H2O2 mediates nitrate-induced iron chlorosis by regulating iron homeostasis in rice

The uptake of nitrate by plant roots causes a pH increment in rhizosphere and leads to iron (Fe) deficiency in rice. However, little is known about the mechanism how the nitrate uptake-induced high rhizosphere pH causes Fe deficiency. Here, we found that rice showed severe leaf chlorosis and large amounts of Fe plaque were aggregated on the root surface and intercellular space outside the exodermis in a form of ferrihydrite under alkaline conditions. In this case, there was significantly decreased Fe concentration in shoots, and the Fe deficiency responsive genes were strongly induced in the roots. The high rhizosphere pH induced excess hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production in the epidermis due to the increasing expression of NADPH-oxidase respiratory burst oxidase homolog 1, which enhanced root oxidation ability and improved the Fe plaque formation in rhizosphere. Further, the concentrated H2O2 regulated the phenylpropanoid metabolism with increased lignin biosynthesis and decreased phenolics secretion, which blocked apoplast Fe mobilization efficiency. These factors coordinately repressed the Fe utilization in rhizosphere and led to Fe deficiency in rice under high pH. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that nitrate uptake-induced rhizosphere alkalization led to Fe deficiency in rice, through H2O2-dependent manners of root oxidation ability and phenylpropanoid metabolism.