Insights into the physiological and molecular responses of plants to iron and zinc deficiency

Abstract

Iron (Fe) and Zinc (Zn) are vital micronutrients for plants and their deficiency causes severe impairments in physiological and biochemical responses of plants. In response to stress emerging due to their deficiency, plants evolve different strategies to regulate the homeostasis network to ensure optimum Fe and Zn uptake. Fe and Zn biofortification of food crops offer a promising approach to alleviate the malnutrition caused due to their deficiency. However, the complex mechanism underlying the fine-tuned processes of mineral uptake, transport and accumulation in seeds involve a multitude of regulatory insights including alteration in root morphology, nutrient partitioning and subsequent accumulation in seeds mediated by different transporters, chelators, transcription factors and post transcriptional regulation which act in a coordinated manner to elicit responses in plants regulating Fe and Zn acquisition. These insights into the regulatory mechanisms will provide a better understanding for improving the Fe- and Zn- use efficiencies, maximization of Fe and Zn bioavailability in edible parts, the deficiency tolerance attributes and subsequent Fe and Zn- biofortification in plants.