Abstract
BackgroundPhosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth that participates in a series of biological processes. Thus, P deficiency limits crop growth and yield. Although Stylosanthes guianensis (stylo) is an important tropical legume that displays adaptation to low phosphate (Pi) availability, its adaptive mechanisms remain largely unknown.ResultsIn this study, differences in low-P stress tolerance were investigated using two stylo cultivars (‘RY2’ and ‘RY5’) that were grown in hydroponics. Results showed that cultivar RY2 was better adapted to Pi starvation than RY5, as reflected by lower values of relative decrease rates of growth parameters than RY5 at low-P stress, especially for the reduction of shoot and root dry weight. Furthermore, RY2 exhibited higher P acquisition efficiency than RY5 under the same P treatment, although P utilization efficiency was similar between the two cultivars. In addition, better root growth performance and higher leaf and root APase activities were observed with RY2 compared to RY5. Subsequent RNA-seq analysis revealed 8,348 genes that were differentially expressed under P deficient and sufficient conditions in RY2 roots, with many Pi starvation regulated genes associated with P metabolic process, protein modification process, transport and other metabolic processes. A group of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in Pi uptake and Pi homeostasis were identified, such as genes encoding Pi transporter (PT), purple acid phosphatase (PAP), and multidrug and toxin extrusion (MATE). Furthermore, a variety of genes related to transcription factors and regulators involved in Pi signaling, including genes belonging to the PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE 1-like (PHR1), WRKY and the SYG1/PHO81/XPR1 (SPX) domain, were also regulated by P deficiency in stylo roots.ConclusionsThis study reveals the possible mechanisms underlying the adaptation of stylo to P deficiency. The low-P tolerance in stylo is probably manifested through regulation of root growth, Pi acquisition and cellular Pi homeostasis as well as Pi signaling pathway. The identified genes involved in low-P tolerance can be potentially used to design the breeding strategy for developing P-efficient stylo cultivars to grow on acid soils in the tropics.
Highlights
Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth that participates in a series of biological processes
The identified genes involved in low-P tolerance can be potentially used to design the breeding strategy for developing P-efficient stylo cultivars to grow on acid soils in the tropics
Many of the identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found to encode putative transporters, phosphatases and transcription factors that are associated with root growth, Pi acquisition and Pi homeostasis as well as Pi signaling
Summary
Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth that participates in a series of biological processes. P deficiency limits crop growth and yield. Phosphorus (P) is one of the essential macronutrients for plant growth and development. Low phosphate (Pi) availability is considered a major limiting factor for crop growth, especially in acid soils that occupy about 50% of the world’s arable land [3, 4]. Improving the absorption and utilization of soil P can be an effective way for increasing crop yield and reducing fertilizer P application. Such improvements aim for the development of a more sustainable and environmentally sound agriculture
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