Molecular Components that Drive Phosphorus-Remobilisation During Leaf Senescence
Abstract
© 2015 by JohnWiley & Sons, Ltd. All rights reserved. Senescence is a complex process of controlled degradation and nutrient recycling that is modulated by developmental and environmental cues. Beginning in the middle to late vegetative stage of growth, the remobilisation of phosphorus (P) from senescing leaves serves as the major source of P for sink tissues, such as young leaves, reproductive structures and storage organs. Although it is clear that plants are generally efficient at recycling P from senescing leaves, little is known regarding the molecular components involved in the process. Optimising P remobilisation during senescence will likely be a valuable contribution to future improvements in P-use efficiency of crop species, which is urgently needed to minimise the use of unsustainable P fertilizers.