Location: Application Technology Research
Project Number: 5082-21000-001-010-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Aug 1, 2018
End Date: Jul 31, 2021
Objective:
To evaluate changes in iron uptake proteins and identify relationships between iron uptake proteins, iron uptake rate, iron concentration, and visual deficiency or toxicity symptoms as a function of substrate pH.
Approach:
Some ornamental crop species are susceptible to low pH-induced iron toxicity (e.g., geranium and marigold) or high pH-induced iron deficiency (e.g., petunia and calibrachoa), while others are tolerant of a wide pH range. We will utilize an iron transporter-specific antibody to quantify changes in root iron uptake protein levels in pH tolerant and susceptible species at varying pH. In addition, we will examine potential correlations between iron transporter levels, iron uptake rate, root and shoot iron content, plant growth, and the severity of visual deficiency or toxicity symptoms.
