Soybean Iron Deficiency Chlorosis

Iron Deficiency Chlorosis (IDC) is an important problem for soybeans grown on calcareous soil, leading to yield loss.  A transcriptomic study of leaf and root tissue has been conducted at one and six hours after reduction of iron from hydroponic media.  Little overlap in differential gene expression was observed between time points and tissue types, suggesting a dynamic response to IDC in soybeans.  Genes involved in hormone signaling, regulation of DNA replication and iron uptake utilization are key aspects of the iron-efficiency response.  This data also suggests involvement of many transcription factors in eliciting rapid changes in gene expression.  Ongoing and future work will use Viral Induced Gene Silencing (VIGS) in conjunction with RNA-Seq to elucidate candidate gene function.