Phosphorus deficiency changes carbon isotope fractionation and triggers exudate reacquisition in tomato plants

Summary

Abstract Plant roots are able to exude vast amounts of metabolites into the rhizosphere in response to phosphorus (P) deficiency. Causing noteworthy costs in terms of energy and carbon (C) for the plants. Therefore, it is suggested that exudates reacquisition by roots could represent an energy saving strategy of plants. This study aimed at investigating the effect of P deficiency on the ability of hydroponically grown tomato plants to re-acquire specific compounds generally present in root exudates by using 13 C-labelled molecules. Results showed that P deficient tomato plants were able to take up citrate (+ 37%) and malate (+ 37%), particularly when compared to controls. While glycine (+ 42%) and fructose (+ 49%) uptake was enhanced in P shortage, glucose acquisition was not affected by t