineral elements often lacking in human diets–iron, zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium, selenium and iodine.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19192191PubMed |

Yi Y, Guerinot ML (1996) Genetic evidence that induction of root Fe(III) chelate reductase activity is necessary for iron uptake under iron deficiency. Plant Journal for Cell and Molecular Biology 10, 835–844.
Genetic evidence that induction of root Fe(III) chelate reductase activity is necessary for iron uptake under iron deficiency.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 8953245PubMed |

Zulu L, Adebola PO, Shegro A, Laurie SM, Pillay M (2013) Progeny evaluation of some sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] breeding lines in South Africa. Acta Horticulturae 247–254.
Progeny evaluation of some sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] breeding lines in South Africa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |