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Putting the P in Ptilotus: a phosphorus-accumulating herb native to Australia

Putting the P in Ptilotus: a phosphorus-accumulating herb native to Australia Background and AimsPtilotus polystachyus (green mulla mulla; ptilotus) is a short-lived perennial herb that occurs widely in Australia in arid and semi-arid regions with nutrient poor soils. As this species shows potential for domestication, its response to addition of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) was compared to a variety of the domesticated exotic perennial pasture herb Cichorium intybus (chicory), Puna.MethodsPots were filled with 3 kg of an extremely nutrient-deficient sterilized field soil that contained 3 mg kg1 mineral N and 2 mg kg1 bicarbonate-extractable P. The growth and P and N accumulation of ptilotus and chicory in response to seven rates of readily available phosphorus (0300 mg P pot1) and nitrogen (N) (0270 mg N pot1) was examined.Key ResultsPtilotus grew extremely well under low P conditions: shoot dry weights were 23, 6 and 17 times greater than for chicory at the three lowest levels of P addition, 0, 15 and 30 mg P pot1, respectively. Ptilotus could not downregulate P uptake. Concentrations of P in shoots approached 4 of dry weight and cryo-scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis showed 35196 mm of P in cell vacuoles in a range of tissues from young leaves. Ptilotus had a remarkable tolerance of high P concentrations in shoots. While chicory exhibited symptoms of P toxicity at the highest rate of P addition (300 mg P pot1), no symptoms were present for ptilotus. The two species responded in a similar manner to addition of N.ConclusionsIn comparison to chicory, ptilotus demonstrated an impressive ability to grow well under conditions of low and high P availability. Further study of the mechanisms of P uptake and tolerance in ptilotus is warranted. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Annals of Botany Oxford University Press

Putting the P in Ptilotus: a phosphorus-accumulating herb native to Australia

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References (47)

Publisher
Oxford University Press
Copyright
© Published by Oxford University Press.
Subject
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
ISSN
0305-7364
eISSN
1095-8290
DOI
10.1093/aob/mcp021
pmid
19213796
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Background and AimsPtilotus polystachyus (green mulla mulla; ptilotus) is a short-lived perennial herb that occurs widely in Australia in arid and semi-arid regions with nutrient poor soils. As this species shows potential for domestication, its response to addition of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) was compared to a variety of the domesticated exotic perennial pasture herb Cichorium intybus (chicory), Puna.MethodsPots were filled with 3 kg of an extremely nutrient-deficient sterilized field soil that contained 3 mg kg1 mineral N and 2 mg kg1 bicarbonate-extractable P. The growth and P and N accumulation of ptilotus and chicory in response to seven rates of readily available phosphorus (0300 mg P pot1) and nitrogen (N) (0270 mg N pot1) was examined.Key ResultsPtilotus grew extremely well under low P conditions: shoot dry weights were 23, 6 and 17 times greater than for chicory at the three lowest levels of P addition, 0, 15 and 30 mg P pot1, respectively. Ptilotus could not downregulate P uptake. Concentrations of P in shoots approached 4 of dry weight and cryo-scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis showed 35196 mm of P in cell vacuoles in a range of tissues from young leaves. Ptilotus had a remarkable tolerance of high P concentrations in shoots. While chicory exhibited symptoms of P toxicity at the highest rate of P addition (300 mg P pot1), no symptoms were present for ptilotus. The two species responded in a similar manner to addition of N.ConclusionsIn comparison to chicory, ptilotus demonstrated an impressive ability to grow well under conditions of low and high P availability. Further study of the mechanisms of P uptake and tolerance in ptilotus is warranted.

Journal

Annals of Botany – Oxford University Press

Published: Apr 12, 2009

Keywords: Key words Phosphorus nitrogen hyperaccumulation X-ray microanalysis cell vacuole Australian native plant toxicity domestication phytoremediation Ptilotus polystachyus Cichorium intybus

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