Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 10, 2026

A Colorimetric Method for Measuring Iron Content in Plants
Published on: September 7, 2018
New routes for plant iron mining.
Catherine Curie1, Stéphane Mari1
1Laboratoire de Biochimie et Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes CNRS UMR5004/INRA/Université Montpellier/SupAgro, Place Viala, 34060, Montpellier CEDEX 1, France.
Plants manage iron (Fe) uptake through cell-controlled extraction from apoplast and vacuoles, alongside plasma membrane transport. Root and embryo strategies involve dynamic Fe reservoirs, coumarin secretion, and hormonal regulation for Fe assimilation.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Nutrient Uptake
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Iron (Fe) is essential for plant growth, but its bioavailability is often limited.
- Plant Fe nutrition involves complex mechanisms for uptake, transport, and storage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent insights into diverse Fe uptake and transport routes in plants.
- To highlight integrated strategies in root and embryo Fe nutrition.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on plant Fe nutrition.
- Analysis of molecular and physiological responses to Fe deficiency.
Main Results:
- Root Fe-deficiency response involves apoplastic Fe reservoirs, coumarin secretion for solubilization, and altered suberization.
- Ethylene and abscisic acid (ABA) regulate these root responses, indicating an integrated strategy.
- Embryo Fe nutrition utilizes ascorbate efflux for Fe reduction and vacuolar Fe storage.
Conclusions:
- Plant Fe uptake is a multifaceted process involving extracytoplasmic pools and transport machinery.
- Hormonal regulation plays a key role in adapting to Fe shortage.
- Embryos possess unique mechanisms for Fe acquisition and management.
Related Concept Videos
Short-distance Transport of Resources
Key Elements for Plant Nutrition
Water and Mineral Acquisition
The Early Endosome: Endocytosis of Transferrin
The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition
Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation

