Root plasticity of the Shirvan-Shahi grapevine under phosphorus deficiency: A perspective from microclonal propagation

Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient that plays a central role in plant development and metabolism.However, its limited bioavailability in soil often hampers plant growth and reduces agricultural productivity.This study investigated the impact of varying phosphorus concentrations on the in vitro microclonal propagation of the locally significant and technically valuable Shirvan-Shah grape variety.Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium was supplemented with different levels of KHPO.The most pronounced root development including increased primary root length, a higher number of lateral roots, and greater root biomass was observed in the MS III medium containing of the standard KHPO concentration.In contrast, shoot growth was more prominent in the standard phosphorus medium (MS I), highlighting an inverse relationship between root and shoot development.The MS II medium, with reduced phosphorus and supplemented with exogenous auxin, demonstrated a synergistic effect on root morphogenesis, resulting in the most vigorous root system formation.Adaptive responses to phosphorus deficiency were primarily mediated by auxin accumulation and a reduction in cytokinin levels.Phosphorus limitation induced notable changes in root system architecture, underscoring the importance of further exploring the hormonal and molecular mechanisms underlying plant adaptation to nutrient stress.