Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization negatively affects strigolactone production and exudation in sorghum

Planta. 2013 Nov;238(5):885-94. doi: 10.1007/s00425-013-1943-8. Epub 2013 Aug 8.

Abstract

Strigolactones (SLs) are essential host recognition signals for both root parasitic plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and SLs or their metabolites function as a novel class of plant hormones regulating shoot and root architecture. Our previous study indicated that nitrogen (N) deficiency as well as phosphorus (P) deficiency in sorghum enhanced root content and exudation of 5-deoxystrigol, one of the major SLs produced by sorghum. In the present study, we examined how N and P fertilization affects SL production and exudation in sorghum plants subjected to short- (5 days) or long-term (10 days) N or P deficiency and demonstrated their common and distinct features. The root contents and exudation of SLs in the N- or P-deficient sorghum plants grown for 6, 12 or 24 h with or without N or P fertilization were quantified by LC-MS/MS. In general, without fertilization, root contents and exudation of SLs stayed at similar levels at 6 and 12 h and then significantly increased at 24 h. The production of SLs responded more quickly to P fertilization than the secretion of SLs, while regulation of SL secretion began earlier after N fertilization. It is suggested that sorghum plants regulate SL production and exudation when they are subjected to nutrient deficiencies depending on the type of nutrient and degree of deficiency.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Fertilizers*
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring / chemistry
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring / metabolism*
  • Lactones / chemistry
  • Lactones / metabolism*
  • Nitrogen / deficiency
  • Nitrogen / pharmacology*
  • Phosphorus / pharmacology*
  • Plant Roots / drug effects
  • Plant Roots / metabolism
  • Plant Shoots / drug effects
  • Plant Shoots / metabolism
  • Sorghum / drug effects*
  • Sorghum / growth & development
  • Sorghum / metabolism*

Substances

  • Fertilizers
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring
  • Lactones
  • Phosphorus
  • Nitrogen