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Role of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Nutrition, Growth and Metabolism of Photosynthetic Organisms

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A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant, Algae and Fungi Cell Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 February 2023) | Viewed by 31937

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Alexei Solovchenko

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
Interests: luxury uptake of phosphorus; nutrient biocapture; intracellular nutrient reserves; stress effects on lipid metabolism; high carbon dioxide tolerance; phycoremediation
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues:

In addition to light, photosynthetic organisms, a vital component of the biosphere, require energy, water, and inorganic carbon (a set of mineral nutrients, most important of which are nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P)). Single-celled phototrophs as well as higher plants respond to fluctuations in the nutrient availability by deployment of a broad range of acclimations enhancing the N and P acquisition and accumulation of their reserves. On the cellular and subcellular level, the nutrient deprivation and resupply trigger a profound reprogramming of transcriptome and metabolome. On the ecosystem level, the availability of N and especially P modulates the productivity of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Adequate supply of N and P is a prerequisite for crop productivity and hence for food security. Inefficient use of mineral fertilizers leads to soil degradation and eutrophication of eater bodies. Therefore, the practices and technologies for sustainable use of N and P are in great demand.

This Special Issue is intended to advance our understanding of the effects of N and P availability on different aspects of autotrophic cell functioning, including acquisition and uptake of the nutrients and turnover of their cell reserves. Papers elucidating new aspects of cyanobacterial, algal, and plant cell response to the nutrient shortage and their interplay with other stresses offering further mechanistic insights are welcome. Reviews outlining state-of-the-art developments in these fields can be considered as well.

Dr. Alexei Solovchenko
Guest Editor

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Keywords

nutrient uptake
eutrophication
nutrient starvation and luxury uptake
nutrient reserves
nutrient biocapture
nitrogen fixation
sustainable usage of nutrients
nutrient acquisition
nutrient-mobilizing microorganisms
nutrient bioavailability in soil

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 2632 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Intercropping of Leguminous and Non-Leguminous Desert Plant Species Does Not Facilitate Phosphorus Mineralization and Plant Nutrition

by Akash Tariq, Jordi Sardans, Josep Peñuelas, Zhihao Zhang, Corina Graciano, Fanjiang Zeng, Olusanya Abiodun Olatunji, Abd Ullah and Kaiwen Pan

Cells 2022, 11(6), 998; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11060998 - 15 Mar 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2969

Abstract

More efficient use of soil resources, such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), can improve plant community resistance and resilience against drought in arid and semi-arid lands. Intercropping of legume and non-legumes can be an effective practice for enhancing P mineralization uptake, and plant nutrient status. However, it remains unclear how intercropping systems using desert plant species impact soil-plant P fractions and how they affect N and water uptake capacity. Alhagi sparsifolia (a legume) and Karelinia caspia (a non-legume) are dominant plant species in the Taklamakan Desert in Xinjiang Province, China. However, there is a lack of knowledge of whether these species, when intercropped, can trigger synergistic processes and mechanisms that drive more efficient use of soil resources. Thus, in a field experiment over two years, we investigated the impact of monoculture and intercropping of these plant species on soil-plant P fractions and soil-plant nutrients. Both plant species’ foliar nutrient (N, P, and K) concentrations were higher under monoculture than intercropping (except K in K. caspia). Nucleic acid P was higher in the monoculture plots of A. sparsifolia, consistent with higher soil labile P, while metabolic P was higher in monoculture K. caspia, associated with higher soil moderately labile Pi. However, both species had a higher residual P percentage in the intercropping system. Soils from monoculture and intercropped plots contained similar microbial biomass carbon (MBC), but lower microbial biomass N:microbial biomass phosphorus (MBN:MBP) ratio associated with reduced N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) activity in the intercropped soils. This, together with the high MBC:MBN ratio in intercropping and the lack of apparent general effects of intercropping on MBC:MBP, strongly suggest that intercropping improved microbe N- but not P-use efficiency. Interestingly, while EC and SWC were higher in the soil of the K. caspia monoculture plots, EC was significantly lower in the intercropped plots. Plants obtained better foliar nutrition and soil P mineralization in monocultures than in intercropping systems. The possible positive implications of intercropping for reducing soil salinization and improving soil water uptake and microbial N-use efficiency could have advantages in the long term and its utilization should be explored further in future studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Nutrition, Growth and Metabolism of Photosynthetic Organisms)

