TITLE:
Influence of Potassium Nutrition and Exogenous Organic Acids on Iron Uptake by Monocot and Dicot Plants
AUTHORS:
Eman F. A. Awad-Allah, Ibrahim H. Elsokkary
KEYWORDS:
Potassium, Organic Acids, Iron Uptake, Biofortification, Sustainability
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Soil Science,
Vol.10 No.10,
October
30,
2020
ABSTRACT: Iron (Fe) is a vital element for the survival and proliferation of all
plants; therefore, Fe-biofortification by the application of chemical and
organic fertilizers is being as an effective approach to fight hidden hunger
retards the growth and development of crop plants. Two experiments were carried
out to investigate the effect of potassium and exogenous organic acids on iron
uptake by two different plants: one is
monocotyledon, maize (Zea
mays L.) and the second is dicotolydon pea (Pisum sativum L.) grown under controlled conditions. The seedlings were grown in sand culture
in a greenhouse experiment and irrigated with one-tenth strength modified
nutrient solution of Hoagland and Arnon as a base solution (pH 7.5), containing
different iron treatments (0, 1, and 5 ppm as FeSO4·7H2O)
combined with potassium nutrition (0, 5, 10, and 50 ppm as K2SO4).
After 30 days, the best interaction treatment was selected for further
experiment including 5.0 ppm Fe as FeSO4.7H2O and 50 ppm
K as K2SO4 in combination with 1 × 10-5 mole/liter of one of the following organic acids:
Citric acid, Oxalic acid, Formic acid, Acetic acid, Propionic acid, Tartaric
acid, Succinic acid, Fumaric acid, Malic acid, Glutamic acid, besides the free
organic acid nutrient solution as a control. Results revealed that the
interaction between 5.0 ppm Fe and 50 ppm K was the best interaction treatment
for increasing biomass production and iron uptake of maize and pea seedlings
under applied condition. Furthermore, exogenous application of organic acids
improves uptake and translocation of nutrient such as iron, potassium and
phosphorus by the maize and pea plants. In conclusion, potassium nutrition and
exogenous organic acids have the potential to stimulate Fe-uptake of monocot
and dicot plants and mediate iron-biofortified crops.