Assessment of the potentialities of siderophores produced by Rhizobium radiobacter to cope with iron deficiency in plants grown in calcareous soils

Abstract

[Excerpt] Iron is a crucial micro-nutrient for plants, but is insoluble in calcareous soils, which leads to iron deficiency (iron-induced chlorosis), with losses in crops production [1]. In order to overcome the aforementioned problem, a wide range of synthetic organic chelators belonging to the class of aminopolycarboxylic acids (APCAs) have been used to supplement soils due to their ability to form stable and water-soluble chelates with iron at pH values above 7.0 [2]. However, the fate of the referred molecules in the environment conducts to its accumulation in soils and water due to the chemical and biological recalcitrant nature of these compounds [3]. [...]