Plant strategies to mine iron from alkaline substrates

Abstract In concert with oxygen, soil alkalinity strongly restricts the availability of iron, an essential nutrient a multitude functions in living organisms. addition to its role mitochondrial energy metabolism and as cofactor for enzymes, plants iron also plays key roles photosynthesis is required chlorophyll biosynthesis. The ability thrive calcareous soils, referred calcicole behaviour, readout amalgam traits which efficient foraging decisive factor. Recently, well-established concept two distinct uptake strategies, phylogenetically separating grasses from other land plants, was expanded by discovery auxiliary mechanisms that extend range edaphic conditions species can adapt. Secretion tailor-made cocktail iron-mobilising metabolites into rhizosphere, composition responsive suite internal cues, allows survival soils through competitive acquisition strategy, includes intricate interactions consortium associated microorganisms in, on, around roots. This versatile, reciprocal plant-microbiome interplay affects mobilisation directly, but collaterally impacting growth, fitness, health host. Here, we review multifaceted regulation taking consideration specific constraints alkaline soils. Knowledge on how extract such sets stage better understanding ecological processes combatting malnutrition humans.