The diversity of iron acquisition strategies of calcifuge plant species from dry acidic grasslands

Mateusz Wala; Jeremi Kołodziejek; Janusz Mazur

doi:10.1016/j.jplph.2022.153898

The diversity of iron acquisition strategies of calcifuge plant species from dry acidic grasslands

J Plant Physiol. 2023 Jan:280:153898. doi: 10.1016/j.jplph.2022.153898. Epub 2022 Dec 13.

Authors

Mateusz Wala¹, Jeremi Kołodziejek², Janusz Mazur³

Affiliations

¹ University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Department of Geobotany and Plant Ecology, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland. Electronic address: mateusz.wala@biol.uni.lodz.pl.
² University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Department of Geobotany and Plant Ecology, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland.
³ University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Laboratory of Computer and Analytical Techniques, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland.

PMID: 36529075
DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2022.153898

Abstract

Although the calcifuge plant species existing in dry acidic grasslands are believed to be prone to iron (Fe)-dependent limitations, little is known about their susceptibility and reaction to pH-dependent Fe starvation. Therefore, the present study examines the effects of contrasting soils (acidic Podzol vs alkaline Rendzina) and Fe supplementation (Fe-HBED) on alkaline substratum (5 and 25 μmol Fe-HBED kg^-1 soil). Five calcifuge dicotyledonous plant species (Alyssum montanum L., Antennaria dioica (L.) Gaertn., Hypochaeris radicata L., Jasione montana L. and Potentilla arenaria Borkh.) were tested in a pot experiment under field conditions. Chlorosis, chlorophyll content, growth and chlorophyll a fluorescence were measured. The elemental composition (contents of Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) of the roots and shoots were analyzed, as well as their specialized metabolites. Two studied species (A. dioica d and J. montana) were susceptible to pH-dependent chlorosis, and this deficiency was successfully diminished by the application of Fe-HBED. Almost all the studied species (except A. montanum) preferred the acidic soil. Fe-HBED treatments were not sufficient for supporting the growth of H. radicata and J. montana in alkaline soil to the same degree as in acidic soil, which suggests additional non-Fe-dependent limitations. Both Fe starvation and Fe over-supplementation caused species-specific changes in chlorophyll a fluorescence. The disturbed Fe acquisition in the alkaline soil was not the sole source of the observed limitations, as the chlorosis-susceptible species demonstrated a complex interaction between Fe, Mn and Zn. The species resistant to lime chlorosis contained greater amounts of specialized metabolites than the susceptible plants. Our findings do not support hypothesis that all calcifuges are susceptible to Fe-dependent chlorosis: calcifuge plant species from dry acidic grasslands appear to have diverse Fe requirements and acquisition strategies.

Keywords: Chlorosis; Grasslands; Iron; Plant nutrition; Podzol; Rendzina.

MeSH terms

Anemia, Hypochromic*
Chlorophyll A
Grassland*
Iron / metabolism
Plant Roots / metabolism

Substances

Fe-HBED
Chlorophyll A
Iron