Release of zinc mobilizing root exudates in different plant species as affected by zinc nutritional status

The effect of zinc nutritional status of the plant on the release of zinc mobilizing root exudates was studied in various dicotyledonous (apple, bean, cotton, sunflower, tomato) and graminaceous (barley, wheat) plant species grown in nutrient solutions. In all species, zinc deficiency increased root exudation of amino acids, sugars and phenolics. However, the root exudates of zinc deficient dicotyledonous species did not enhance zinc mobilization from a synthetic resin (Zn chelite), or a calcareous soil, although mobilization of iron from Fe^III hydroxide was increased. By contrast in the graminaceous species, root exudates from zinc deficient plants greatly increased mobilization of both zinc and iron from the various sources. These differences in capability of mobilization of zinc and iron between the plant species are the result of an enhanced release of phytosiderophores with zinc deficiency in the graminaceous species.