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Deciphering the Mechanisms of Endophyte-Mediated Biofortification of Fe and Zn in Wheat

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Abstract

An investigation was carried out to understand the mechanism(s) underlying enhanced Fe or Zn uptake in low Fe–Zn accumulator wheat genotype 4HPYT-414, due to inoculation of siderophore-producing and zinc-solubilizing endophytes—Arthrobacter sulfonivorans DS-68 and Arthrobacter sp. DS-179. Root anatomical features, using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), qualitative and quantitative aspects of production of organic acids and sugars in root exudates, and expression of TaZIP genes were analysed to relate to endophyte-mediated higher concentrations of Fe and Zn in the roots and shoots of wheat plants. TEM studies revealed that the endodermis, cortical region, root hair extension, xylem and xylem vessels, pericycle and vascular bundles were more pronounced and thicker in inoculated treatments, as compared to control. The organic acid profile of root exudates revealed five types of organic acids, with citric acid being predominant. Inoculation of A. sulfonivorans and Arthrobacter sp. brought about 5- and eightfold increases in the amounts of acids, respectively, as compared to control, particularly citric acid, succinic acid and acetic acid. Among the four TaZIP genes targeted, expression was achieved only for TaZIP3 and TaZIP7 genes, which showed 1–2 fold increases in the inoculated treatments. The results clearly indicated that the endophyte-mediated overexpression of TaZIP3 and TaZIP7 genes in roots and shoots, and the observed anatomical and exudate changes were acting synergistically in facilitating higher Fe and Zn translocation in roots and shoots.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to ICAR—Indian Agricultural Research Institute and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi for providing financial support through NASF project. The Division of Microbiology, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi and ICAR-NRCPB are gratefully acknowledged for the facilities provided, during the present study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Microbiology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India

    Devendra Singh, Radha Prasanna, Surender Singh, Rajeev Kaushik & Ram Nageena Singh

  2. Division of Plant Pathology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India

    Neelam Geat

  3. ICAR-National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Microorganisms, Maunath Bhanjan, Uttar Pradesh, 275101, India

    Mahendra Vikram Singh Rajawat & Anil Kumar Saxena

  4. ICAR-National Research Centre for Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110012, India

    Mahesh M. Mahajan & Kanika Kumar

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  1. Devendra Singh
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  2. Neelam Geat
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  3. Mahendra Vikram Singh Rajawat
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  4. Mahesh M. Mahajan
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  5. Radha Prasanna
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  6. Surender Singh
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  7. Rajeev Kaushik
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  8. Ram Nageena Singh
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  9. Kanika Kumar
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  10. Anil Kumar Saxena
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Correspondence to Anil Kumar Saxena.

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344_2017_9716_MOESM1_ESM.tif

Supplementry Fig. 1. Chromatogram illustrating organic acids of wheat root exudates by HPLC: (A) Control; (B) Arthrobacter sulfonivorans DS-68, (C) Arthrobacter sp. DS-179 (TIF 363 KB)

344_2017_9716_MOESM2_ESM.tif

Supplementry Fig. 2. Chromatogram of sugars of root exudates by HPLC: (A) Control; (B) Arthrobacter sulfonivorans DS-68, (C) Arthrobacter sp. DS-179 (TIF 366 KB)

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Singh, D., Geat, N., Rajawat, M.V.S. et al. Deciphering the Mechanisms of Endophyte-Mediated Biofortification of Fe and Zn in Wheat. J Plant Growth Regul 37, 174–182 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-017-9716-4

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