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- Title
The effect of phosphorus on cluster-root formation and functioning of Embothrium coccineum (R. et J. Forst.)
- Authors
Delgado, M.; Zúñiga-Feest, A.; Alvear, M.; Borie, F.
- Abstract
Background and aims: Embothrium coccineum (R. et J. Forst.) is a Proteaceae species from the southern part of South America. South-central Chilean soils are younger and contain more phosphorus (P) than soils in Australia and South Africa, where Proteaceae are common. Phosphorus deficiency is the main factor promoting cluster-root formation in Proteaceae. It is not known, however, whether this also applies to E. coccineum, which grows on soils with higher P content. Methods: Four-month-old seedlings were grown for 4 weeks in hydroponic cultures with 1 μM P or 50 μM P. The number of cluster roots, relative height increment, biomass distribution, cluster root/total root biomass ratio, foliar P concentration, root acid phosphatase activity and root carboxylate-exudation rates were determined. Results: Seedlings growing at 50 μM P showed a 10−, 1.3− and 3.3-fold greater increase in relative height, total dry mass and foliar P concentration, respectively, compared with those grown at1 μM P. However, seedlings grown at 1 μM P showed a 5−, 16−, 1.7− and 1.3-fold greater number of cluster roots, cluster root/total root biomass ratio, phosphatase activity and total carboxylate exudation, respectively, as compared with those grown at 50 μM P. Conclusions: A low P supply promotes the initiation, growth and metabolic activity of cluster roots which is in accordance with reports on Proteaceae species occurring in ancient and highly weathered soils.
- Subjects
PHOSPHORUS; PLANT roots; PROTEACEAE; CHEMICAL composition of plants; CARBOXYLATE derivatives; BIOMASS; EMBOTHRIUM coccineum; EMBOTHRIUM
- Publication
Plant & Soil, 2013, Vol 373, Issue 1/2, p765
- ISSN
0032-079X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s11104-013-1829-3