INFLUENCE OF IRON-CHELATES ON TRACE ELEMENT UPTAKE FROM TWO CALCAREOUS SOILS AND THE ACTIVITY OF OXYGEN-SCAVENGING ENZYMES IN LETTUCE

A pot experiment was carried out to determine the ability of lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv. ‘Waldmann's dark green’) to acquire iron (Fe) from Fe-ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid EDDS, both as an isomeric mixture, EDDS(mix), and (S,S)-EDDS], Fe-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and Fe-ethylenediimonobis(2-hydroxyphenyl)acetic acid (EDDHA) in two calcareous soils and consequent effect on the activity of reactive oxygen species scavenging enzymes. Probably due to the rapid biodegradation of S,S]-EDDS, EDDS(mix) provided Fe to lettuce more efficiently. Iron-EDDS(mix) and Fe-EDDHA were equally efficient in increasing Fe concentration in lettuce. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was not affected by Fe deficiency and the activity of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) containing SOD (Cu/ZnSOD) was dependent on lettuce Zn concentration. Ascorbate peroxidase and guaiacol peroxidase activities were increased by Fe-EDDHA, probably due to the steady supply of Fe. Physiologically active Fe pool for lettuce was equally provided by Fe-EDDS(mix) and Fe-EDTA.