Sulfur Deficiency Research Articles

Quantitative Expression Analysis in Brassica napus by Northern Blot Analysis and Reverse Transcription-Quantitative PCR in a Complex Experimental Setting.

Analysis of gene expression is one of the major ways to better understand plant reactions to changes in environmental conditions. The comparison of many different factors influencing plant growth challenges the gene expression analysis for specific gene-targeted experiments, especially with regard to the choice of suitable reference genes. The aim of this study is to compare expression results obtained by Northern blot, semi-quantitative PCR and RT-qPCR, and to identify a reliable set of reference genes for oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) suitable for comparing gene expression under complex experimental conditions. We investigated the influence of several factors such as sulfur deficiency, different time points during the day, varying light conditions, and their interaction on gene expression in oilseed rape plants. The expression of selected reference genes was indeed influenced under these conditions in different ways. Therefore, a recently developed algorithm, called GrayNorm, was applied to validate a set of reference genes for normalizing results obtained by Northern blot analysis. After careful comparison of the three methods mentioned above, Northern blot analysis seems to be a reliable and cost-effective alternative for gene expression analysis under a complex growth regime. For using this method in a quantitative way a number of references was validated revealing that for our experiment a set of three references provides an appropriate normalization. Semi-quantitative PCR was prone to many handling errors and difficult to control while RT-qPCR was very sensitive to expression fluctuations of the reference genes.

Optical Generation and Transport of Charges in Iron Pyrite Nanocrystal Films and Subsequent Injection into SnO2

The low photovoltaic efficiency of iron pyrite-based solar cells is often related to the presence of sulfur deficiencies. In this paper surfur-rich iron pyrite nanocrystals (FeS2 NCs) are synthesized by the hot injection method and deposited using layer by layer deposition. Optical absorption measurements show substantial sub-bandgap absorption, which is attributed to a sulfur-rich, thin surface layer. Microwave photoconductance measurements show very little signal of films with the original long ligands, while an approximately 100-fold higher signal is observed for films treated with FeCl2 and 1,2-ethanedithiol (EDT) solutions. In mesoporous hybrid systems of FeS2/SnO2 both sub-band-gap and above-band-gap photons lead to electron injection from FeS2 into the SnO2 conduction band. We explain these findings by proposing that pinning of the Fermi level by the surface layer leads to a downward band bending in the direction of the surface within the FeS2 NC. Hence, photoexcited electrons will first move toward the shell where they relax into empty surface states. As the holes remain behind in the core of the nanocrystals, this results in a charge-separated state with a long lifetime. Interestingly, these surface electrons are able to migrate in the FeS2 NP layer by interparticle tunneling and can still decay by injection into SnO2. Hence, our results indicate that SnO2 is a suitable electron acceptor for FeS2. The long-lived charge-separated electrons and holes could be exploited efficiently in photodetectors.

EIN3 interferes with the sulfur deficiency signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana through direct interaction with the SLIM1 transcription factor

Sulfur deficiency in plants leads to metabolic reprogramming through changes of gene expression. SLIM1 is so far the only characterized transcription factor associated strictly with sulfur deficiency stress in Arabidopsis thaliana. It belongs to the same protein family as EIN3, a major positive switch of ethylene signaling pathway. It binds to the specific cis sequence called UPE-box. Here we show that SLIM1 interacts with UPE-box as a homodimer. Interestingly, the same region of the protein is used for heterodimerization with EIN3; however, the heterodimer is not able to recognize UPE-box. Expression of several SLIM1-dependent genes is enhanced in sulfur deficiency grown Arabidopsis ein3-1 seedlings (with mutated EIN3 protein). This implies a possible regulatory mechanism of ethylene in sulfur metabolism through direct EIN3-SLIM1 interaction.

