Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2024
Abstract
Heavy and costly use of phosphorus (P) fertiliser is often needed to achieve high crop yields, but only a small amount of applied P fertiliser is available to most crop plants. Hakea prostrata (Proteaceae) is endemic to the P-impoverished landscape of southwest Australia and has several P-saving traits. We identified 16 members of the Phosphate Transporter 1 (PHT1) gene family (HpPHT1;1-HpPHT1;12d) in a long-read genome assembly of H. prostrata. Based on phylogenetics, sequence structure and expression patterns, we classified HpPHT1;1 as potentially involved in Pi uptake from soil and HpPHT1;8 and HpPHT1;9 as potentially involved in Pi uptake and root-to-shoot translocation. Three genes, HpPHT1;4, HpPHT1;6 and HpPHT1;8, lacked regulatory PHR1-binding sites (P1BS) in the promoter regions. Available expression data for HpPHT1;6 and HpPHT1;8 indicated they are not responsive to changes in P supply, potentially contributing to the high P sensitivity of H. prostrata. We also discovered a Proteaceae-specific clade of closely-spaced PHT1 genes that lacked conserved genetic architecture among genera, indicating an evolutionary hot spot within the genome. Overall, the genome assembly of H. prostrata provides a much-needed foundation for understanding the genetic mechanisms of novel adaptations to low P soils in southwest Australian plants.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Plant Cell and Environment
First Page
5021
Last Page
5038
Recommended Citation
Nestor, B., Bird, T., Severn-Ellis, A., Bayer, P., Ranathunge, K., Prodhan, M., Dassanayake, M., Batley, J., Edwards, D., Lambers, H., & Finnegan, P. (2024). Identification and expression analysis of Phosphate Transporter 1 (PHT1) genes in the highly phosphorus-use-efficient Hakea prostrata (Proteaceae). Plant Cell and Environment, 47 (12), 5021-5038. https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.15088