Abstract
Iron‐efficient Coker 227 oat responds to Fe‐deficiency stress by producing a phytosiderophore that solubilizes Fe while Fe‐inefficient TAM 0–312 does not. WF9 and ys1 corn are also Fe efficient and inefficient, respectively, but neither produce much phytosiderophore during Fe‐deficiency stress. The objective of this study was to determine if phytosiderophore released by Fe‐deficiency stressed Coker 227 oat would increase the availability of Fe to TAM 0–312 oat, WF9 corn, or ys1 corn. These cultivars were grown in a modified Steinberg solution with 1.2 mg/L Fe and in ratios of (Coker:TAM) 28:0, 21:7, 14:14, 7:21, and 0:28 and (Coker:corn) of 28:0, 21:1, 14:2, 7:3 and 0:4. Daily chlorosis ratings and periodic measurements of leaf and root Fe contents and phytosiderophore release were determined. Iron solubilized by the phytosiderophore released by Fe‐stressed Coker 227 oat made Fe available to WF9 corn at the 21:1 and 14:2 Coker:WF9 ratios as reflected in chlorosis ratings and leaf Fe contents, but ys1. was incapable of obtaining Fe at any of the ratios. TAM 0–312 oat was less efficient in obtaining Fe from Fe‐phytosiderophore than was WF9 corn. As the ratio of Coker:WF9 and Coker:TAM decreased, Coker 227 oat either became more cholorotic and/or leaf Fe declined, but this did not occur with Coker 227 growing with yS1 corn. Thus, ability to absorb Fe from Fe‐phytosiderophore released by Fe‐stressed Coker 227 oat was in the order WF9 corn > TAM 0–312 oat > ys1 corn.