Iron is an essential nutrient required for growth, development and also impacts disease resistance in plants. Plant absorb iron through their roots and citrate plays a vital role in transport of Fe 3+ through the xylem. In this study, we found that the rice cytoplasmic ATP-citrate lyase subunit A2, OsACL-A2 ( Os12g0566300) serves as a crucial factor in iron uptake and translocation. Leaf iron levels were depressed in the osacl-a2 mutant which caused iron deficiency induced chlorosis, activated defense signaling and eventually necrosis in mature leaves. Furthermore, loss of OsACL-A2 activity reduced disease resistance in leaves that had not reached development of necrosis. Citrate levels are increased in the osacl-a2 mutant, while ACL activity in the wild type is upregulated in response to both iron starvation and pathogen attack. We hypothesize that OsACL-A2 activity generates source-sink gradients through targeted lysis activity thus directing the movement of citrate-Fe 3+.