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Tight control of sulfur assimilation: an adaptive mechanism for a plant from a severely phosphorus‐impoverished habitat
Author(s) -
Prodhan M. Asaduzzaman,
Jost Ricarda,
Watanabe Mutsumi,
Hoefgen Rainer,
Lambers Hans,
Finnegan Patrick M.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/nph.14640
Subject(s) - proteaceae , nutrient , biology , sulfur , botany , limiting , chemistry , ecology , mechanical engineering , organic chemistry , engineering
SummaryHakea prostrata (Proteaceae) has evolved in extremely phosphorus (P)‐impoverished habitats. Unlike species that evolved in P‐richer environments, it tightly controls its nitrogen (N) acquisition, matching its low protein concentration, and thus limiting its P requirement for ribosomal RNA (rRNA). Protein is a major sink for sulfur (S), but the link between low protein concentrations and S metabolism in H. prostrata is unknown, although this is pivotal for understanding this species’ supreme adaptation to P‐impoverished soils. Plants were grown at different sulfate supplies for 5 wk and used for nutrient and metabolite analyses. Total S content in H. prostrata was unchanged with increasing S supply, in sharp contrast with species that typically evolved in environments where P is not a major limiting nutrient. Unlike H. prostrata , other plants typically store excess available sulfate in vacuoles. Like other species, S‐starved H. prostrata accumulated arginine, lysine and O‐acetylserine, indicating S deficiency. Hakea prostrata tightly controls its S acquisition to match its low protein concentration and low demand for rRNA , and thus P, the largest organic P pool in leaves. We conclude that the tight control of S acquisition, like that of N, helps H. prostrata to survive in P‐impoverished environments.