TY - JOUR
T1 - Low soil phosphorus availability triggers maize growth stage specific rhizosphere processes leading to mineralization of organic P
AU - Joshi, Sunendra R.
AU - Morris, James W.
AU - Tfaily, Malak M.
AU - Young, Robert P.
AU - McNear, David H.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
PY - 2021/2
Y1 - 2021/2
N2 - Aims: In this study, we examine the rhizosphere processes influencing organic P (Po) utilization in soil with low inorganic P (Pi) availability and how they change with plant development. Interactions between plants and the rhizosphere microbial community triggered by P deficiency may provide insights into the role of P availability on degradation of soil organic matter (SOM). Methods: Maize (Zea mays) plants were grown in low P containing soil. Soil pH, potential acid phosphatase activities, soil C and P pools, microbial biomass C and P, microbial community structure, and plant P content were analyzed at different vegetative growth stages (VGS). Results: At early VGS, the plants were P deficient which correlated with greater rhizosphere potential acid phosphatase activity, degradation of SOM and a reduction in the Po pool. At late VGS, the plants appeared to recover which correlated with a decrease in Meh (III) extractable P, an increase in microbial biomass C and P, change in microbial community structure, and greater total P (TP) in the plant biomass. Conclusions: The mineralization of organic C and Po are coupled in low P soil where N is not limited. The overall findings from this study advance our understanding of the coupled biogeochemical rhizosphere processes controlling P cycling at different plant growth stages and notably the importance of Po to the overall P needs of plants in soil with low Pi availability.
AB - Aims: In this study, we examine the rhizosphere processes influencing organic P (Po) utilization in soil with low inorganic P (Pi) availability and how they change with plant development. Interactions between plants and the rhizosphere microbial community triggered by P deficiency may provide insights into the role of P availability on degradation of soil organic matter (SOM). Methods: Maize (Zea mays) plants were grown in low P containing soil. Soil pH, potential acid phosphatase activities, soil C and P pools, microbial biomass C and P, microbial community structure, and plant P content were analyzed at different vegetative growth stages (VGS). Results: At early VGS, the plants were P deficient which correlated with greater rhizosphere potential acid phosphatase activity, degradation of SOM and a reduction in the Po pool. At late VGS, the plants appeared to recover which correlated with a decrease in Meh (III) extractable P, an increase in microbial biomass C and P, change in microbial community structure, and greater total P (TP) in the plant biomass. Conclusions: The mineralization of organic C and Po are coupled in low P soil where N is not limited. The overall findings from this study advance our understanding of the coupled biogeochemical rhizosphere processes controlling P cycling at different plant growth stages and notably the importance of Po to the overall P needs of plants in soil with low Pi availability.
KW - Maize
KW - Organic phosphorus
KW - Phosphorus
KW - Rhizosphere
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U2 - 10.1007/s11104-020-04774-z
DO - 10.1007/s11104-020-04774-z
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85099034742
SN - 0032-079X
VL - 459
SP - 423
EP - 440
JO - Plant and Soil
JF - Plant and Soil
IS - 1-2
ER -