Evidence for the Ability of Active‐Optical Sensors to Detect Sulfur Deficiency in Corn

Prediction of S deficiency is difficult due to poor soil test relationship to crop response. The purpose of this article is to provide evidence that the use of an N‐sufficient area established for use as a standard for active‐optical (AO) sensor directed in‐season N application could also serve to detect S deficiency in corn (Zea mays L.). Nitrogen rate experiments at Oakes and Arthur, ND, exhibited corn upper‐leaf yellowing in high N treatments while control treatments (0 N) were greenest. Two AO sensors were utilized to record red normalized differential vegetation index (NDVI) and red edge NDVI values. The high‐N treatment had the lowest NDVI readings, and the control treatments had the highest NDVI readings. Within 24 h, an application of gypsum containing 22 kg S ha−1 was applied. Seven days following S application, the sites were revisited. The AO sensors were again used to record red NDVI and red edge NDVI. At both sites, the high N treatment had the highest NDVI readings and the control treatment had the lowest NDVI readings. These experiments indicate that high N treatment can increase the severity of S deficiency in corn. If a lower NDVI reading is recorded in a high N application area than in the surrounding area, S deficiency may be present.Core Ideas Sulfur deficiency in corn is difficult to anticipate using soil analysis. When N availability is low, the affect of S deficiency in corn is minimized. When N availability is high, the affect of S deficiency is intensified. Active‐optical sensors can be used along with an N‐sufficient area to reveal S deficiency.

Changes in rubisco, cysteine-rich proteins and antioxidant system of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) due to sulphur deficiency, cadmium stress and their combination.

Sulphur (S) deficiency, cadmium (Cd) toxicity and their combinations are of wide occurrence throughout agricultural lands. We assessed the impact of short-term (2days) and long-term (4days) applications of cadmium (40μg/g soil) on spinach plants grown on sulphur-sufficient (300μM SO42-) and sulphur-deficient (30μM SO42-) soils. Compared with the control (+S and -Cd), oxidative stress was increased by S deficiency (-S and -Cd), cadmium (+S and +Cd) and their combination stress (-S and +Cd) in the order of (S deficiency) < (Cd stress) < (S deficiency and +Cd stress). SDS-PAGE profile of leaf proteins showed a high vulnerability of rubisco large subunit (RbcL) to S deficiency. Rubisco small subunit (RbcS) was particularly sensitive to Cd as well as dual stress (+Cd and -S) but increased with Cd in the presence of S. Cysteine content in low molecular weight proteins/peptide was also affected, showing a significant increase under cadmium treatment. Components of ascorbate-glutathione antioxidant system altered their levels, showing the maximum decline in ascorbate (ASA), dehydroascorbate (DHA), total ascorbate (ASA + DHA, hereafter TA), glutathione (GSH) and total glutathione (GSH + GSSG, hereafter TG) under S deficiency. However, total ascorbate and total glutathione increased, besides a marginal increase in their reduced and oxidized forms, when Cd was applied in the presence of sufficient S. Sulphur supply also helped in increasing the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR) and catalase (CAT) under Cd stress. However, their activity suffered by S deficiency and by Cd stress during S deficiency. Each stress declined the contents of soluble protein and photosynthetic pigments; the highest decline in contents of protein and pigments occurred under S deficiency and dual stress respectively. The fresh and dry weights, although affected adversely by every stress, declined most under dual stress. It may be concluded that an optimal level of S is required during Cd stress for better response of SOD, APX, GR and CAT activity, as well as synthesis of cysteine. RbcS is as highly sensitive to S deficiency as RbcL is to Cd stress.

Sulphur in Soil, Plant and Human Nutrition

Sulphur is now recognized as the fourth major plant nutrient after N, P and K globally. Sulphur in soils comes from the sulphur containing minerals present in parent materials from which the soils are derived and from the plants and animals residues or from the external addition of elemental S or its minerals. Sulphur enters the biological systems from soil through microbial activities involving mineralization of organic matter, immobilization, oxidation and reduction. Plants take up sulphur only as SO 4 = and reduce it to form S containing amino acids and other compounds. Amino acid cysteine is the source of sulphur for most other S-compounds in plants. Sulphur containing vitamin thiamine (Vitamin B1) is also synthesized only in plants and not in humans or other animals. Plants also produce vitamin biotin and a number of S-containing metabolites including glutathione, glucosinolates and alliin/allicin. Sulphur deficiency in wheat can lead to poor baking quality and in oilseeds it can lead to reduced oil content and yield. Sulphur is taken in as sulphur containing amino acids (SAAs) cysteine and methionine by human beings. The recommended dietary allowance for SAAs for humans is 14 mg kg−1 body weight. Lack of sulphur can lead to arthritis, muscle and joint stiffness, spondylitis, etc. Dietary supplements containing (chondroitin sulphate, glucosamine sulphate, methylsulfonylmethane etc.) can be beneficial in the treatment of joint diseases.

