Rhizosphere calcareous soil P-extraction at the expense of organic carbon from root-exuded organic acids induced by phosphorus deficiency in several plant species

The amount of organic acids in root exudates rapidly increases under phosphorus (P) deficiency. Loss of carbon from root-exuded organic acids, which are derived from plant net photosynthetic products, is generally considered negligible. The present study aimed to study the characteristics of root-exuded organic acids, extraction of phosphorus (P extraction) in calcareous soil and the expression of organic carbon from root-exuded organic acids in two woody Moraceae plants (Broussonetia papyrifera L. Vent and Morus alba L.) and two herbaceous cruciferous plants (Orychophragmus violaceus L. Schulz and Brassica napus L.) under two P levels (P-normal and P-deficient). P extraction and the amount of root-exuded organic acids simultaneously and disproportionately increased in the four plant species tested under P deficiency. The maximum P-extracting capability of the four plant species was observed after 40 days of treatment. Additionally, the response of root-exuded organic acids induced by P deficiency was species-specific. B. papyrifera extracted more P in calcareous soil, and expended less organic acid for the same P-extraction than M. alba. Similarly, O. violaceus extracted more P in calcareous soil, and consumed less organic acid for the same level of P-extraction than B. napus. Root-exuded oxalic and malic acids accounted for most of the increment of P extraction in woody Moraceae plants, while root-exuded citric acid accounted for most of the increment in P extraction in herbaceous cruciferous plants. B. papyrifera and O. violaceus exhibited the strongest P-extracting capability at lower expense of organic carbon over the treatment duration in the four plant species. O. violaceus had the most rapid response of root-exuded organic acids to P deficiency, while B. napus had the slowest response. Thus, rapid response with low organic carbon cost and high efficiency of extraction on P in calcareous soil may underlie the strong adaptability of B. papyrifera and O. violaceus to a Karst environment.