Development of a mugineic acid family phytosiderophore analog as an iron fertilizer

Iron (Fe) is an essential nutrient, but is poorly bioavailable because of its low solubility in alkaline soils; this leads to reduced agricultural productivity. To overcome this problem, we first showed that the soil application of synthetic 2′-deoxymugineic acid, a natural phytosiderophore from the Poaceae, can recover Fe deficiency in rice grown in calcareous soil. However, the high cost and poor stability of synthetic 2′-deoxymugineic acid preclude its agricultural use. In this work, we develop a more stable and less expensive analog, proline-2′-deoxymugineic acid, and demonstrate its practical synthesis and transport of its Fe-chelated form across the plasma membrane by Fe(III)•2’-deoxymugineic acid transporters. Possibility of its use as an iron fertilizer on alkaline soils is supported by promotion of rice growth in a calcareous soil by soil application of metal free proline-2’-deoxymugineic acid.

Efficacy of Iron Fortification to Augment the Nutritional Quality of Some Winter Season Leafy Vegetables

Iron is one of the most important micronutrients essential for human subsistence which is available in our diet through different vegetables (leafy vegetables, leguminous vegetables, cruciferous vegetables, cucurbits, potato, sweet potato, drumstick etc.) but especially the leafy vegetables. The different leafy vegetables are the reservoir of different vitamins and minerals that mostly include calcium, phosphorous and iron. Iron deficiency leads to anaemia is a threat throughout the world, more specifically found in women and children. Enrichment of iron content of these leafy vegetables can be achieved through iron fertilization which may play vital role to alleviate the problem of anaemia. Besides this, less bioavailability of non heme iron content (iron in plants) is also a big challenge. Considering these two factors, an experimental study was conducted in factorial randomized block design with three replications during the winter season of the year of 2018-19 at UBKV, Pundibari, Cooch Behar to evaluate the status of iron enrichment in ten (10) popular green leafy vegetables (Amaranthus, buck wheat leaves, coriander leaves, fenugreek leaves, garden pea leaves, Malva leaves, mustard leaves, onion leaves, palak leaves, radish leaves). Ferrous sulphate heptahydrate (FeSo4, 7H2O, 16% Fe) was applied as a source of iron fertilizer in three different modes (Soil, foliar and combination of soil and foliar) along with control. Application of iron fertilizer significantly increased the leaf iron content and it showed synergistic effect on other quality parameters like ascorbic acid content, vitamin A content, and total chlorophyll content of the leafy vegetables. Highest leaf iron content at first (22.43 mg/100 g), second (21.30 mg/100 g) and third (20.26 mg/100 g) harvesting was found in Amaranthus from the treatment of 100% of recommended dose (0.5 g/lit of water) of ferrous sulphate heptahydrate (FeSo4, 7H2O, 16% Fe) through foliar spray at 4 weeks after sowing (T2L1).Therefore, iron fortification of leafy vegetables through ferrous sulphate heptahydrate (FeSo4, 7H2O, 16% Fe) application might be a feasible alternative to mitigate the problem of iron deficiency anaemia as well as to meet the daily needs of iron through consumption of iron rich leafy vegetables.

Fabrication and Performance of Laterite East Kotawaringin-Zeolite/Chitosan Composite as Slow Release of Iron Fertilizer

Laterite soil is one of natural resources in East Kotawaringin regency, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, which contains high element of Fe. Fe is one of micronutrients that is needed for plant in slight amount. This study aims to determine the effect of chitosan composition and composition of zeolite : laterite on the release of Fe activities from synthesized fertilizers result. Laterite is characterized by using XRF and XRD. Slow release iron fertilizer is synthesized by eliciting laterite to zeolite matrix. Then, It is stirred into chitosan gel with concentration of 2, 2.6, and 2.8 % for 30 minutes. After Zeolite - laterite - chitosan has been homogenized, then it is dropped into 0.4 M NaOH to form beads. Then testing the release of Fe with the batch method in distilled water. The result showed that the laterite soil is amorphous form, and Fe content reached 80.25 % . The higher the concentration of chitosan which is used , then more Fe is released from fertilizer. Whereas if the amount of zeolite is greater, the slower the release of Fe will be.