Metabolism and Transport of Carbon in Legume Nodules Under Phosphorus Deficiency

Legume genetic resources and transcriptome dynamics under abiotic stress conditions

“…In addition to the above abiotic stressors, Pi deficiency is known to be a major limitation for symbiotic N 2 fixation, and hence can reduce legume crop productivity (Kleinert, Thuynsma, Magadlela, Benedito, & Valentine, ; Nasr Esfahani et al, ). Recently, Nasr Esfahani et al () investigated transcriptome changes in the nodules of Mesorhizobium ciceri CP‐31‐( Mc CP‐31)‐chickpea and Mesorhizobium mediterraneum SWRI9‐( Mm SWRI9)‐chickpea associations under Pi‐deficient and Pi‐sufficient conditions.…”

Metabolomics and Transcriptomics in Legumes Under Phosphate Deficiency in Relation to Nitrogen Fixation by Root Nodules

“…These results revealed the existence of crosstalk among various signaling pathways involved in regulation of Mesorhizobium -chickpea adaptation to P i deficiency, in-depth understanding of which at genetic level will be useful for genetic engineering of chickpea cultivars and other leguminous crops that can sustain efficient SNF under P i deficiency. C and N metabolism is essential for SNF, and is a significant determinant of plant and nodule responses to P i starvation ( Kleinert et al, 2017 ). Some studies have shown that even under P i deficiency, plant nodules continue to act as very strong nutrient sinks for C in order to maintain SNF, and underground biomass often continues to increase even at the expense of whole plant growth ( Thuynsma et al, 2014 ; Magadlela et al, 2015 ).…”

“…Phosphorus(P) is a crucial element required for plant growth and development, playing a pivotal role in a diverse array of cellular processes, including photosynthesis, energy production, redox reactions, symbiotic nitrogen (N 2 ) fixation (SNF), and carbohydrate metabolism ( Sulieman and Tran, 2015 ; Kleinert et al, 2017 ). However, more than 30–40% of the world’s arable soils have low P contents, and by 2050 rock phosphate (P i ) reserves, the most inexpensive form of P for fertilization of agricultural soils, may be exhausted ( Vance et al, 2003 ; Herrera-Estrella and López-Arredondo, 2016 ; Kleinert et al, 2017 ). Uptake of P i from some soils can be problematic for plants due to slow P i diffusion rates and the formation of insoluble P i complexes with cations, especially iron and aluminum in acid weathered soils ( Valentine et al, 2010 ; Castro-Guerrero et al, 2016 ).…”

“…Grain legumes are an essential source of nutrition and income for a large number of consumers and farmers worldwide ( Kleinert et al, 2017 ; Abdelrahman et al, 2018 ). Legumes can create symbiotic relationships with N 2 -fixing rhizobia and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi that facilitate the acquisition of nutrients; and thus, reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers, which is advantageous for sustainable agriculture ( Considine et al, 2017 ; Valliyodan et al, 2017 ).…”

“…Legumes have evolved conserved acquisition and internal transport strategies for P i detected in P i -deficient soils in order to maintain nodule P i -homeostasis and enable efficient SNF ( Figure 2 ). These include decreased plant growth rates, modification of carbon metabolism, increased secretion of organic anions and phosphatases, changes in root architecture, expansion of root surface areas, and enhanced expression of P i transporters ( Sulieman and Tran, 2015 ; Considine et al, 2017 ; Kleinert et al, 2017 ; Uhde-Stone, 2017 ). Because of the diminishing reserves of inexpensive P i fertilizers, plant acclimation to P i deficiency has become a topic of considerable interest to plant researchers.…”