The physiological mechanism of enhanced oxidizing capacity of rice (Oryza sativa L.) roots induced by phosphorus deficiency

Plants show various responses to phosphorus (P) deficiency. Root oxidizing capacity enhancement is one of adaptive mechanisms for rice (Oryza sativa L.) to P deficiency. However, it remains unclear how P deficiency enhances the root oxidizing capacity. In this study, rice seedlings were treated in P-deficient nutrient solution for different periods. Variations of reactive oxygen species (ROS), antioxidant enzyme activity, root lignin content, root porosity, root oxygen release, total oxidative substances and root structural changes in rice roots in response to P-sufficient and P-deficient treatments were investigated. Results indicated that P deficiency induced the production of H₂O₂ and O ₂ ^·? in roots significantly, which reached their maximum after 1- to 2-day P-deficient treatment. Interestingly, the endogenous total oxidative substances kept stable in rice roots. P deficiency increased the activities of peroxidase and superoxide dismutase by 89.5 and 51.8 % after 4-day P-deficient treatment, respectively. Moreover, one-day P deficiency elevated lignin accumulation. Root porosity of rice seedling under 2-day P-deficient treatment was 19.8 % higher than that under P-sufficient treatment. P deficiency also enhanced the release of both O₂ and total oxidative substances after 1- to 4-day P deficiency. In addition, results from electronic microscopy indicated that the thickness of root cell wall tended to increase after 2-day P-deficient treatment. Taken together, our results suggested that P-deficiency-induced enhancement of root oxidizing capacity in rice roots was probably associated with ROS production, antioxidant enzyme activity increment in root tissues, and the release of O₂ and oxidative substances from root inside to rhizosphere.     

Genotypic Variation in Root Morphological Characteristics of Common Bean in Relation to Phosphorus Efficiency (in English)

Root morphology in plants may be related to phosphorus (P) efficiency by affecting the absorption characteristics of the root system. However, genotypic variation in root morphological characteristics of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) as affected by P availability has not been well clarified. In the present study, systematic studies were conducted in a P-buffered sand culture system using three pairs of common bean parental materials with contrasting root traits in response to P deficiency. The results indicate that P availability significantly affects bean root morphology. Common bean tends to have smaller root system, shorter and coarser roots at low P availability. Genotypic variation in root morphology was observed among different genotypes in response to P availability. The P efficient genotypes appear to have larger, finer and longer root systems than the P inefficient genotypes, and such a variation was particularly obvious in the basal roots. From allomeric analysis, we found that morphological characteristics of the basal roots contribute more to P efficiency than those of the tap roots. Further studies with the F9 recombinant inbred lines derived from one of the most contrasting parental pairs, DOR364 and G19833, confirmed the above findings, indicating that those morphological characteristics are inheritable hence provide potential for genetic improvement. Root morphology in plants may be related to phosphorus (P) efficiency by affecting the absorption characteristics of the root system. However, genotypic variation in root morphological characteristics of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) as affected by P availability has not been well clarified. In the present study, systematic studies were conducted in a P-buffered sand culture system using three pairs of common bean parental materials with contrasting root traits in response to P deficiency. The results indicate that P availability significantly affects bean root morphology. Common bean tends to have smaller root system, shorter and coarser roots at low P availability. Genotypic variation in root morphology was observed among different genotypes in response to P availability. The P efficient genotypes appear to have larger, finer and longer root systems than the P inefficient genotypes, and such a variation was particularly obvious in the basal roots. From allomeric analysis, we found that morphological characteristics of the basal roots contribute more to P efficiency than those of the tap roots. Further studies with the F9 recombinant inbred lines derived from one of the most contrasting parental pairs, DOR364 and G19833, confirmed the above findings, indicating that those morphological characteristics are inheritable hence provide potential for genetic improvement.     

