Research and Progress on the Mechanism of Iron Transfer and Accumulation in Rice Grains

Abstract

Iron (Fe) is one of the most important micronutrients for organisms. Currently, Fe deficiency is a growing nutritional problem and is becoming a serious threat to human health worldwide. A method that could help alleviate this “hidden hunger” is increasing the bioavailable Fe concentrations in edible tissues of major food crops. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms of Fe accumulation in different crop tissues will help to develop crops with higher Fe nutritional values. Biofortification significantly increases the concentration of Fe in crops. This paper considers the important food crop of rice (Oryza sativa L.) as an example and highlights recent research advances on the molecular mechanisms of Fe uptake and allogeneic uptake in different tissues of rice. In addition, different approaches to the biofortification of Fe nutrition in rice and their outcomes are described and discussed. To address the problems that occur during the development and application of improving nutritional Fe in rice, technical strategies and long-term solutions are also proposed as a reference for the future improvement of staple food nutrition with micronutrients.

Effect of Iron Application on Rice Plants in Improving Grain Nutritional Quality in Northeastern of Thailand

“…This might be due to genetic variations of the rice plant. This finding is in agreement with Wang et al (2021) and Sharma et al (2013) [44,45].…”

Enhanced accumulation of phenolics in pea (Pisum sativum L.) seeds upon foliar application of selenate or zinc oxide

“…In contrast, another study by Poblaciones and Rengel ( 59 ) that examined the effect of all combinations of soil/foliar applications (before flowering and at the early seed-filling stage) of zinc sulfate on field pea, showed that seed Fe concentrations were significantly reduced (vs. the control) by soil Zn application. It could be argued that this may have been due to competitive reasons, as Fe and Zn can compete for similar absorption pathways in the plant root, as reviewed previously ( 60 , 61 ). The uptake of trace elements by plants is affected by multiple transporters, many of which may transport more than one.…”

Biofortification of Crops to Fight Anemia: Role of Vacuolar Iron Transporters

“…In rice plants, uptaking of Fe 2+ ions in the same manner as nongraminaceous species via the strategy I mechanism. Among them, the Fe 2+ transporter genes such as OsIRT1 , OsIRT2 , and OsNRAMP1 are induced under Fe deficiency conditions and actively involved in Fe uptake and transport in rice. − Many researchers have highlighted the molecular mechanism involved in Fe uptake in rice via strategies I and II. ,− Therefore, we need to understand the role of membrane transporters in Fe uptake, cellular and intercellular transport, and long-distance transport. This will help to improve the Fe content in the edible part of the crop plants through various biotechnological approaches.…”

“…Recent progress in nutrient transporters has provided an opportunity to resolve Fe deficiency or nutritional problems in plants and humans. − Many Fe transporter family genes have been identified in Arabidopsis (model plant) and crop plants. − The Fe transporters coordinate Fe uptake from the soil and transport, storage, and redistribution within the plants. , Understanding Fe transporters’ structural, functional, and regulatory details is essential for addressing Fe deficiency in crop plants. , A better understanding of the mechanisms involved in Fe uptake and distribution in the edible part of the crops by enhancing the accumulation of Fe could pave the way to alleviate Fe deficiency in humans.…”