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Life on the chalk: mechanisms of plant sensing and adaptation to high-pH soils
Kirti Shekhawat1, Sabiha Parween1, Anam Fatima1
1Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract:
Soil pH is a fundamental determinant of plant health, governing nutrient availability and physiological processes in the rhizosphere. High pH, especially in calcareous soils, reduces the solubility of iron, phosphorus, zinc, and manganese, causing nutrient deficiency, chlorosis, and yield loss. In this review, we summarize recent advances in plant responses to high-pH stress. Plants sense high external pH through changes in membrane potential and the rapid alkalinization factor-FERONIA and plant peptide containing sulfated tyrosine 1-PSY1R systems that regulate plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity. Hormonal signaling, particularly via auxin, integrates pH sensing with root growth regulation and ion homeostasis. Key regulators such as PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE 1, IRON MAN peptides, and basic leucine zipper 19/23 coordinate nutrient homeostasis under high-pH stress. We further discuss calcicole adaptations, microbial partnerships, and soil management practices that mitigate high-pH stress.
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