Opportunities for improving phosphorus-use efficiency in crop plants

• Published in: The New phytologist Vol. 195; no. 2; pp. 306 - 320
• Main Authors: Veneklaas, Erik J., Lambers, Hans, Bragg, Jason, Finnegan, Patrick M., Lovelock, Catherine E., Plaxton, William C., Price, Charles A., Scheible, Wolf‐Rüdiger, Shane, Michael W., White, Philip J., Raven, John A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK New Phytologist Trust 01.07.2012; Blackwell Publishing Ltd; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Acquisition; canopy; Crop development; Crop production; Crops; Crops, Agricultural; Crops, Agricultural - genetics; Crops, Agricultural - growth & development; Crops, Agricultural - metabolism; Distribution; dry matter partitioning; ecosystem services; Efficiency; Galactolipids; genetics; Grain; Grain crops; Grains; growth & development; harvest index; Leaves; loci; metabolism; nutrition; Phosphates; Phospholipids; Phosphorus; phosphorus (P) fractions; Phosphorus - metabolism; phosphorus‐use efficiency; Photosynthesis; Phylogeny; Physiology; plant developmental phases; Plant growth; Plant Leaves; Plant Leaves - metabolism; Plant parts; Plants; Productivity; remobilization; Reproduction; ribosomal RNA; rRNA; Seeds; soil; Sulfolipids; Tansley reviews; Uptake; Wheat
• ISSN: 0028-646X; 1469-8137; 1469-8137
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2012.04190.x

Limitation of grain crop productivity by phosphorus (P) is widespread and will probably increase in the future. Enhanced P efficiency can be achieved by improved uptake of phosphate from soil (P-acquisition efficiency) and by improved productivity per unit P taken up (P-use efficiency). This review focuses on improved (P-use efficiency, which can be achieved by plants that have overall lower P concentrations, and by optimal distribution and redistribution of P in the plant allowing maximum growth and biomass allocation to harvestable plant parts. Significant decreases in plant P pools may be possible, for example, through reductions of superfluous ribosomal RNA and replacement of phospholipids by sulfolipids and galactolipids. Improvements in P distribution within the plant may be possible by increased remobilization from tissues that no longer need it (e.g. senescing leaves) and reduced partitioning of P to developing grains. Such changes would prolong and enhance the productive use of P in photosynthesis and have nutritional and environmental benefits. Research considering physiological, metabolic, molecular biological, genetic and phylogenetic aspects of P-use efficiency is urgently needed to allow significant progress to be made in our understanding of this complex trait.