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Partitioning of phosphorus between biochemical and storage compounds in leaves follows a consistent pattern across four Australian genera growing in native settings

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Abstract

Aims

The aims of this study were to (i) assess how the P concentration in leaves of common Australian native plant species varies across a broad geographic region that includes naturally low to naturally high P status soils; and (ii) investigate whether there is a connection between P speciation and P concentration in these leaves.

Methods

An ecological transect along the western edge of the Great Dividing Range was sampled for soil and leaf material of four genera (Acacia, Callitris, Einadia and Eucalyptus). Soil and leaf samples were analysed for total P, while 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (31P NMR) spectroscopy was used to determine P speciation in leaves.

Results

Soil P concentration was influenced by parent material, with soils developed on basalt particularly high in P. Leaf P concentration also varied, but this variation was poorly correlated with soil P concentration. Solution 31P NMR demonstrated uniformity in biochemical partitioning of leaf P. Concentrations of ‘biochemical’ organic P (phospholipid-P and RNA-P) in leaves were relatively constant at 200–300 mg kg−1, while concentrations of ‘storage’ P forms (orthophosphate-P and phytate-P) increased with increasing total leaf P concentration and reached values >2000 mg kg−1.

Conclusions

These findings improve understanding of P cycling in native Australian ecosystems. Adaptation to the highest P sites resulted in accumulation of storage P forms, rather than down-regulating P uptake. At most sites, plants act as P pumps, shifting sparsely available P into the topsoil, by accumulating more P than they need and eventually shedding it in litter.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA) through an AW Howard Memorial Trust Honours Scholarship. We thank Emrys Leitch for helping select which species to target, Ben Freeling for assistance with statistical analyses and Deanna Wilson for technical support and feedback on the design of the figures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Agriculture, Food and Wine and Waite Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Prescott Building, Waite Campus, Urrbrae, SA, 5064, Australia

    Maximilian McQuillan, Ronald J. Smernik & Ashlea L. Doolette

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  1. Maximilian McQuillan
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  2. Ronald J. Smernik
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  3. Ashlea L. Doolette
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Correspondence to Ronald J. Smernik.

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McQuillan, M., Smernik, R.J. & Doolette, A.L. Partitioning of phosphorus between biochemical and storage compounds in leaves follows a consistent pattern across four Australian genera growing in native settings. Plant Soil 454, 57–75 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-020-04567-4

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