Current Advances in the Molecular Biology of High Efficient Phosphorus Nutrition in Plants

Exploration and utilization of the genetic resources of high efficient phosphorus (P) nutrition in plants are the key to sustainable agricultural development. High efficiency of P nutrition in plants is closely related to root morphology, root exudates, P transport across plasmalemma, phosphorus translocation and symbiosis with microorganisms. These nutritional properties are genetically controlled by multi-genes and characterized by quantitative trait loci. In past years, many genes encoding high-affinity P transporters have been cloned; the genes regulating root-to-shoot P translocation and down-regulating P absorption have been identified. The genetic regulation of root exudation of organic acids and acid phosphatases has been moderately understood. Bacterial citric synthase has been successfully introduced into and overexpressed in plant cells. However, few advances have been made in the molecular biology of root hair, cluster roots, root architecture and mycorrhiza in relation to high efficient P nutrition.