Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The effect of phosphorus on growth and cluster-root formation in the Chilean Proteaceae: Embothrium coccineum (R. et J. Forst.)

  • Regular Article
  • Published:
Plant and Soil Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

One of the main factors that favours the formation of cluster roots is a low supply of phosphorus (P). The soils of southern Chile are mainly formed from volcanic ash, characterized by low levels of available P. Embothrium coccineum, a Chilean Proteaceae species produces cluster roots (CR). The factors that control CR formation in Chilean Proteaceae have not been extensively studied. The objective of this work was to assess the effects of P on the growth and cluster-root formation of E. coccineum. Plants were produced from seeds collected at two different locations: Valdivia and Pichicolo both at 39ºS. They were cultured under similar greenhouse conditions, from June to September, watered twice a week using: distilled water (W), full strength Hoagland’s nutrient solution (H) or Hoagland without P (H-P). At the end of the experiment, height, total dry biomass, number of cluster roots (CR) per plant, CR /total root weight, were measured. Also acid exudation of CR was assayed using bromocresol purple on sterile agar plates. Treatments significantly affected growth and proportion of CR, the highest growth was observed with H. Under all treatments plants produced a similar number of CR. However, the proportion of CR biomass was higher with W and H-P than with H. Plants under W exhibited the lowest growth and low shoot/root ratio. Acid exudation of CR was not detectable in our experiment. These results are discussed comparing CR formation in low P conditions on Lupinus albus and other Proteaceae species, and the possible role of CR formation in E. coccineum considering its wide geographical distribution.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alberdi M (1995) Ecofisiología de especies leñosas de los bosques hidrófilos templados de Chile: Resistencia a la sequía y bajas temperaturas. In: Armesto J, Villagrán C, Arroyo MC (eds), Ecología de los bosques nativos de Chile. Santiago, pp 279–299

  • Borie F, Rubio R (2003) Total and organic phosphorus in Chilean volcanic soils. Gayana Bot 60(1):69–78

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CIREN (2003) Descripciones de suelos. Materiales y símbolos. Estudio Agropecuario, X Región. Tomo I. p 412

  • Covarrubias R, Contreras A (2004) Variación en los microartrópodos del suelo, por manejos forestales de raleo selectivo y cortes en hoyos de luz. Bosque (Valdivia) 25(1):103–116, ISSN 0717-9200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Denton M, Veneklaas E, Freimoser F, Lambers H (2007) Banksia species (Proteaceae) from severely phosphorus-impoverished soils exhibited extreme efficiency in the use and re-mobilization of phosphorus. Plant Cell Environ 30(12):1557–1565

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • DGAC (2007) Dirección meteorológica de Chile. Clima templado lluvioso con influencia mediterránea. 18 diciembre 2007. Disponible en: http://www.meteochile.cl/climas/climas_decima_region.html

  • Diem HG, Duhoux E, Zaid H, Arahou M (2000) Cluster roots in Casuarinaceae: role and relationship to soil nutrient factors. Ann Bot 85:929–936

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Donoso C (2006) Las Especies arbóreas de los Bosques Templados de Chile y Argentina. Autoecología. Marisa Cúneo Ediciones, Valdivia, Chile, p 678

  • Donoso C, Escobar B (1986) Germinación de semillas y técnicas de vivero y plantaciones para las especies de los tipos forestales de la Décima Región. Informe de convenio Nº 102. Proyecto CONAF Décima Región – UACh, p 133

  • Donoso-Ñanculao G, Castro M, Navarrete D, L Bravo, Corcuera L (2009) Inducción estacional de raíces proteoideas en Embothrium coccineum J.R. et G. Foster: factores que afectan su desarrollo. XI Congreso nacional de la ciencia del suelo. Universidad de Concepción, Campus Chillán. Chile 24–26 agosto, 2009

  • Gilbert GA, Knight JD, Vance CP, Allan DL (2000) Proteoid root development of phosphorus deficient white lupin is mimicked by auxin and phosphonate. Ann Bot London 85:921–928

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • González R, Zúñiga-Feest A, Delgado M, Alberdi M (2007) Effect of proteoid roots on growth of Embothrium coccineum and Gevuina avellana. III Summer colloquium in Plant Ecophysiology, Katalapi Park, Chile. 20–23 january 2007

  • Grinbergs J, Valenzuela E, Ramírez C (1987) Formación y desarrollo de raíces proteiformes en plántulas de Gevuina avellana Mol. Agro Sur 15(1):1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Huber A (1970) Diez años de observaciones climáticas en la Estación Teja-Valdivia, Chile. 1960–1969. Valdivia, Chile, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas. Universidad Austral de Chile p 60

  • Jones DL (1998) Organic acids in the rhizosphere-a critical review. Plant Soil 205:25–44

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Keerthisinghe G, Hocking PJ, Ryan PR, Delhaize E (1998) Effect of phosphorus supply on the formation and function of proteoid roots of white lupin (Lupinus albus L.). Plant Cell Environ 21(5):467–478

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krause G (1996) Efectos del sustrato en raíces proteiformes de Genuina avellana Mol. Tesis Ing. Agrónomo. Universidad Austral de Chile, Fac. de Cs. Agrarias, p 81

  • Lambers H, Juniper D, Cawthray GR, Veneklaas EJ, Martinez E (2002) The pattern of carboxylate exudation in Banksia grandis (Proteaceae) is affected by the form of phosphate added to the soil. Plant Soil 238:111–122