Effects of Sulphur Deficiency on Accumulation of K+, Na+, NO3-, PO43- and transport of K+, Na+ in mungbean (Vigna radiata L. var. BARI MUNG-6)

Sulphur deficiency caused a decrease in accumulation of Na+ but increased the accumulation of K+ in the root, stem and leaf of mungbean seedlings grown in solution culture under light bank. It also decreased K+ and Na+ accumulation in the root, stem and leaf of mungbean plants grown in sand culture under natural environmental conditions. However, sulphur deficiency increased the accumulation of NO3- in the root and stem but decreased that in leaf of mungbean seedlings grown in solution culture. It decreased accumulation of PO43- in the root, stem and leaf except an initial increase in the leaf. It increased net influx, long distance transport and transport index of K+ but decreased those of Na+ in mungbean seedlings. This result indicates that K+ is more mobile in plants than Na+.&#x0D; Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 25(2): 123-130, 2016 (July)

Growth, Yield and Nutrient Uptake Capacity of Rice under Different Sulphur Levels

Because of using sulphur free fertilizer, rice crop facing tremendous sulphur (S) deficiency throughout the world as well as in Bangladesh. However, farmers of Bangladesh often overlook the importance of sulphur fertilization on rice yield. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the influence of different levels of sulphur on growth, yield attributes and uptake of N, P, K and S by grain and straw of BRRI dhan41 rice variety. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replication and eight treatments including control. The result of the study revealed that the highest plant height, panicle length, filled grain was found in T1 (50% RFD of S) treatment, while the utmost number of effective tiller and straw yield was recorded in T5 (150% RFD of S) treatment. Interestingly, maximum grain yield as well as uptake of N, P, K and S by grain and straw was significantly higher in T6 (175% RFD of S) treatment. The highest grain yield of T6 treatment might be due to maximum nutrient use efficiency. However, in all cases control treatment (T0) gave the worst result. The present study clearly indicates that higher rates (175% of the recommended dose) of S along with other fertilizers may be recommended for better growth and yield of BRRI dhan41 in Bangladesh soil.

Editorial: Ethylene's Role in Plant Mineral Nutrition.

Editorial: Ethylene's Role in Plant Mineral Nutrition.

Sulphur-coated urea as a source of sulphur and an enhanced efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer for spring wheat

Use of high analysis fertilizers such as diammonium phosphate in place of ordinary superphosphate and urea in place of ammonium sulphate over years, sulphur application to crop fields has considerably decreased, which has led to widespread sulphur deficiency in Indian soils. Hence, considering this into account a field study for two years was conducted at the research farm of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to evaluate sulphur-coated urea (SCU) as a source of sulphur (S) and an enhanced efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer. Prilled urea (PU) coated with 4 to 5% S significantly increased wheat grain yield to the tune of 9.58 to 11.21% and nitrogen 19.06 to 23.94% and sulphur uptake 21.76 to 29.29% over prilled urea alone by wheat. However, net return and benefit: cost ratio was the highest and significant at 5% S coating onto PU. Five % SCU supplied 50% of the sulphur needs of the wheat crop and enhanced nitrogen recovery efficiency by 60% and is therefore recommended as sulphur as well as enhanced efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer for wheat in Indo-Gangetic plains of India. This is an important finding considering the environmental safety by increased nitrogen recovery and also productivity in present scenario.

Changes in Free Amino Acid Concentration in Rye Grain in Response to Nitrogen and Sulfur Availability, and Expression Analysis of Genes Involved in Asparagine Metabolism.

