Does the Sulfur Assimilation Pathway Play a Role in the Response to Fe Deficiency in Maize (Zea mays L.) Plants?

Abstract

The finding that the methionine is the sole precursor of the mugineic acid family phytosiderophores induced us to evaluate whether sulfur assimilation pathway has a role in plant response to Fe deficiency. Maize plants were grown for 10 days in nutrient solution (NS) containing 80 µM Fe in the presence (+S) or absence (?S) of sulfate. After removing the root extraplasmatic iron pool, half of the plants of each treatment (+S and ?S) were transferred to a new Fe deficient NS (0.1 µM final Fe concentration) (?Fe). The remaining plants of each pre‐culture condition (+S and ?S) were transferred to a new NS containing 80 µM Fe (+Fe). Leaves were collected 4 and 24 hours from the beginning of Fe deprivation period and used for chemical analysis and enzyme assays. Results showed that iron content in the leaves was lower in plants grown in S‐deficiency than in those grown in the presence of the macro‐nutrient. Iron deprivation produced an increase in the level of SH compounds in both nutritive conditions (+S and ?S). These observations are suggestive of some relationship between S nutrition and Fe uptake. For this reason, we next investigated the influence of Fe availability on S metabolism through the evaluation of changes in ATPs and OASs activity, the first and the last enzyme of S assimilation pathway respectively. Results showed that S‐starvation increased the activity of both enzymes, but this effect disappeared in plants upon Fe deficiency suggesting that S metabolism is sensitive to Fe availability. Taken together these evidences suggest that S metabolism is sensitive to soil Fe‐availability for plant nutrition and support the hypothesis of S involvement in plant response to Fe deprivation.     

Different Forms of Potassium and Their Contributions toward Potassium Uptake under Long-Term Maize (Zea mays L.)–Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) Rotation on an Inceptisol

In a long-term fertilizer experiment at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, with maize, wheat, and cowpea, various forms of potassium (K) and their contribution toward K uptake were found to be affected by fertilizer use and intensive cropping. The treatments included for the study were a control, 100% nitrogen (N), 100% N–phosphorus (P), 50% NPK, 100% NPK, 100% NPK + farmyard manure (FYM at 15 t ha^?1 to maize only), and 150% NPK. The concentration of nonexchangeable K was greatest, followed by exchangeable K and water-soluble K. The study revealed no significant change in water-soluble K concentration in surface soil compared to N, NP, and control, indicating existence of an equilibrium between different K forms. Application of 100% NPK significantly increased water-soluble K concentration in surface soil compared to N, NP, and control treatments after maize, wheat, and cowpea. Application of NPK + FYM and 150% NPK resulted in greater quantities of all the K forms as compared to other treatments. Among the three forms, water-soluble K contributed predominantly to K uptake by maize and wheat; however, nonexchangeable K contributed significantly to K uptake by cowpea.     

rDNA cytogenetics and some structural variability in an <Emphasis Type="Italic">Avena barbata</Emphasis> Pott ex Link × <Emphasis Type="Italic">A. sativa</Emphasis> subsp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">nuda</Emphasis> (L.) Gillet et Magne amphiploid after 5-azaC treatment

The paper reports on the study of DNA methylation patterns in chromosomes of an octoploid selection obtained from an amphiploid Avena barbata × Avena sativa ssp. nuda, their alteration and plant structural changes induced by 5-azacytidine (5-azaC) treatment. Subtelomere/telomere regions and some chromosomes remained heavily methylated after this practise. The increased concentration of 5-azaC strengthened the demethylation process. NOR rDNA loci on five and 5S rDNA doubled loci on three pairs of chromosomes were detected. Some 5S loci were colocalised with NORs. The number of active NORs was increased by one homologous pair after demethylation and this was related to minor loci. The NORs were mainly located on A/D genomes. Patterns of nucleoli fusion varied between main and lateral roots and demethylation increased the number of uninucleolar nuclei. Seed germination was inhibited and plant growth decreased under demethylation. 5-azaC also induced distinct anomalies in endosperm development. Extensive parts of the tissue were composed of defected cells or remained empty. Polyploidised clones of starchy or aleurone cells were observed, as were aleurone cells exhibiting new rare phenotypes.