Genome-wide identification of genes associated with enhanced carbon secretion in cluster roots of Lupinus albus L

Several plant species adapted to low-phosphorus (P) conditions develop cluster roots, specialized structures that release organic acids and acid phosphatases (APases) to increase inorganic phosphate (Pi) availability. White lupin (Lupinus albus L.) is used as a model for studying cluster root function. Using a positron-emitting tracer imaging system (PETIS), we previously observed spot-like carbon (C) secretion patterns in the cluster roots of white lupin, the amounts of which differed widely among spots, suggesting variation in secretion activity among cluster roots. Here, we combined PETIS with RNA-Seq to investigate transcriptomic differences between cluster roots with varying secretion activities. We identified 564 genes positively correlated and 135 genes negatively correlated with secretion levels. Among the positively correlated genes, we found three aluminum-activated malate transporter genes and two multidrug and toxic compound extrusion genes, likely involved respectively in malate and citrate secretion. Two APase genes encoding putative secreted enzymes were also upregulated. All Pi transporter genes except PHO1;6H were stably expressed, whereas PHO1;6H was significantly upregulated in high-C-secreting roots. Our findings highlight putative genes potentially involved in Pi mobilization, offering insights into plant adaptation to P deficiency.