Nutrient remobilization and C:N:P stoichiometry in response to elevated CO2 and low phosphorus availability in rice cultivars introgressed with and without Pup1

Abstract

The continuously rising atmospheric CO2 concentration potentially increase plant growth through stimulating C metabolism; however, plant C:N:P stoichiometry in response to elevated CO2 (eCO2) under low P stress remains largely unknown. We investigated the combined effect of eCO2 and low phosphorus on growth, yield, C:N:P stoichiometry, and remobilization in rice cv. Kasalath (aus type), IR64 (a mega rice variety), and IR64-Pup1 (Pup1 QTL introgressed IR64). In response to eCO2 and low P, the C accumulation increased significantly (particularly at anthesis stage) while N and P concentration decreased leading to higher C:N and C:P ratios in all plant components (leaf, sheath, stem, and grain) than ambient CO2. The remobilization efficiencies of N and P were also reduced under low P with eCO2 as compared to control conditions. Among cultivars, the combined effect of eCO2 and low P was greater in IR64-Pup1 and produced higher biomass and grain yield as compared to IR64. However, IR64-Pup1 exhibited a lower N but higher P concentration than IR64, indicating that the Pup1 QTL improved P uptake but did not influence N uptake. Our study suggests that the P availability along with eCO2 would alter the C:N:P ratios due to their differential partitioning, thereby affecting growth and yield.