Biotic and abiotic environmental stresses are the main factors in reducing wheat production and yield. The deficiency of micronutrients is one of the environmental stresses that are considered a serious threat to agricultural production. In developing countries, human malnutrition is caused by micronutrient deficiencies in staple foods such as rice and wheat in Asia and corn and sorghum in Africa. Micronutrients are elements that plants need in very small amounts to complete their life cycle. Iron, as one of these micronutrients, plays an effective role in the growth of plant cells, respiration, development of different cells related to photosynthesis, biosynthesis of hormones, and the processes of plant metabolism. Iron plays a very important role in the production of chlorophyll, the production of carbohydrates, the chemical reduction of nitrate and sulfate, respiration, and the conversion of nitrate nitrogen into amino acids. Also, the main reason for the pale color of plants is due to iron deficiency, which has been observed in most of the soils in Iran. Cultivation of element-efficient cultivars is one of the strategies to compensate for micronutrient deficiencies as one of the main problems of agriculture. Due to the activity of genes and proteins involved in iron absorption, the iron-efficient cultivars are highly efficient in absorbing iron from the soil and transporting it inside the plant. Also, these plants do not show symptoms related to iron deficiency.
Transcription factors are proteins that specifically bind to the activators around the gene and play an important role in regulating the life processes of a plant. bZIP family are among the most important transcription factors that are involved in the activation of genes responsible for the absorption and transport of iron in plants.