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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...

Short-distance Transport of Resources

Short-distance Transport of Resources

Short-distance transport refers to transport that occurs over a distance of just 2-3 cells, crossing the plasma membrane in the process. Small uncharged molecules, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water, can diffuse across the plasma membrane on their own. In contrast, ions and larger molecules require the assistance of transport proteins due to their charge or size. Transport across membranes also occurs within individual cells, playing a variety of essential roles for the plant as a whole.

Phosphorylation

Phosphorylation

The addition or removal of phosphate groups from proteins is the most common chemical modification that regulates cellular processes. These modifications can affect the structure, activity, stability, and localization of proteins within cells as well as their interactions with other proteins.
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...

The Apoplast and Symplast

The Apoplast and Symplast

Plant growth depends on its ability to take up water and dissolved minerals from the soil. The root system of every plant is equipped with the necessary tissues to facilitate the entry of water and solutes. The plant tissues involved in the transport of water and minerals have two major compartments - the apoplast and the symplast. The apoplast includes everything outside the plasma membrane of living cells and consists of cell walls, extracellular spaces, xylem, phloem, and tracheids. The...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2025

Author Spotlight: Improved Methods for Preparing Transverse Sections and Unrolled Whole Mounts of Maize Leaf Primordia for Fluorescence and Confocal Imaging

Author Spotlight: Improved Methods for Preparing Transverse Sections and Unrolled Whole Mounts of Maize Leaf Primordia for Fluorescence and Confocal Imaging

Published on: September 22, 2023

Phosphorus acquisition, translocation, and redistribution in maize.

Hui-Ling Guo¹, Meng-Zhi Tian¹, Xian Ri¹

¹State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding (MOE), Center for Maize Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.

Journal of Genetics and Genomics = Yi Chuan Xue Bao

|October 10, 2024

Summary

Improving phosphorus (P) use efficiency in maize is crucial for global food security. This study details the plant mechanisms for P acquisition, translocation, and redistribution, offering insights for sustainable agriculture.

Keywords:

Corn yield Phosphorus acquisition Phosphorus translocation Phosphorus-use efficiency Plant nutrient

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Last Updated: Jun 10, 2025

Author Spotlight: Improved Methods for Preparing Transverse Sections and Unrolled Whole Mounts of Maize Leaf Primordia for Fluorescence and Confocal Imaging

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Published on: September 22, 2023

A Simple Protocol for Mapping the Plant Root System Architecture Traits

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Published on: February 10, 2023

Scalable Transfection of Maize Mesophyll Protoplasts

Scalable Transfection of Maize Mesophyll Protoplasts

Published on: June 23, 2023

Area of Science:

Agricultural Science
Plant Physiology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and crop yield, directly impacting global food security.
Plants absorb inorganic phosphate (Pi) from soil, but Pi availability is often limited, hindering crop development.
Maize, a vital global crop, requires enhanced P-use efficiency to optimize production and reduce reliance on P fertilizers.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms underlying phosphorus acquisition, translocation, and redistribution in maize.
To integrate findings from model plants like Arabidopsis and rice to deepen the understanding of P nutrition in maize.
To explore the relationship between phosphorus nutrition and plant responses to abiotic stresses.

Main Methods:

Review and synthesis of existing research on maize phosphorus nutrition.
Comparative analysis of P acquisition, translocation, and redistribution mechanisms across maize, Arabidopsis, and rice.
Examination of the interplay between P status and abiotic stress tolerance in plants.

Main Results:

Detailed elucidation of morphological, physiological, and molecular strategies employed by maize for P uptake and utilization.
Identification of conserved and species-specific mechanisms governing P homeostasis.
Evidence of significant correlations between P availability and plant resilience to environmental stressors.

Conclusions:

Understanding the intricate mechanisms of P absorption and use in maize is key to advancing sustainable agricultural practices.
This knowledge can guide the development of maize varieties with improved P-use efficiency, contributing to food security.
Further research into P-stress interactions can enhance crop resilience in challenging environments.