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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.

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 Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition

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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.

Phosphorylation

Phosphorylation

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 10, 2025

Extraction and Quantification of Soluble, Radiolabeled Inositol Polyphosphates from Different Plant Species using SAX-HPLC

Extraction and Quantification of Soluble, Radiolabeled Inositol Polyphosphates from Different Plant Species using SAX-HPLC

Published on: June 26, 2020

Phosphorus Acquisition and Utilization in Plants.

Hans Lambers^1,2

¹School of Biological Sciences and Institute of Agriculture, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia;

Annual Review of Plant Biology

|December 15, 2021

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Integrating molecular and physiological approaches is key for improving plant phosphorus (P) nutrition. Soil factors are crucial for P uptake in low-P soils, more so than transporter kinetics.

Keywords:

carboxylates manganese phosphorus toxicity phosphorus-acquisition efficiency phosphorus-use efficiency silicon

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Area of Science:

Plant Science
Soil Science
Physiology

Background:

Molecular plant phosphorus (P) nutrition research has advanced significantly.
Interdisciplinary insights from soil science, ecophysiology, and crop physiology are often overlooked.

Purpose of the Study:

To propose an integrated approach combining molecular and physiological perspectives for plant P nutrition.
To highlight the importance of soil parameters over transporter kinetics in low-P environments.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature integrating molecular, physiological, and soil science data.
Analysis of plant responses to varying soil P availability and P transporter expression.

Main Results:

P-mobilizing strategies are more effective than mycorrhizal strategies in very low soil P conditions.
Soil parameters are primary determinants of P acquisition from P-impoverished soils.
Altered P transporter expression helps prevent P toxicity.

Conclusions:

Plant P acquisition is heavily influenced by soil conditions, especially in low-P soils.
Understanding trade-offs in P fraction investment requires integrated molecular and physiological research.
Concerted interdisciplinary action is essential for advancing plant P nutrition research.