Role of Iron in Plant Nutrition, Growth and Metabolism

Dear Colleagues,

Limited iron (Fe) availability in soils is one of the main limiting factors of yield and quality of agricultural productions worldwide, particularly in alkaline and calcareous soils. This poor availability is closely linked to physical, chemical, and biological processes within the rhizosphere as a result of soil–microorganism–plant interactions. Iron deficiency induces several mechanisms in soil organisms resulting in enhanced release of high and low molecular weight organic compounds termed exudates to increase the solubility of poorly available Fe pools and triggering chemical, biochemical, and physical interactions at the soil–root interface. Furthermore, Fe deficiency impairs plant ionome at the whole, since synergisms and/or antagonisms among elements occur in the plant–soils system. An adequate availability of Fe is needed to guarantee an optimum plant performance and growth, yet the chemical form of the metal, i.e., its speciation, is also crucial and able to influence gene regulation, metabolic activity and elements distribution within cells and within plants.

Iron shortage in plants might be prevented by the application of Fe fertilizers either at the soil or leaf level. Fertilization of Fe has been lately also used not only to counteract limited Fe uptake but also to enhance Fe allocation obtaining Fe-enriched crops (i.e., biofortification).  

This Special Issue focuses on the following aspects: (i) rhizosphere processes driving Fe availability, including mineral weathering and Fe mobilization from soil solid phases; (ii) plant–soil–microorganisms interactions, focusing on beneficial microbial communities and their association with plants, which in turn influence plant Fe uptake and allocation; (iii) nutrients interactions in soil and plant triggered by Fe shortage; (v) Fe fertilizers used in agricultural production systems to enhance Fe availability and acquisition by crops including aspects of biofortification; and (vi) innovative analytical methods for Fe quantification and speciation is soil and plants.

Review articles and viewpoints related to the topic of the Special Issue are also welcome.

Prof. Tanja Mimmo
Dr. Roberto Terzano
Dr. Gianpiero Vigani
Guest Editors

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