Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Sciences & Humanities, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Techonology, Pantnagar, Uttrakhand, India
In soil, saline/alkaline condition leads to the deficiency of macro-and micro-nutrients, especially micronutients. Among micronutrients iron is mostly unavilable in saline/alkaline soil because at higher pH the easily avilable form of iron, ferrous ion (Fe2+) makes insoluble complexes with metal ions present in soil. Iron is considered as one of the most important micronutrient because it has essential role in many cellular reactions regarding growth and developmet. Although huge amount of chemical form of iron is provided to plants but has adverse effect on plant health. Therefore as an altrenative several soil microorganisms that play an significant role in solublization of these complexes by secereting certain bioactive molecule and thereby enhancing nutrient availability in soil for plant growth are used. Among several microbial mechanisms which can alleviate the stressfull condition siderophore production is most eloquent. Siderophore, are low molecular weight organic molecules synthesized by several soil bacteria and fungi. They are specific type of iron chelating ionophores which chelate ferric ions from insoluble complexes and convert them to soluble ferrous forms and provide them to plants.
Saline soil, nutrient availablity, siderophore, bioactive molecules, iron solublization
