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Published on: February 10, 2023
Biochemical and Molecular Responses Underlying the Contrasting Phosphorus Use Efficiency in Ryegrass Cultivars
Sofía Pontigo1,2, Leyla Parra-Almuna1, Ana Luengo-Escobar3
1Center of Plant Soil Interaction and Natural Resources Biotechnology, Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (BIOREN-UFRO), Universidad de La Frontera, Avenida Francisco Salazar 01145, P.O. Box 54-D, Temuco 4780000, Chile.
Abstract:
Improving plant ability to acquire and efficiently utilize phosphorus (P) is a promising approach for developing sustainable pasture production. This study aimed to identify ryegrass cultivars with contrasting P use efficiency, and to assess their associated biochemical and molecular responses. Nine ryegrass cultivars were hydroponically grown under optimal (0.1 mM) or P-deficient (0.01 mM) conditions, and P uptake, dry biomass, phosphorus acquisition efficiency (PAE) and phosphorus utilization efficiency (PUE) were evaluated. Accordingly, two cultivars with high PAE but low PUE (Ansa and Stellar), and two cultivars with low PAE and high PUE (24Seven and Extreme) were selected to analyze the activity and gene expression of acid phosphatases (APases), as well as the transcript levels of P transporters. Our results showed that ryegrass cultivars with high PAE were mainly influenced by root-related responses, including the expression of genes codifying for the P transporter LpPHT1;4, purple acid phosphatase LpPAP1 and APase activity. Moreover, the traits that contributed greatly to enhanced PUE were the expression of LpPHT1;1/4 and LpPHO1;2, and the APase activity in shoots. These outcomes could be useful to evaluate and develop cultivars with high P-use efficiency, thus contributing to improve the management of P in grassland systems.
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