Publication
Evaluating plant micronutrient retention using an electric potential around the root zone in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) by using iron as an index ion
Publisher:
Research Square Platform LLC
Date:
12-05-2022
DOI:
10.21203/RS.3.RS-1648139/V1
Abstract: Deficiency in micronutrients lead to poor health and performance in plants and hidden hunger in many developing countries. Unavailability of micronutrients around the root zone is a major reason accounting for poor performance of crops. Especially, in rice, retention of plant nutrients is challenging due to water logged conditions and adding electric potential to retain nutrients would be a beneficial method to retain micronutrient around the root zone. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of direct electric potential (EP) in retaining soil nutrient around the root zone using iron as an index ion. The experimental setup consisted of two concentric iron mesh pots, inner pot connected to the negative end and outer pot connected to the positive end. An electric potential of 5.0 V was supplied with the direct current of 0.1 A for 8 hours per day. Soil was characterized for available iron content around three zones at the time of panicle initiation and time of harvest using ICPMS plant growth and performance was measured. Soil-available Fe content was higher around the negative electrode than the positive electrode at the time of panicle initiation. Plant height, above ground biomass, and paddy yield were significantly lower in WEP plants than the NEP plants (P 0.05). WEP plants showed a 45% reduction in paddy yield compared to the NEP plants. Results confirms that iron provided in the presence of an electric potential increases the iron concentration around the root zone and enhances the Fe absorption. This underpins the use of electric potential to retain micronutrients especially, cations around the root zone ultimately enhancing their availability for plants.