Pincushion Hakea Cluster-Root Secretions Boost Phosphorus Uptake in Nutrient-Poor Soils

Pincushion hakea cluster-root secretions boost phosphorus uptake in nutrient-poor soils

Plants require phosphorus to grow and survive. In environments with low levels of available soil phosphorus, plants need to adjust to stay alive.

Cluster-Root Secretions Enhance Phosphorus Accessibility in Nutrient-Poor

In the arid and nutrient-poor landscapes of southwestern Australia thrives a remarkable plant, Hakea laurina, commonly known as the pincushion hakea. This evergreen shrub has evolved extraordinary adaptations to survive in soils notoriously deficient in phosphorus, a crucial nutrient for plant growth and development. Phosphorus, essential for processes such as energy transfer, nucleic acid synthesis, and membrane formation, often limits plant pr…