Iron Nutrition in Plants and Rhizospheric Microorganisms

Animals including humans are highly dependent on plants to provide many different nutrients including iron in a useable form. Plant biologists are needed to characterize iron translocation throughout the plant following root iron uptake and to examine the regulation of iron-stimulated activities that influence crop yield and quality. This book uses an interdisciplinary approach to provide a comprehensive review on the status of iron nutrition in plants. International scientists discuss research on acquisition of iron by strategy I and strategy II plants. These reviews summarize a variety of plant species and include both laboratory and field observations. Topics covered in this book include: plants as a source of iron for animals and humans, iron translocation in the plants, iron-stimulated activities that influence crop yield and fruit tree productivity, iron uptake by plants as influenced by microorganisms (i.e. free living soil microorganisms, symbiotic nitrogen-fixing and pathogenic bacteria), the role of plant hormones in iron transport, iron-metal competition in phytoremediation, root zone activities involving interactions between minerals and organic matter, the role of microbial siderophores in rhizospheric iron cycling, iron storage as phytoferritin, proteomic and metabolic studies associated with iron stress response, methods for studying iron metabolism including stable isotopes, and the correction of iron deficiency through the use of synthetic or natural chelates. Additionally, chapters summarize the use of Arabidopsis to enhance our understanding of the complex activities associated with iron metabolism in plants. This book should serve to stimulate continued exploration of iron activities in plant biology and rhizospheric environments. Animals including humans are highly dependent on plants to provide many different nutrients including iron in a useable form. Additionally, plants are used to support the growth of animals and obtaining high crop yields via optimal plant growth is an economic necessity. Thus, it is crucial to understand the role of iron in plant nutrition. This book provides comprehensive reviews on topics of plant-iron nutrition that are being addressed by different laboratories around the world. As one can see, the area of plant-iron nutrition is highly interdisciplinary, involving scientists of various fields of knowledge. Plant biologists are needed to characterize iron translocation throughout the plant following root iron uptake and to examine the regulation of iron-stimulated activities that influence crop yield and quality. Plant geneticists are contributing to the area of plant-iron nutrition by developing model systems to aid our understanding of the complex activities of the individual plant. Soil chemists are examining the interactions between iron and various minerals and organic matter soil components in the root zone. Microbiologists are providing a crucial perspective on how the interactions between the plant and soil microorganisms are important in plant iron nutrition. Additionally, the cycling of iron in the terrestrial environment is being examined by ecologists and related scientists. While it may be ideal to systematically examine iron nutrition in a single plant species, research is influenced by local or regional requirements.