Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5585877 | Journal of Genetics and Genomics | 2016 | 27 Pages |
Abstract
Aluminum (Al) toxicity and phosphorous (P) deficiency are two major limiting factors for plant growth on acidic soils. Thus, the physiological mechanisms for Al tolerance and P acquisition have been intensively studied. A commonly observed trait is that plants have developed the ability to utilize organic acid anions (OAs; mainly malate, citrate and oxalate) to combat Al toxicity and P deficiency. OAs secreted by roots into the rhizosphere can externally chelate Al3+ and mobilize phosphate (Pi), while OAs synthesized in the cell can internally sequester Al3+ into the vacuole and release free Pi for metabolism. Molecular mechanisms involved in OA synthesis and transport have been described in detail. Ensuing genetic improvement for Al tolerance and P efficiency through increased OA exudation and/or synthesis in crops has been achieved by transgenic and marker-assisted breeding. This review mainly elucidates the crucial roles of OAs in plant Al tolerance and P efficiency through summarizing associated physiological mechanisms, molecular traits and genetic manipulation of crops.
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Developmental Biology
Authors
Zhi Chang Chen, Hong Liao,