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Abstract
Leaf phosphorus (P) comprises four major fractions: inorganic phosphate (Pi), nucleic acids, phospholipids, P-containing metabolites and a residual fraction. In this review paper, we investigated whether allocation of P fractions varies among groups of terrestrial vascular plants, and is indicative of a species' strategy to use P efficiently. We found that as leaf total P concentration increases, the Pi fraction increases the most, without a plateau, while other fractions plateau. Variability of the concentrations of leaf P fractions is greatest among families > species(family) > regions > plant life forms. The percentage of total P allocated to nucleic acid-P (20–35%) and lipid-P (14–34%) varies less among families/species. High photosynthetic P-use efficiency is associated with low concentrations of all P fractions, and preferential allocation of P to metabolite-P and mesophyll cells. Sequential resorption of P from senescing leaves starts with Pi, followed by metabolite-P, and then other organic P fractions. Allocation of P to leaf P fractions varies with season. Leaf phytate concentrations vary considerably among species, associated with variation in photosynthesis and defence. Plasticity of P allocation to its fractions is important for acclimation to low soil P availability, and species-specific P allocation is needed for co-occurrence with other species.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1122-1135 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | New Phytologist |
Volume | 237 |
Issue number | 4 |
Early online date | 3 Nov 2022 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Feb 2023 |
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Dive into the research topics of 'Phosphorus fractions in leaves'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
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Facilitation of high leaf phosphorus-use efficiency by nitrate restraint
Lambers, H. (Investigator 01), Finnegan, P. (Investigator 02) & Dassanayake, M. (Investigator 03)
ARC Australian Research Council
1/07/20 → 1/07/24
Project: Research