Genotype variation in rice (Oryza sativa L.) tolerance to Fe toxicity might be linked to root cell wall lignification

Iron (Fe) is an essential element to plants, but can be harmful if accumulated to toxic concentrations. Fe toxicity can be a major nutritional disorder in rice (Oryza sativa) when cultivated under waterlogged conditions, as a result of excessive Fe solubilization of in the soil. However, little is known about the basis of Fe toxicity and tolerance at both physiological and molecular level. Here we aim at understand the genotypic differences in two rice cultivars with contrasting phenotypes under Fe toxicity. To identify mechanisms and potential candidate genes for Fe tolerance in rice, we comparatively analyzed the effects of Fe excess on two cultivars with distinct tolerance to Fe toxicity, EPAGRI 108 (tolerant) and BR-IRGA 409 (susceptible), on gene expression. We collected root samples from the two cultivars under control conditions and after three days of Fe excess.