Free asparagine plays a central role in nitrogen storage and transport in many plant species due to its relatively high ratio of nitrogen to carbon. However, it is also a precursor for acrylamide, a Class 2a carcinogen that forms during high-temperature processing and cooking. The concentration of free asparagine was shown to increase by approximately 70% in rye grain in response to severe sulfur deficiency (F-test, p = 0.004), while the concentration of both free asparagine and free glutamine increased (by almost threefold and approximately 62%, respectively) in response to nitrogen application (F-test, p < 0.001 for free asparagine; p = 0.004 for free glutamine). There were also effects of nutrient supply on other free amino acids: The concentration of free proline, for example, showed a significant (F-test, p = 0.019) effect of nitrogen interacting with sulfur, with the highest concentration occurring when the plants were deprived of both nitrogen and sulfur. Polymerase chain reaction products for several genes involved in asparagine metabolism and its regulation were amplified from rye grain cDNA. These genes were asparagine synthetase-1 (ScASN1), glutamine synthetase-1 (ScGS1), potassium-dependent asparaginase (ScASP), aspartate kinase (ScASK), and general control non-derepressible-2 (ScGCN2). The expression of these genes and of a previously described sucrose non-fermenting-1-related protein kinase-1 gene (ScSnRK1) was analyzed in flag leaf and developing grain in response to nitrogen and sulfur supply, revealing a significant (F-test, p < 0.05) effect of nitrogen supply on ScGS1 expression in the grain at 21 days post-anthesis. There was also evidence of an effect of sulfur deficiency on ScASN1 gene expression. However, although this effect was large (almost 10-fold) it was only marginally statistically significant (F-test, 0.05 < p < 0.10). The study reinforced the conclusion that nutrient availability can have a profound impact on the concentrations of different free amino acids, something that is often overlooked by plant physiologists but which has important implications for flavor, color, and aroma development during cooking and processing, as well as the production of undesirable contaminants such as acrylamide.

Rectification of sulphur deficiency defect in CdS based films by introducing a novel modification in the SILAR cyclic process

In the present study, a novel modification is introduced in the dipping process of the SILAR (successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction) technique which is one of the important chemical solution techniques, generally used for the deposition of cadmium sulphide films. This study clearly establishes that this improved SILAR (ISILAR) technique enables one to rectify the sulphur deficiency, generally present in CdS films and there by obtain a near stoichiometric undoped and doped CdS thin films. In the present work, Fe doped CdS thin films are also deposited on glass substrates using this ISILAR technique. In this ISILAR technique, during the automated dipping process, a fresh anionic solution bath replaces the used one when the supply of S2− ions from this anionic solution declines to an optimized threshold value. As a result of this modification, the stoichiometric deviation drastically reduces from 12.9% to 3.3% for CdS films and from 20.2% to 0.6% for CdS:Fe films. The underlying mechanism for this observed improvement in the stoichiometry is elaborated in this article. The CdS films deposited using this ISILAR technique exhibit better transmittance values compared to several reported values. The XRD studies reveal that the deposited films have good crystalline quality. The magnetic studies show that at higher Fe doping (15 at.%) level, a ferromagnetic nature is observed in the lower applied magnetic field region. The optical band gap decreases gradually with the increase in the Fe doping level and this result is found to be supported by photoluminescence results.

Auger electron spectroscopy study and depth profile analyses of the CaS:Eu2+ pulsed laser deposited thin luminescent films

This paper presents the results of a study of the chemical composition, depth profile analyses of pulsed laser deposited CaS:Eu2+ thin films grown at different substrate temperatures. Using Auger electron spectroscopy, we have shown that the thin film grown in an argon atmosphere shows sulfur deficiency as the substrate temperature is increased from 200 to 650 °C.

Identification and functional characterization of the sulfate transporter gene GmSULTR1;2b in soybean.

BackgroundSoybean is a major source of oil and protein in the human diet and in animal feed. However, as soybean is deficient in sulfur-containing amino acids, its nutritional value is limited. Increasing sulfate assimilation and utilization efficiency is a valuable approach to augment the concentration of sulfur-containing amino acids in soybean seeds, and sulfate transporters play important roles in both sulfate uptake and translocation within plants.ResultsIn this study, we isolated and characterized a soybean sulfate transporter gene: GmSULTR1;2b. The gene was found to be specifically expressed in root tissues and induced by low-sulfur stress. In addition, GmSULTR1;2b expression in yeast could complement deficiency in the sulfate transporter genes SUL1 and SUL2. Under +S conditions, GmSULTR1;2b-overexpressing tobacco plants accumulated higher levels of organic matter and exhibited enhanced biomass and seed weight compared to control plants. Under -S conditions, acclimation of GmSULTR1;2b-overexpressing plants was much better than control plants. GmSULTR1;2b-overexpressing tobacco seedlings showed better tolerance to drought stress than the control plants, but no significant difference was observed under salt stress. Transcriptome analysis revealed 515 genes with at least a 2-fold change in expression in the leaves of tobacco plants overexpressing GmSULTR1;2b. Of these, 227 gene annotations were classified into 12 functional categories associated with 123 relevant pathways, including biosynthesis and metabolism-related proteins, stress-related proteins, and transporters.ConclusionsThe findings reported here indicate that the increased biomass and seed yield observed in transgenic tobacco plants could have resulted from greater nutrient uptake and transport capability as well as enhanced development and accumulation of organic matter. Taken together, our results indicate that GmSULTR1;2b plays an important role in sulfur uptake and could alter the sulfur status of plants. Our study suggests that overexpressing GmSULTR1;2b may enhance plant yield under +S conditions, reduce plant production loss under -S conditions, and improve plant tolerance to sulfur deficiency stress.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-2705-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Changes in the OXPHOS system in leaf and root mitochondria of Arabidopsis thaliana subjected to long-term sulphur deficiency

