Abstract
Recently, there has been very rapid progress in understanding the transport of mineral nutrients across plant membranes. Genes for a number of primary ion pumps, cotransporters and ion channels have been cloned and the characteristics of their function are being investigated. While these advances have yet to produce cultivars that are better able to cope with nutrient deficient soils, they provide powerful tools to address some important gaps in our knowledge, particularly the regulation of transporter genes. While the current focus is on nutrient influx into roots, other processes are also significant in determining nutrient acquisition. This is illustrated by research on the relationship between the high affinity phosphate absorption mechanism and phosphate transport to the shoot, and with data on relating to the importance of phosphate efflux relative to influx. Molecular biology and plant physiology are providing information and technology that will be valuable in improving the suitability of crops for nutrient deficient environments. However, there is an urgent need for new ways to integrate this information so that the significance of individual processes to the performance of the whole system can be understood.
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Dunlop, J., Phung, T. Transporter genes to enhance nutrient uptake: Opportunities and challenges. Plant and Soil 245, 115–122 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020614111720
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020614111720