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lambers H, Shane M, Cramer M, Pearse S, Veneklaas E (2006) Root Structure and functioning for efficient acquisition of phosphorus: matching morphological and physiological trait. Ann Bot 98:693–713

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lamont BB (2003) Structure, ecology and physiology of root cluster—a review. Plant Soil 248:1–9

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Medel G (2001) Estudio de algunos factores principales en la propagación gámica de Gevuin (Gevuina avellana Mol.). Tesis Ing. Forestal. Universidad Mayor. Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, p 113

  • Morales R (2004) Crecimiento en vivero de plantas de Gevuina avellana Mol. procedentes de distintos árboles semilleros, en función de la fertilización y sus formas de aplicación. Tesis Ing. Agrónomo. Universidad Austral de Chile, Fac. de Cs. Agrarias, p 86

  • Neumann G, Römheld V (2000) The release of root exudates as affected by the plant`s physiological status. In the Rhizosphere: Biochemistry and organic substances in the soil-plant interface. In: Pinton R, Varanini Z, Nannipieri P (eds). Marcel Dekker Inc, New York, pp 41–93

  • Neumann G, Massonneau A, Langlade N, Dinkelaker B, Hengeler C, Römheld V, Martinoia E (2000) Physiological aspects of cluster root function and development in phosphorus-deficient white lupin (Lupinus albus L.). Ann Bot 85:909–919

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Parks SE, Haigh AM, Creswell GC (2000) Stem tissue phosphorus as an index of the phosphorus status of Banksia ericifolia L. Plant Soil 227:59–65

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peñaloza E, Martínez J, Montenegro A, Corchera L (2004) Respuesta de dos especies de lupino a Aluminio fototóxico. Agric Téc (Chile) 64:127–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Pozo F (1989) Influencia de la materia orgánica del suelo en la formación de raíces proteiformes de Gevuina avellana Mol. Tesis Ing. Agrónomo. Universidad Austral de Chile, Fac. de Cs. Agrarias, p 71

  • Purnell HM (1960) Studies of the family Proteaceae. I. Anatomy and morphology of plants of the roots of some Victorian species. Aust J Bot 8:38–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramírez C, Grinbergs J, Valenzuela J, San Martin C (1990) Influencia de las raíces proteiformes en plántulas de Gevuina avellana Mol. Bosque 11:11–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramírez C, Valenzuela E, San Martín C (2004) Nuevos antecedentes sobre desarrollo temprano, morfología y anatomía de las raíces proteiformes de Gevuina avellana. Agro Sur 32(2):33–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodríguez R, Matthei O, Quezada M (1983) Flora arbórea de Chile. Concepción, p 408

  • Roelofs RFR, Rengel Z, Cawthray GR, Dixon KW, Lambers H (2001) Exudation of carboxylates in Australian Proteaceae: chemical composition. Plant Cell Environ 24:891–904

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shane MW, Lambers H (2005) Cluster roots: a curiosity in context. Plant Soil 274:101–125

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shane MW, Lambers H (2006) Systemic suppression of cluster-root formation and net P-uptake rates in Grevillea crithmifolia at elevated P supply: a Proteaceae with resistance for developing symptoms of ‘P toxicity’. J Exp Bot 57(2):413–423

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shane MW, Szota C, Lambers H (2004a) A root trait accounting for the extreme phosphorus sensitivity of Hakea prostrata (Proteaceae). Plant Cell Environ 27:991–1004

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shane MW, McCully ME, Lambers H (2004b) Tissue and cellular phosphorus storage during development of phosphorus toxicity in Hakea prostrata (Proteaceae). J Exp Bot 55:1033–1044

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Skene KR, Kierans M, Sprent JI, Raven JA (1996) Structural aspects of cluster root development in Grevillea robusta Cunn. Ex. R. Br. (Proteaceae). Ann Bot 77:443–451

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strasburger E, Noll F, Schenck H, Schimper A (1986) Tratado de Botánica, 7th edn. Editorial Marín S.A, Barcelona, 1100

    Google Scholar 

  • Zaid H, Arahou M, Diem H, El Morabet R (2003) Is Fe deficiency rather than P deficiency the cause of cluster root formation in Casuarina species? Plant Soil 248:229–235

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zúñiga-Feest A, Delgado M, Reyes-Díaz, Ochoa V (2009) Variación estacional del crecimiento, contenido interno de fósforo y exudación de ácidos en raíces proteoideas en la especie pionera, Embothrium coccineum (R. et J. Forst.) Proteaceae. XI Congreso nacional de la ciencia del suelo. Universidad de Concepción, Campus Chillán. Chile 24–26 agosto 2009

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Fondecyt 11086162 for financial support and Vivero Bosques del Sur from Universidad Austral de Chile, for greenhouse maintenance. Also, Dr. Hans Lambers, Dra. Frida Piper and three anonymous reviewers for critical and helpful comments that improved this manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratorio de Fisiología Vegetal, Instituto de Geociencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Casilla 567, Valdivia, Chile

    Alejandra Zúñiga-Feest & Mabel Delgado

  2. Instituto de Agroindustrias, Universidad de la Frontera, Casilla 54-D, Temuco, Chile

    Miren Alberdi

Authors
  1. Alejandra Zúñiga-Feest
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mabel Delgado
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Miren Alberdi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alejandra Zúñiga-Feest.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Michael Denis Cramer.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zúñiga-Feest, A., Delgado, M. & Alberdi, M. The effect of phosphorus on growth and cluster-root formation in the Chilean Proteaceae: Embothrium coccineum (R. et J. Forst.). Plant Soil 334, 113–121 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-010-0419-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-010-0419-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation