Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 21, 2026

A Simple Protocol for Mapping the Plant Root System Architecture Traits
Published on: February 10, 2023
Root architecture responses: in search of phosphate
Benjamin Péret1, Thierry Desnos2, Ricarda Jost2
1Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche Biologie Végétale et Microbiologie Environnementales, F-13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France (B.P., T.D., L.N.);Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Institut de Biologie Environnementale et Biotechnologies, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement des Plantes, F-13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France (B.P., T.D., L.N.);Faculté des Sciences de Luminy, Aix-Marseille Université, F-13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France (B.P., T.D., L.N.);School of Plant Biology M084 (R.J., O.B.) andAustralian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology (O.B.), University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia; andDevelopment of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Kobe 657-8501, Japan (S.K.) benjamin.peret@cea.fr.
Abstract:
Soil phosphate represents the only source of phosphorus for plants and, consequently, is its entry into the trophic chain. This major component of nucleic acids, phospholipids, and energy currency of the cell (ATP) can limit plant growth because of its low mobility in soil. As a result, root responses to low phosphate favor the exploration of the shallower part of the soil, where phosphate tends to be more abundant, a strategy described as topsoil foraging. We will review the diverse developmental strategies that can be observed among plants by detailing the effect of phosphate deficiency on primary and lateral roots. We also discuss the formation of cluster roots: an advanced adaptive strategy to cope with low phosphate availability observed in a limited number of species. Finally, we will put this work into perspective for future research directions.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
The Phosphorus Cycle
Phosphorylation
During phosphorylation, protein kinases transfer the terminal phosphate group of ATP to specific amino acid side chains of substrate proteins. Serine, threonine, and tyrosine are the most commonly...
Phosphorylation
Phosphate Buffer
Sodium dihydrogen phosphate does not fully dissociate in neutral or acidic solutions. When a strong base, such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH), is introduced into the solution, sodium dihydrogen phosphate...
ATP Energy Storage and Release
One example of energy coupling using ATP involves a...
Roles of Electrolytes: Calcium and Phosphate
The calcium concentration in blood plasma is primarily...

