Sugar Beet Roots Release Salicylic and Citramalic Acid to Help Absorb Phosphorus
Author Information
Author(s): Khorassani Reza, Hettwer Ursula, Ratzinger Astrid, Steingrobe Bernd, Karlovsky Petr, Claassen Norbert
Primary Institution: Georg-August-University Göttingen
Hypothesis
Organic compounds exuded by sugar beet roots solubilize soil phosphorus and this exudation is stimulated by phosphorus starvation.
Conclusion
Root exudates of sugar beet contain salicylic acid and citramalic acid, which solubilize soil phosphorus and are released more when the plant is phosphorus deficient.
Supporting Evidence
- Root exudates were collected from plants grown in hydroponics under low- and high-P availability.
- Eight mass spectrometric signals were enhanced at least 5-fold by low P availability.
- Salicylic acid and citramalic acid were shown to mobilize soil phosphorus.
Takeaway
Sugar beet plants release special acids into the soil to help them get more phosphorus when they don't have enough.
Methodology
Root exudates were collected from sugar beet plants grown in hydroponics under low- and high-phosphorus availability, and analyzed using HPLC-ESI-MS.
Limitations
The study was conducted in a hydroponic system, which may differ from soil-grown conditions.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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