The balance between rhizosphere carboxylates and arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in wheat phosphorus acquisition

• Published in: BMC plant biology Vol. 25; no. 1; pp. 1031 - 12
• Main Authors: Pu, Zitian, Zhang, Ruifang, Zhang, Chi, Wang, Hong, Wang, Xin-Xin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 06.08.2025; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Acid phosphatase; Acids; Agricultural research; Anions; Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; Arbuscular mycorrhizas; Biomass; Carboxylates; Carboxylic acids; Carboxylic Acids - metabolism; Chemical properties; Cultivation; Environmental aspects; Exudates; Genotypes; Grain cultivation; Inoculation; Morphology; Mycorrhizae - physiology; Mycorrhizas; Phosphatase; Phosphorus; Phosphorus - metabolism; Physiological aspects; Physiology; Plant growth; Plant Roots - metabolism; Plant Roots - microbiology; Plant Shoots - metabolism; Rhizosphere; Root morphology; Symbiosis; Triticum - genetics; Triticum - growth & development; Triticum - metabolism; Triticum - microbiology; Wheat; Wheat genotypes; China; Phosphorus; Wheat genotypes; Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; Root morphology; Carboxylates
• DOI: 10.1186/s12870-025-07023-6
• ISSN: 1471-2229

Changes in plant growth and root traits in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) vary depending on the level of phosphorus (P) supply. Two important strategies for P acquisition in wheat are the release of carboxylates into the rhizosphere and the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). However, the relationship between root exudates and P concentration in the shoot and root, as well as the role of AMF in this process, is not yet fully understood. This study was conducted utilizing three P supply rates (0, 50, and 200 mg P kg soil) in conjunction with AMF inoculation. We examined the effects of AMF on amount of rhizosphere carboxylates and plant P uptake for nine P contrasting wheat genotypes. AMF decreased carboxylates, root biomass, root P content of wheat, and AMF reduced wheat root P allocation of wheat under all P levels. Notably, at 50 mg kg P level, the shoot P concentration of AMF-inoculated wheat exceeded that of other P levels, having a positive mycorrhizal responsiveness in all wheat genotypes. Furthermore, analysis revealed that wheat root morphology and acid phosphatase activity significantly influenced mycorrhizal growth responsiveness, while root carboxylates played a significant role in mycorrhizal P responsiveness. The P acquisition of wheat was found to be contingent upon the interplay of root morphology, AMF, and carboxylate levels, with AMF and carboxylate playing a more crucial role in enhancing P absorption. Consequently, the current research provides important insights for nutrient management in wheat agricultural cultivation.