Plant growth and phosphorus accumulation of wild type and two root hair mutants of <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i> (Brassicaceae)

The study examined the role of root hairs in phosphorus acquisition in Arabidopsis thaliana by comparing wild-type plants with two root hair mutants (rhd6 and rhd2) under different phosphorus conditions. It found that root hairs significantly enhanced phosphorus uptake and shoot biomass at low to moderate phosphorus levels, with wild-type plants outperforming mutants. However, at high phosphorus levels, all genotypes absorbed phosphorus equally, indicating root hairs were less critical. The study concluded that root hairs are essential for maximizing phosphorus absorption in low-phosphorus environments, compensating for the lack of mycorrhizal associations in Arabidopsis. The research involved 5 plants per genotype per treatment.