Iron Nutrition in Plants and Rhizospheric Microorganisms

Animals including humans are highly dependent on plants to provide many different nutrients including iron in a useable form. Additionally, plants are used to support the growth of animals and obtaining high crop yields via optimal plant growth is an economic necessity. Thus, it is crucial to understand the role of iron in plant nutrition. This book provides comprehensive reviews on topics of plant-iron nutrition that are being addressed by different laboratories around the world. As one can see, the area of plant-iron nutrition is highly interdisciplinary, involving scientists of various fields of knowledge. Plant biologists are needed to characterize iron translocation throughout the plant following root iron uptake and to examine the regulation of iron-stimulated activities that influence crop yield and quality. Plant geneticists are contributing to the area of plant-iron nutrition by developing model systems to aid our understanding of the complex activities of the individual plant. Soil chemists are examining the interactions between iron and various minerals and organic matter soil components in the root zone. Microbiologists are providing a crucial perspective on how the interactions between the plant and soil microorganisms are important in plant iron nutrition. Additionally, the cycling of iron in the terrestrial environment is being examined by ecologists and related scientists. While it may be ideal to systematically examine iron nutrition in a single plant species, research is influenced by local or regional requirements.