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Iron (Fe) deficiency is one of the most common micronutrient deficiencies limiting crop production globally, especially in arid regions because of decreased availability of iron in alkaline soils. Sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] grows well in arid regions and is tolerant to Fe deficiency. Here, we report that the transcription of type I H⁺‐pyrophosphatase (H⁺‐PPase) gene IbVP1 in sweet potato plants was strongly induced by Fe deficiency and auxin in hydroponics, improving Fe acquisition via increased rhizosphere acidification and auxin regulation. When overexpressed, transgenic plants show higher pyrophosphate hydrolysis and plasma membrane H⁺‐ATPase activity compared with the wild type, leading to increased rhizosphere acidification. The IbVP1‐overexpressing plants showed better growth, including enlarged root systems, under Fe‐sufficient or Fe‐deficient conditions. Increased ferric precipitation …