Iron kinetics and its uptake efficiency of pigeonpea grown on Fe deficient soil

Abstract

To understand the mobility of Fe the Mechanistic models are useful tools for soil and plant parameter in the system through sensitivity analysis. The experiment was aimed to study the uptake pattern of Fe in pigeonpea. The pigeonpea was harvested at three different growth stages at 40, 55 and 70 days after emergence along with 20 and 40 mg kg-1 Fe soil besides no Fe. To predict Fe uptake and Fe influx as well as to carry out sensitivity analysis of the rhizosphere of pigeonpea, recent version of NST 3.0 nutrient uptake model was used. In sensitivity analysis, root radius (r0) was most sensitive parameter controlling Fe uptake of pigeonpea, which was followed by maximum net influx (Imax) and initial Fe concentration in soil solution (CLi). On the basis of nutrient uptake model higher values of ro, Imax and CLi are found beneficial to increase Fe uptake by pigeonpea, while it was true for lower value of km. Application of Fe @ 20 mg kg-1 on Fe-deficient soil to pigeonpea is desirable for good growth of the crop besides Fe content in plant.