The role of phosphorus in aluminium-induced citrate and malate exudation from rape (Brassica napus)

Exudation of organic anions is believed to be a common tolerance mechanism for both aluminium toxicity and phosphorus deficiency. Nevertheless, which of these stresses that actually elicit the exudation of organic anions from rape ( Brassica napus L) remains unknown, and the combined effects of Al toxicity and P deficiency on rape have not been reported before. Therefore, in the current study, Brassica napus var. Natane nourin plants grown with or without 0.25 m M P were exposed to 0 or 50 µ M AlCl₃ and several parameters related to the exudation of organic anions from the roots were investigated. Eight days of P deficiency resulted in a significant growth reduction, but P deficiency alone did not induce exudation of organic anions. In contrast, Al strongly induced organic acid exudation, while simultaneously inhibiting root growth. Increased in-vitro activity of citrate synthase (CS, EC 4.1.3.7), malate dehydrogenase (MDH, EC 1.1.1.37) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC, EC 4.1.1.31), together with reduced root respiration, indicated that the Al-induced accumulation and subsequent exudation of citrate and malate were associated with both increased biosynthesis and reduced metabolism of citric and malic acid. Phosphorus-sufficient plants showed more pronounced aluminium-induced accumulation and exudation of organic anions than P-deficient plants. A divided root chamber experiment showed the necessity of direct contact between Al and roots to elicit exudation of organic anions. Prolonged exposure (10 days) to Al resulted in a decrease in the net exudation of citrate and malate, and the rate of decrease was much more rapid in P-deficient plants than in P-sufficient plants. It is concluded that P nutrition affects the level of Al-induced synthesis and exudation of organic anions. However, the mechanism needs further investigation.     

Higher rates of nitrogen fertilization decrease soil enzyme activities, microbial functional diversity and nitrification capacity in a Chinese polytunnel greenhouse vegetable land

White lupin (Lupinus albus L.) is considered a model system for understanding plant acclimation to nutrient deficiency. It acclimates to phosphorus (P) and iron (Fe) deficiency by the development of short, densely clustered lateral roots called proteoid (or cluster) roots; proteoid-root development is further influenced by nitrogen (N) supply. In an effort to better understand proteoid root function under various nutrient deficiencies, we used nylon filter arrays to analyze 2,102 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from proteoid roots of P-deficient white lupin. These have been previously analyzed for up-regulation in ?P proteoid roots, and were here analyzed for up-regulation in proteoid roots of N-deprived plants. We identified a total of 19 genes that displayed up-regulation in proteoid roots under both P and N deprivation. One of these genes showed homology to putative formamidases. The corresponding open reading frame was cloned, overexpressed in E. coli, and the encoded protein was purified; functional characterization of the recombinant protein confirmed formamidase activity. Though many homologues of bacterial and fungal formamidases have been identified in plants, to our knowledge, this is the first report of a functional characterization of a plant formamidase.     

The effect of iron on the primary root elongation of Arabidopsis during phosphate deficiency

Root architecture differences have been linked to the survival of plants on phosphate (P)-deficient soils, as well as to the improved yields of P-efficient crop cultivars. To understand how these differences arise, we have studied the root architectures of P-deficient Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana Columbia-0) plants. A striking aspect of the root architecture of these plants is that their primary root elongation is inhibited when grown on P-deficient medium. Here, we present evidence suggesting that this inhibition is a result of iron (Fe) toxicity. When the Fe concentration in P-deficient medium is reduced, we observe elongation of the primary root without an increase in P availability or a corresponding change in the expression of P deficiency-regulated genes. Recovery of the primary root elongation is associated with larger plant weights, improved ability to take up P from the medium, and increased tissue P content. This suggests that manipulating Fe availability to a plant could be a valuable strategy for improving a plant's ability to tolerate P deficiency.     

Partitioning of shoot and root dry matter and carbohydrates in bean plants suffering from phosphorus, potassium and magnesium deficiency

