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1: Plant Physiol. 2008 Jul;147(3):1181-91. Epub 2008 May 8.
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The effect of iron on the primary root elongation of Arabidopsis during phosphate deficiency.

Ward JT, Lahner B, Yakubova E, Salt DE, Raghothama KG.

Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-1165, USA.

Root architecture differences have been linked to the survival of plants on phosphate (P)-deficient soils, as well as to the improved yields of P-efficient crop cultivars. To understand how these differences arise, we have studied the root architectures of P-deficient Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana Columbia-0) plants. A striking aspect of the root architecture of these plants is that their primary root elongation is inhibited when grown on P-deficient medium. Here, we present evidence suggesting that this inhibition is a result of iron (Fe) toxicity. When the Fe concentration in P-deficient medium is reduced, we observe elongation of the primary root without an increase in P availability or a corresponding change in the expression of P deficiency-regulated genes. Recovery of the primary root elongation is associated with larger plant weights, improved ability to take up P from the medium, and increased tissue P content. This suggests that manipulating Fe availability to a plant could be a valuable strategy for improving a plant's ability to tolerate P deficiency.

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PMID: 18467463 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PMCID: PMC2442553