No evidence for competition between arsenate and phosphate for uptake from soil by medic or barley

We investigated the effects of phosphorus (P) supply on the uptake and toxicity of arsenate (As(V)) in two plant species (Medicago truncatula and Hordeum vulgare) grown in soil/sand mixes. Our initial hypothesis was that competition between phosphate (Pi) and As(V) for uptake would be observed, and that this would be the basis for the ‘protective’ effect of P with respect to As toxicity, as shown in solution culture. Addition of P to the soil/sand mixes did not have major effects on water extractable As, or vice versa. We observed that toxic effects of As(V) on plant growth were ameliorated by increased P in both plant species. However, we found no evidence that increased P supply reduced specific uptake of As(V) on a molar basis, so that competition with Pi could not be the basis for the effect. A more complex mechanism of protection is indicated which might relate to different Pi transport systems being expressed at different P levels.