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15 pages, 2059 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Simulating the Interplay between the Uptake of Inorganic Phosphate and the Cell Phosphate Metabolism under Phosphorus Feast and Famine Conditions in Chlorella vulgaris

by Tatiana Yu. Plyusnina, Sergei S. Khruschev, Polina V. Fursova, Alexei E. Solovchenko, Taras K. Antal, Galina Yu. Riznichenko and Andrei B. Rubin

Cells 2021, 10(12), 3571; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10123571 - 17 Dec 2021

Viewed by 2335

Abstract

Using a mathematical simulation approach, we studied the dynamics of the green microalga Chlorella vulgaris phosphate metabolism response to shortage and subsequent replenishing of inorganic phosphate in the medium. A three-pool interaction model was used to describe the phosphate uptake from the medium, its incorporation into the cell organic compounds, its storage in the form of polyphosphates, and culture growth. The model comprises a system of ordinary differential equations. The distribution of phosphorous between cell pools was examined for three different stages of the experiment: growth in phosphate-rich medium, incubation in phosphate-free medium, and phosphate addition to the phosphorus-starving culture. Mathematical modeling offers two possible scenarios for the appearance of the peak of polyphosphates (PolyP). The first scenario explains the accumulation of PolyP by activation of the processes of its synthesis, and the decline in PolyP is due to its redistribution between dividing cells during growth. The second scenario includes a hysteretic mechanism for the regulation of PolyP hydrolysis, depending on the intracellular content of inorganic phosphate. The new model of the dynamics of P pools in the cell allows one to better understand the phenomena taking place during P starvation and re-feeding of the P-starved microalgal cultures with inorganic phosphate such as transient PolyP accumulation. Biotechnological implications of the observed dynamics of the polyphosphate pool of the microalgal cell are considered. An approach enhancing the microalgae-based wastewater treatment method based on these scenarios is proposed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Nutrition, Growth and Metabolism of Photosynthetic Organisms)

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14 pages, 2288 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association of Barley Root Elongation with ABA-Dependent Transport of Cytokinins from Roots and Shoots under Supra-Optimal Concentrations of Nitrates and Phosphates

by Lidiya Vysotskaya, Leylya Timergalina, Guzel Akhiyarova, Alla Korobova, Vadim Fedyaev, Igor Ivanov, Guzel Kudoyarova and Dmitry Veselov

Cells 2021, 10(11), 3110; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10113110 - 10 Nov 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1670

Abstract

Changes in root elongation are important for the acquisition of mineral nutrients by plants. Plant hormones, cytokinins, and abscisic acid (ABA) and their interaction are important for the control of root elongation under changes in the availability of ions. However, their role in growth responses to supra-optimal concentrations of nitrates and phosphates has not been sufficiently studied and was addressed in the present research. Effects of supra-optimal concentrations of these ions on root elongation and distribution of cytokinins between roots and shoots were studied in ABA-deficient barley mutant Az34 and its parental variety, Steptoe. Cytokinin concentration in the cells of the growing root tips was analyzed with the help of an immunohistochemical technique. Increased concentrations of nitrates and phosphates led to the accumulation of ABA and cytokinins in the root tips, accompanied by a decline in shoot cytokinin content and inhibition of root elongation in Steptoe. Neither of the effects were detected in Az34, suggesting the importance of the ability of plants to accumulate ABA for the control of these responses. Since cytokinins are known to inhibit root elongation, the effect of supra-optimal concentration of nitrates and phosphates on root growth is likely to be due to the accumulation of cytokinins brought about by ABA-induced inhibition of cytokinin transport from roots to shoots. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Nutrition, Growth and Metabolism of Photosynthetic Organisms)

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21 pages, 4171 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phosphorus Feast and Famine in Cyanobacteria: Is Luxury Uptake of the Nutrient Just a Consequence of Acclimation to Its Shortage?

by Alexei Solovchenko, Olga Gorelova, Olga Karpova, Irina Selyakh, Larisa Semenova, Olga Chivkunova, Olga Baulina, Elizaveta Vinogradova, Tatiana Pugacheva, Pavel Scherbakov, Svetlana Vasilieva, Alexandr Lukyanov and Elena Lobakova

Cells 2020, 9(9), 1933; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells9091933 - 21 Aug 2020

