Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Water and Mineral Acquisition

Water and Mineral Acquisition

Specialized tissues in plant roots have evolved to capture water, minerals, and some ions from the soil. Roots exhibit a variety of branching patterns that facilitate this process. The outermost root cells have specialized structures called root hairs that increase the root surface, thus increasing soil contact. Water can passively cross into roots, as the concentration of water in the soil is higher than that of the root tissue. Minerals, in contrast, are actively transported into root cells.

Key Elements for Plant Nutrition

Key Elements for Plant Nutrition

Like all living organisms, plants require organic and inorganic nutrients to survive, reproduce, grow and maintain homeostasis. To identify nutrients that are essential for plant functioning, researchers have leveraged a technique called hydroponics. In hydroponic culture systems, plants are grown—without soil—in water-based solutions containing nutrients. At least 17 nutrients have been identified as essential elements required by plants. Plants acquire these elements from the...

The Soil Ecosystem

The Soil Ecosystem

Plants obtain inorganic minerals and water from the soil, which acts as a natural medium for land plants. The composition and quality of soil depend not only on the chemical constituents but also on the presence of living organisms. In general, soils contain three major components:

Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores

Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores

Plants often form mutualistic relationships with soil-dwelling fungi or bacteria to enhance their roots’ nutrient uptake ability. Root-colonizing fungi (e.g., mycorrhizae) increase a plant’s root surface area, which promotes nutrient absorption. While root-colonizing, nitrogen-fixing bacteria (e.g., rhizobia) convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3), making nitrogen available to plants for various biological functions. For example, nitrogen is essential for the...

The Phosphorus Cycle

The Phosphorus Cycle

Unlike carbon, water, and nitrogen, phosphorus is not present in the atmosphere as a gas. Instead, most phosphorus in the ecosystem exists as compounds, such as phosphate ions (PO43-), found in soil, water, sediment and rocks. Phosphorus is often a limiting nutrient (i.e., in short supply). Consequently, phosphorus is added to most agricultural fertilizers, which can cause environmental problems related to runoff in aquatic ecosystems.

The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition

The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition

Plants have the impressive ability to create their own food through photosynthesis. However, plants often require assistance from organisms in the soil to acquire the nutrients they need to function correctly. Both bacteria and fungi have evolved symbiotic relationships with plants that help the species to thrive in a wide variety of environments.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Barriers to adequate fruit and vegetable Consumption: Exploring biases towards canned & frozen food in a qualitative study.

Appetite·2025

Same author

The effects of oxalates produced by Salsola tragus on the phosphorus nutrition of Stipa pulchra.

Oecologia·2017

Same author

Shading reduces exploitation of soil nitrate and phosphate by Agropyron desertorum and Artemisia tridentata from soils with patchy and uniform nutrient distributions.

Oecologia·2017

Same author

Downward flux of water through roots (i.e. inverse hydraulic lift) in dry Kalahari sands.

Oecologia·2017

Same author

Belowground productivity of two cool desert communities.

Oecologia·2017

Same author

Coping with herbivory: Photosynthetic capacity and resource allocation in two semiarid Agropyron bunchgrasses.

Oecologia·2017

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 6, 2026

Two-Dimensional Visualization and Quantification of Labile, Inorganic Plant Nutrients and Contaminants in Soil

Two-Dimensional Visualization and Quantification of Labile, Inorganic Plant Nutrients and Contaminants in Soil

Published on: September 1, 2020

Soil solution phosphate, root uptake kinetics and nutrient acquisition: implications for a patchy soil environment.

M M Caldwell¹, L M Dudley², B Lilieholm²

¹Department of Range Science and the Ecology Center, Utah State University, 84322-5230, Logan, UT, USA.

|March 18, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Improving root phosphate (P) uptake and proliferation in fertile soil patches significantly boosts P acquisition. Enhanced root P uptake kinetics, rather than proliferation alone, is key for maximizing nutrient uptake in these localized, P-rich environments.

Keywords:

Agropyron desertorum Artemisia tridentata Root kinetics Root proliferation Soil phosphate

More Related Videos

A Simple Protocol for Mapping the Plant Root System Architecture Traits

A Simple Protocol for Mapping the Plant Root System Architecture Traits

Published on: February 10, 2023

An Optimized Rhizobox Protocol to Visualize Root Growth and Responsiveness to Localized Nutrients

An Optimized Rhizobox Protocol to Visualize Root Growth and Responsiveness to Localized Nutrients

Published on: October 22, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 6, 2026

Two-Dimensional Visualization and Quantification of Labile, Inorganic Plant Nutrients and Contaminants in Soil

Two-Dimensional Visualization and Quantification of Labile, Inorganic Plant Nutrients and Contaminants in Soil

Published on: September 1, 2020

A Simple Protocol for Mapping the Plant Root System Architecture Traits

A Simple Protocol for Mapping the Plant Root System Architecture Traits

Published on: February 10, 2023

An Optimized Rhizobox Protocol to Visualize Root Growth and Responsiveness to Localized Nutrients

An Optimized Rhizobox Protocol to Visualize Root Growth and Responsiveness to Localized Nutrients

Published on: October 22, 2018

Area of Science:

Plant Physiology
Soil Science
Agricultural Science

Background:

Phosphate (P) acquisition by plants is crucial for growth, often limited by soil P availability.
Fertile soil microsites offer localized high P concentrations, but plant uptake efficiency varies.
Previous understanding suggested diffusion limitation restricts the benefit of enhanced P uptake capacity.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of root phosphate (P) uptake kinetics and root proliferation in acquiring P from fertile soil microsites.
To compare simulation model predictions with experimental data on P acquisition efficiency.
To evaluate the impact of elevated P uptake kinetics versus root proliferation on P acquisition.

Main Methods:

Utilized a simulation model to explore P acquisition from fertile soil microsites.
Compared model-calculated uptake with experimental data, including a dual-isotope-labeling experiment.
Analyzed the partitioning of added P into soil solution (P₁) and adsorbed P fractions.

Main Results:

P acquisition from fertile microsites was approximately 20 times higher than from P-unfertilized soil.
Simulation results generally agreed with experimental data, indicating enhanced root P uptake kinetics contributed more than root proliferation.
Selective elevation of root P uptake kinetics in fertile microsites proved highly beneficial, even in calcareous soils with low P release.

Conclusions:

Increased root P uptake kinetics is a significant factor for enhanced P acquisition from fertile soil patches.
Elevated physiological uptake capacity for P can be highly beneficial in patchy soil environments, contrary to previous assumptions.
The benefits of enhanced root P uptake kinetics are likely greater in noncalcareous soils with higher P release rates.