Phosphate starvation induces root cell-type specific transcriptional responses and alternative splicing

Phosphorus (P) is a vital macronutrient for plants, but its availability in soil is often limited. Despite high levels of P in natural soils, much of it is inaccessible to plants.

Plants acquire phosphorus as inorganic phosphate (Pi) from the rhizosphere, and Pi starvation triggers adaptive responses to enhance Pi acquisition. These responses include changes in root development and gene transcriptional reprogramming among others. Although several root transcriptomic analyses have identified key genes involved in Pi starvation responses, almost all of them have been conducted with illuminated roots, a condition that masks molecular responses to Pi starvation.