Long-term sulphur (S) deficiency in Arabidopsis thaliana affects the functioning of the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system (OXPHOS) via alteration of the multisubunit NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (Complex I; EC 1.6.5.3), which contains several iron–sulphur clusters. Densitometric analysis of bands of respiratory chain complexes after one-dimensional blue-native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (BN-PAGE) showed that levels and in-gel capacities of Complex I in leaf and root mitochondria were lower than those of the control. Two-dimensional BN/SDS-PAGE showed lower abundance of all Complex I subunits, but the qualitative structural composition (subunit expression and mobility) did not change. In mitochondria of S-deficient A. thaliana, impairment of Complex I could be compensated to some extent by additional type II NADH dehydrogenases that do not contain iron–sulphur clusters. The level and capacity of external NADH dehydrogenases in leaf and root mitochondria was higher under S deficiency, but that of internal NADH dehydrogenases did not differ from the control. The amount of COXII (mitochondrial-encoded subunit of cytochrome c oxidase in Complex IV; EC 1.9.3.1) and the capacity of Complex IV were lower under S deficiency, but levels of alternative oxidase, a bypass to Complex IV, did not change. We discuss S deficiency in A. thaliana in relation to the assembly and stability of Complex I and to a bypass of Complex I by external type II NADH dehydrogenases.

Interactions of Sulfate with Other Nutrients As Revealed by H2S Fumigation of Chinese Cabbage.

Sulfur deficiency in plants has severe impacts on both growth and nutrient composition. Fumigation with sub-lethal concentrations of H2S facilitates the supply of reduced sulfur via the leaves while sulfate is depleted from the roots. This restores growth while sulfate levels in the plant tissue remain low. In the present study this system was used to reveal interactions of sulfur with other nutrients in the plant and to ascertain whether these changes are due to the absence or presence of sulfate or rather to changes in growth and organic sulfur. There was a complex reaction of the mineral composition to sulfur deficiency, however, the changes in content of many nutrients were prevented by H2S fumigation. Under sulfur deficiency these nutrients accumulated on a fresh weight basis but were diluted on a dry weight basis, presumably due to a higher dry matter content. The pattern differed, however, between leaves and roots which led to changes in shoot to root partitioning. Only the potassium, molybdenum and zinc contents were strongly linked to the sulfate supply. Potassium was the only nutrient amongst those measured which showed a positive correlation with sulfur content in shoots, highlighting a role as a counter cation for sulfate during xylem loading and vacuolar storage in leaves. This was supported by an accumulation of potassium in roots of the sulfur-deprived plants. Molybdenum and zinc increased substantially under sulfur deficiency, which was only partly prevented by H2S fumigation. While the causes of increased molybdenum under sulfur deficiency have been previously studied, the relation between sulfate and zinc uptake needs further clarification.

Properties of single-layer MoS2 film fabricated by combination of sputtering deposition and post deposition sulfurization annealing using (t-C4H9)2S2

The fabrication of a high-quality single-layer MoS2 film was achieved at a sufficiently low temperature of 500 °C by the combination of sputtering deposition and post deposition sulfurization annealing. Fabrication only by sputtering produces unintentionally sulfur-deficient nonstoichiometric films with poor crystalline quality in nature, making it difficult to fabricate atomically thin sputtered MoS2 films, especially with a single layer. From the results of the sulfurization annealing, sulfur deficiencies in the film were fully complemented and the crystalline quality, especially in-plane symmetry, was dramatically improved. The quasi-layered structure of the sputtered-MoS2 film led to the success in achieving low-temperature sulfurization annealing. Moreover, the film had large area uniformity, accurate thickness controllability, a direct bandgap of 1.86 eV, and an extremely high visible transmittance of more than 97%. Therefore, we consider that the fabrication technique will contribute to realizing MoS2 display applications such as a low-power-consumption thin-film-transistor liquid crystal display.

