Iron Deficiency Stress Influences Physiology of Iron Acquisition in Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)

Abstract

Excised roots of `First Lady' marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) grown in an aerated 0 Fe nutrient solution had Fe(III)-DTPA reductase activity 14-fold greater, and an enhanced ability to acidify the rhizosphere than plants grown in a solution containing 0.018 mm (1 ppm) Fe-DTPA. Reductase activity and rhizosphere acidification of plants grown in 0.018 and 0.09 mm Fe-DTPA were similar. Manganese concentration in leaves of plants grown in the 0 Fe treatment was 2-fold greater than in leaves of plants grown in the 0.018 mm Fe-DTPA treatment. These results indicated that `First Lady' marigold is an Fe-efficient plant that possesses both an inducible or adaptive reductase system and the ability to acidify the rhizosphere, and that these Fe-efficiency reactions do not occur when Fe is sufficient. Chemical name used: ferric diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, monosodium salt (Fe-DTPA).