The influence of varied supply of phosphorus (10 and 250 mmolP m^–3) potassium (50 and 2010 mmol K m^–3) and magnesium(20 and 1000 mmol Mg m^–3) on the partitioning of dry matterand carbohydrates (reducing sugars, sucrose and starch) betweenshoots and roots was studied in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) plantsgrown in nutrient solution over a 12 d period. Shoot and rootgrowth were quite differently affected by low supply of P, K,and Mg. The shoot/root dry weight ratios were 4.9 in the control(sufficient plants), 1.8 in P-deficient, 6.9 in K-deficientand 10.2 in Mg-deficient plants. In primary (source) leaves,but not in trifoliate leaves, concentrations of reducing sugars,sucrose and starch were also differently affected by low nutrientsupply. In primary leaves under K deficiency and, particularlyMg deficiency, the concentrations of sucrose and reducing sugarswere much higher than in control and P-deficient plants. Magnesiumdeficiency also distinctly increased the starch concentrationin the primary leaves. In contrast, in roots, the lowest concenfrationsof sucrose, reducing sugars and starch were found in Mg-deficientplants, whereas the concentrations of sucrose and starch wereparticularly high in P-deficient plants. There was a close relationshipbetween shoot/root dry weight ratios and relative distributionof total carbohydrates (sugars and starch) in shoot and roots.Of the total amounts of carbohyd rates per plant, the followingproportions were parti tioned to the roots: 22.7% in P-deficient,15.7% in control, 3.4% in K-deficient and 0.8% in Mg-deficientplants. The results indicate a distinct role of Mg and K in the exportof photosynthates from leaves to roots and suggest that alterationin photosynthate partitioning plays a major role in the differencesin dry matter distribution between shoots and roots of plantssuffering from mineral nutrient deficiency. Key words: Bean, carbohydrates, magnesium nutrition, phosphorus nutrition, potassium nutrition, shoot/root growth     

菜豆根形态特性的基因型差异与磷效率

应用磷控释砂培以及计算机图象分析技术,研究了磷效率差异显的菜豆（Phaseolus vulgaris L.)亲本及其重组自交系后代的根形态特性及其与磷效率的关系。试验结果表明,供磷状况显影响菜豆根系形态学特性。在低磷胁迫下,菜豆根系总根长变短、根部生物量减少,根直径增大。菜豆根形态特性对低磷有效性的适应性反应具有显的基因型差异。在低磷条件下磷高效率基因型的根系比磷低效率基因型相对根部生物量较大、总根长较长,根表面积较大。异计分析表明,菜豆基根根形态特性在低磷条件下的适应性变化对磷效率的贡献远远大于主根,并且这些适应性变化是可以遗传的,表明通过对菜豆根形态特性进行遗传改良来提高磷效率有一定的可行性。     

The effect of nitrogen nutrition on cluster root formation and proton extrusion by Lupinus albus

Nitrogen nutrition can influence cluster root formation in many wild species, but the effect of N form on cluster root formation and root exudation by white lupin is not known. In a solution culture study, we examined the effect of N nutrition (ammonium, nitrate, both or N2 fixation) on cluster root formation and H+ extrusion by white lupin plants under deficient and adequate P supply. The number of cluster roots increased greatly when plants were supplied with I microM P compared with 50 microM P, the increase being 7.8-fold for plants treated with (NH4)2SO4, 3-fold for plants treated with KNO3 and NH4NO3, and 2-4-fold for N2-fixing plants. Under P deficiency. NH4+-N supply resulted in production of a greater number and biomass of cluster roots than other N sources. Dry weight of cluster roots was 30 % higher than that of non-cluster roots in P-deficient plants treated with (NH4)2SO4 and NH4NO3. In plants treated with sufficient P (50 microM), the weight of non-cluster roots was approx. 90 % greater than that of cluster roots. Both total (micromol per plant h(-1)) and specific (micromol g(-1) root d. wt h(-1)) H+ extrusions were greatest from roots of plants supplied with (NH4)2SO4, followed by those supplied with NH4NO3 and N2 fixation, whereas plants receiving KNO3 had negative net H+ extrusion between the third and fifth week of growth (indicating uptake of protons or release of OH- ions). The rate of proton extrusion by NH4+-N-fed plants was similar under P-deficient and P-sufficient conditions. In contrast, proton exudation by N2-fixing plants and KNO3-treated plants was ten-fold greater under P deficiency than under P sufficiency. In comparison with P deficiency, plants treated with 50 microM P had a significantly higher concentration of P in roots, shoots and youngest expanded leaves (YEL). Compared with the N2 fixation and KNO3 treatments, total N concentration was highest in roots, shoots and YEL of plants supplied with (NH4)2SO4 and NH4NO3, regardless of P supply. Under P deficiency, K concentrations in roots decreased at all N supplies, especially in plants treated with (NH4)2SO4 and NH4NO3, which coincided with the greatest H+ extrusion at these P and N supplies. In conclusion, NH4-N nutrition stimulated cluster root formation and H+ extrusion by roots of P-deficient white lupin.