Ethylene and Phosphorus Responses in Plants

The study investigated how plants respond to low phosphorus availability, focusing on the role of ethylene in regulating root hair density and length, as well as basal root angle. In Arabidopsis thaliana, low phosphorus increased root hair density and length, with ethylene manipulation affecting these traits but not the number of cortical cells or trichoblasts. Ethylene-insensitive mutants showed similar responses to low phosphorus as wild-type plants, suggesting separate pathways for phosphorus and ethylene in influencing root hair density. In common bean genotypes, ethylene influenced basal root gravitropic responses to phosphorus availability, with genetic variation affecting root plasticity. Additionally, alumina-buffered phosphorus (Al-P) improved drought tolerance and reduced phosphorus leaching in woody plants, with growth rates comparable to conventional fertilizers. These findings provided insights into root responses to phosphorus limitation, aiding in the development of crops with enhanced nutrient uptake and informing better agricultural practices.