Does the Sulfur Assimilation Pathway Play a Role in the Response to Fe Deficiency in Maize (Zea mays L.) Plants?

Influence of iron nutrition on sulphur uptake and metabolism in maize (Zea maysL.) roots

“…In particular, we observed (Astolfi et al 2003) that Fe deprivation increased the levels of thiol compounds in maize leaves with a concomitant decrease in the activities of enzymes involved in S metabolism, like ATPsulphurylase and OASsulphydrylase. Graminaceous monocots (Strategy II plants) release chelating compounds, phytosiderophores, in response to Fe deficiency.…”

“…-_... Our previous work (Astolfi et al 2003) provided indication on a possible interaction between S and Fe nutrition in maize leaves. In particular, we observed that imposed Fe deprivation caused an increase in the level of thiol compounds; moreover, an appreciable decrease of both ATPs and OASs was demonstrated as a consequence of Fe deprivation, indicating that S metabolism was sensitive to Fe availability.…”

“…After lad, roots of intact plants were treated in order to remove the extraplasmatic iron pool, following the method described in Bienfait et al (1985) with minor changes described in Astolfi et al (2003). Then, half of the plants of each nutritive condition (+S and -S) was transferred to a new NS containing Fe lJl -EDTA at a final concentration of 0.1 f.1M (-Fe).…”

“…Although the effects of imposed sulphur or iron deficiency on plant metabolism have been extensively studied (Hell and Hillebrand 2001), there are only few reports (Astolfi et al 2003;Bouranis et al 2003) describing the modifications induced by a combined S and Fe deficiency. In particular, we observed (Astolfi et al 2003) that Fe deprivation increased the levels of thiol compounds in maize leaves with a concomitant decrease in the activities of enzymes involved in S metabolism, like ATPsulphurylase and OASsulphydrylase.…”

Nutritional and management related interactions with iron-deficiency stress response mechanisms

“…Astolfi et al (2003) grew maize plants with pretreatments of either -S or +S (in the form of sulfate) and transfelTed half of each treatment to either Fe-deficient or Fe-sufficient solutions. Leaf Fe concentration was lower in the leaves of plants grown in S-deficiency than in those grown in sufficient S. Also, plants grown in Fe-deficient solution accumulated more sulfhydryl (SH) containing compounds in the -S and + S conditions than their respective counterparts in the Fe-sufficient solution, suggesting a potential for lower production of phytosiderophore in S-stressed plants, and leading to increased Fe chlorosis.…”