Root exudation patterns of contrasting rice (Oryza sativa L.) lines in response to P limitation

MAIN CONCLUSION: Rice exudation patterns changed in response to P deficiency. Higher exudation rates were associated with lower biomass production. Total carboxylate exudation rates mostly decreased under P-limiting conditions. Within the rhizosphere, root exudates are believed to play an important role in plant phosphorus (P) acquisition. This could be particularly beneficial in upland rice production where P is often limited. However, knowledge gaps remain on how P deficiency shapes quality and quantity of root exudation in upland rice genotypes. We therefore investigated growth, plant P uptake, and root exudation patterns of two rice genotypes differing in P efficiency in semi-hydroponics at two P levels (low P = 1 µM, adequate P = 100 µM). Root exudates were collected hydroponically 28 and 40 days after germination to analyze total carbon (C), carbohydrates, amino acids, phenolic compounds spectrophotometrically and carboxylates using a targeted LC-MS approach. Despite their reported role in P solubilization, we observed that carboxylate exudation rates per unit root surface area were not increased under P deficiency. In contrast, exudation rates of total C, carbohydrates, amino acids and phenolics were mostly enhanced in response to low P supply. Overall, higher exudation rates were associated with lower biomass production in the P-inefficient genotype Nerica4, whereas the larger root system with lower C investment (per unit root surface area) in root exudates of the P-efficient DJ123 allowed for better plant growth under P deficiency. Our results reveal new insights into genotype-specific resource allocation in rice under P-limiting conditions that warrant follow-up research including more genotypes.