Exodermis and Endodermis Respond to Nutrient Deficiency in Nutrient-Specific and Localized Manner

The exodermis is a common apoplastic barrier of the outer root cortex, with high environmentally-driven plasticity and a protective function. This study focused on the trade-off between the protective advantages provided by the exodermis and its disadvantageous reduction of cortical membrane surface area accessible by apoplastic route, thus limiting nutrient acquisition from the rhizosphere. We analysed the effect of nutrient deficiency (N, P, K, Mg, Ca, K, Fe) on exodermal and endodermal differentiation in maize. To differentiate systemic and localized effects, nutrient deficiencies were applied in three different approaches: to the root system as a whole, locally to discrete parts, or on one side of a single root. Our study showed that the establishment of the exodermis was enhanced in low-N and low-P plants, but delayed in low-K plants. The split-root cultivation proved that the effect is non-systemic, but locally coordinated for individual roots. Within a single root, localized deficiencies didn't result in an evenly differentiated exodermis, in contrast to other stress factors. The maturation of the endodermis responded in a similar way. In conclusion, N, P, and K deficiencies strongly modulated exodermal differentiation. The response was nutrient specific and integrated local signals of current nutrient availability from the rhizosphere.