Siderophore Production in Iron Uptake and Plant Biofortification

Although iron (Fe) is present abundantly on the earth, its bioavailability to plants is low and is dependent on the soil’s redox potential and soil pH. In aerobic or alkaline soil, Fe is readily oxidized and usually forms insoluble complexes as ferric oxides which make it unavailable for plant uptake. Beneficial microorganisms, such as mycorrhiza and root endophytic fungi, dark septate fungi, and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, have several functions and can increase mineral Fe uptake. They have also been considered to have long-term efficiency once they are used in the field. Under iron-limited surroundings, some iron chelating bacteria produce iron chelating molecules siderophores to increase iron uptake as well as transport it to their host plants. This chapter covers and describes the role of siderophore in iron uptake and biofortification in plants.