Combinatorial use of sulfur-responsive regions of sulfate transporters provides a highly sensitive plant-based system for detecting selenate and chromate in the environment

ABSTRACTSelenium and chromium are heavy metals that are highly toxic to living organisms when they are present in excess amounts. The major forms of selenium and chromium in the environment are selenate and chromate, which act as toxic analogs of sulfate in plants, inhibiting its uptake and causing sulfur deficiency. To provide simple and inexpensive means of environmental analysis for selenate and chromate, we previously developed a model system for detecting and quantifying their levels by measuring the accumulation of green fluorescent protein (GFP) in transgenic plants under the control of the sulfur-responsive promoter region of the high-affinity sulfate transporter SULTR1;2 from Arabidopsis (PSULTR1;2-GFP). However, the detection limit for both selenate and chromate was 10 μmol L−1, which was higher than the environmental standards. Here, we report a more sensitive monitoring system for selenium and chromium by combining PSULTR1;2 with another sulfur-responsive region of the sulfate transporter SULTR2;1 located in the 3ʹ-non-transcribed intergenic region (TSULTR2;1). The fusion gene construct consisting of PSULTR1;2, GFP and TSULTR2;1 (PSULTR1;2-GFP-TSULTR2;1) was introduced into Arabidopsis plants, and PSULTR1;2-GFP-TSULTR2;1 transgenic plants showed significant increases in GFP under sulfur-deficient conditions or with the addition of selenate or chromate to the growth medium. The increase in GFP depended on selenate concentration. Overall, the use of PSULTR1;2-GFP-TSULTR2;1 plants decreased the detection limits to 1 and 3 μmol L−1 for selenate and chromate, respectively, providing a highly sensitive plant-based system for detecting selenium and chromium in the environment.

Role of sulfur nutrition in plant and seed metabolism of Glycine max L.

ABSTRACTThe aim of present investigation has been to explore the effect of sulfur application on plant metabolism, seed yield and seed quality in soybean. The sulfur was supplied in different doses ranging as 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 meq S L−1. Plant supplied with 4 meq S L−1 showed optimal growth. Plant growth and dry matter was reduced under sulfur deficiency (1 and 2 meq S L−1) and toxicity (6 and 8 meq S L−1). Application of sulfur increases the tissue sulfur and cysteine concentration in both leaves and seeds. The critical concentration for deficiency (CCD) and toxicity (CCT) of sulfur was observed 0.194 to 0.277% dry weight respectively. Pod yield and seed yield was also suppressed in sulfur deficiency and toxicity. In leaves sugar (reducing, non-reducing and total sugar) and starch was found to be accumulated while in seeds both were depleted under sulfur deficiency and toxicty. Seed storage proteins (albumins, globulins, glutelins and prolamins) were also reduced under sulfur stress. Thus, we conclude that sulfur deficiency and toxicity both affects the plant metabolism, yield and seed quality in terms of carbohydrates and storage proteins of soybean.

Yellow deposits formation in roots is a part of tobacco plant phenotype under sulfur deficiency

Background and Purpose: It is known that plants respond to sulfur (S) deficit by adapting their physiology and development. Nowadays, scientists concentrate on the cellular level of such response, studying molecular processes, often treating visual phenotypes as fully explored and obvious. The goal of this study was to challenge such believes and find a new visual phenotype of plants during their response to S deficit.Materials and Methods: The macroscopic and microscopic observation of Nicotiana tabacum plants grown under sulfur deficiency or control condition was conducted. Additionally, the absorbance spectrum of ethanol extracts from plant roots was measured.Results and Conclusions: In this study we showed that root color changes from colorless to yellow after transfer to S deficiency conditions. Microscopic observation of yellow roots showed that their color is a result of the yellowish deposits formation inside the root epidermis cells. Next experiments allowed to narrow down the list of chemicals responsible for the observed root phenotype to UV absorbing compounds. Our results, taken together with the data available in literature, pointed to the phenolic compounds as the most probable component of yellowish deposits responsible for change of root color during plant response to S deficiency. The physiological role of such accumulation is yet to be determined.