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4055

Abstract

To cope with fluctuating phosphorus (P) availability, cyanobacteria developed diverse acclimations, including luxury P uptake (LPU)—taking up P in excess of the current metabolic demand. LPU is underexplored, despite its importance for nutrient-driven rearrangements in aquatic ecosystems. We studied the LPU after the refeeding of P-deprived cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. PCC 7118 with inorganic phosphate (P_i), including the kinetics of P_i uptake, turnover of polyphosphate, cell ultrastructure, and gene expression. The P-deprived cells deployed acclimations to P shortage (reduction of photosynthetic apparatus and mobilization of cell P reserves). The P-starved cells capable of LPU exhibited a biphasic kinetic of the P_i uptake and polyphosphate formation. The first (fast) phase (1–2 h after P_i refeeding) occurred independently of light and temperature. It was accompanied by a transient accumulation of polyphosphate, still upregulated genes encoding high-affinity P_i transporters, and an ATP-dependent polyphosphate kinase. During the second (slow) phase, recovery from P starvation was accompanied by the downregulation of these genes. Our study revealed no specific acclimation to ample P conditions in Nostoc sp. PCC 7118. We conclude that the observed LPU phenomenon does not likely result from the activation of a mechanism specific for ample P conditions. On the contrary, it stems from slow disengagement of the low-P responses after the abrupt transition from low-P to ample P conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Nutrition, Growth and Metabolism of Photosynthetic Organisms)

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Review

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40 pages, 1406 KiB

Open AccessReview

Genetic Engineering and Genome Editing for Improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Plants

by Vadim G. Lebedev, Anna A. Popova and Konstantin A. Shestibratov

Cells 2021, 10(12), 3303; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10123303 - 25 Nov 2021

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 5714

Abstract

Low nitrogen availability is one of the main limiting factors for plant growth and development, and high doses of N fertilizers are necessary to achieve high yields in agriculture. However, most N is not used by plants and pollutes the environment. This situation can be improved by enhancing the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in plants. NUE is a complex trait driven by multiple interactions between genetic and environmental factors, and its improvement requires a fundamental understanding of the key steps in plant N metabolism—uptake, assimilation, and remobilization. This review summarizes two decades of research into bioengineering modification of N metabolism to increase the biomass accumulation and yield in crops. The expression of structural and regulatory genes was most often altered using overexpression strategies, although RNAi and genome editing techniques were also used. Particular attention was paid to woody plants, which have great economic importance, play a crucial role in the ecosystems and have fundamental differences from herbaceous species. The review also considers the issue of unintended effects of transgenic plants with modified N metabolism, e.g., early flowering—a research topic which is currently receiving little attention. The future prospects of improving NUE in crops, essential for the development of sustainable agriculture, using various approaches and in the context of global climate change, are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Nutrition, Growth and Metabolism of Photosynthetic Organisms)

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19 pages, 2176 KiB

Open AccessReview

Influence of Nitrogen and Phosphorus on Microalgal Growth, Biomass, Lipid, and Fatty Acid Production: An Overview

by Maizatul Azrina Yaakob, Radin Maya Saphira Radin Mohamed, Adel Al-Gheethi, Ravishankar Aswathnarayana Gokare and Ranga Rao Ambati

Cells 2021, 10(2), 393; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10020393 - 14 Feb 2021

Cited by 205 | Viewed by 13405

Abstract

Microalgae can be used as a source of alternative food, animal feed, biofuel, fertilizer, cosmetics, nutraceuticals and for pharmaceutical purposes. The extraction of organic constituents from microalgae cultivated in the different nutrient compositions is influenced by microalgal growth rates, biomass yield and nutritional content in terms of lipid and fatty acid production. In this context, nutrient composition plays an important role in microalgae cultivation, and depletion and excessive sources of this nutrient might affect the quality of biomass. Investigation on the role of nitrogen and phosphorus, which are crucial for the growth of algae, has been addressed. However, there are challenges for enhancing nutrient utilization efficiently for large scale microalgae cultivation. Hence, this study aims to highlight the level of nitrogen and phosphorus required for microalgae cultivation and focuses on the benefits of nitrogen and phosphorus for increasing biomass productivity of microalgae for improved lipid and fatty acid quantities. Furthermore, the suitable extraction methods that can be used to utilize lipid and fatty acids from microalgae for biofuel have also been reviewed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Nutrition, Growth and Metabolism of Photosynthetic Organisms)

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