Root morphological and physiological traits are committed to the phosphorus acquisition of the desert plants in phosphorus-deficient soils

Abstract

Background Phosphorus (P) deficiency in desert ecosystems is widespread. Generally, desert species may allocate an enormous proportion of photosynthetic carbon to their root systems to adjust their P-acquisition strategies. However, root P-acquisition strategies of deep-rooted desert species and the coordination response of root traits at different growth stages to differing soil P availability remains unclear. In this study, a two-year pot experiment was performed with four soil P-supply treatments (0, 0.9, 2.8, and 4.7 mg P kg–1 y–1 for the control, low-, intermediate-, and high-P supply, respectively). Root morphological and physiological traits of one- and two-year-old Alhagi sparsifolia seedlings were measured. Results For two-year-old seedlings, control or low-P supply significantly increased their leaf Mn concentration, coarse and fine roots’ specific root length (SRL), specific root surface area (SRSA), and acid phosphatase activity (APase), but SRL and SRSA of one-year-old seedlings were higher under intermediate-P supply treatment. Root morphological traits were closely correlated with root APase activity and leaf Mn concentration. One-year-old seedlings had higher root APase activity, leaf Mn concentration, and root tissue density (RTD), but lower SRL and SRSA. Two-year-old seedlings had higher root APase activity, leaf Mn concentration, SRL and SRSA, but a lower RTD. Root APase activity was significantly positively correlated with the leaf Mn concentration, regardless of coarse or fine roots. Furthermore, root P concentrations of coarse and fine roots were driven by different root traits, with root biomass and carboxylates secretion particularly crucial root traits for the root P-acquisition of one- and two-year-old seedlings. Conclusions Variation of root traits at different growth stages are coordinated with root P concentrations, indicating a trade-off between root traits and P-acquisition strategies. Alhagi sparsifolia developed two P-activation strategies, increasing P-mobilizing phosphatase activity and carboxylates secretion, to acclimate P-impoverished in soil. The adaptive variation of root traits at different growth stages and diversified P-activation strategies are conducive to maintaining the desert ecosystem productivity.

Lanthanum Significantly Contributes to the Growth of the Fine Roots’ Morphology and Phosphorus Uptake Efficiency by Increasing the Yield and Quality of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Taproots

“…For the lower-order roots of G. uralensis , the smaller diameter of fine roots allows for a more extensive exploration range with relatively low biomass investment, thereby enabling the acquisition of a greater amount of soil resources [ 50 ]. The specific root length (SRL m/g) and the specific surface area (SRA m 2 /g) serve as significant indicators for assessing the costs and benefits associated with root systems.…”

Plant root mechanisms and their effects on carbon and nutrient accumulation in desert ecosystems under changes in land use and climate

“…Photosynthetic organs typically contain higher nutrient concentrations than roots; for instance, ephemerals exhibit rapid growth and often possess leaves with the highest nutrient concentration (Yuan et al ., 2009). Conversely, phreatophytes demonstrate greater adaptability and employ varied strategies for nutrient acquisition, depending on the nutrient availability in the soil, while still maintaining higher nutrient concentrations in the leaves (Yin et al ., 2021a,b; Gao et al ., 2023). Moreover, due to the limited mobility of nutrients in desert soils, changes in SWC significantly influence plant nutrient concentrations.…”

Plant economic strategies in two contrasting forests

“…Therefore, analyzing leaf functional traits in different plants can help arrival at definitive mechanism responding to climate change and human activity. Previous studies using functional traits have broadly focused on testing plant defense synergy and antagonism [ 12 , 13 ], predictions of climate change [ 14 ], and succession and composition of plant community [ 15 ], demonstrating the breadth of applications of functional traits. Although these studies include a number of plant species with multiple observations in many regions even globally [ 16 , 17 ], the number of observations available for any given habitats is scant, especially with respect to the coverage in the two distinct plant communities.…”