Greater morphological and primary metabolic adaptations in roots contribute to phosphate-deficiency tolerance in the bread wheat cultivar Kenong199

Abstract Background Phosphate (Pi) deficiency severely affects crop growth and productivity, including wheat, therefore it is necessary to develop cultivars with enhanced Pi-deficiency tolerance. However, the underlying mechanism of tolerance in wheat still elusive. Two contrasting cultivars, low-Pi tolerant Kenong199 (KN199) sensitive Chinese Spring (CS) were used reveal adaptations response Pi at morphological, physiological, metabolic, molecular levels. Results KN199 was more than CS significantly increased root biomass R/S ratio. Root traits, total length, surface area, volume, remarkably by KN199. The shoot P soluble concentrations higher those CS, but not roots. In KN199, high level shoots a priority that roots under deficiency. It probably due differentially regulation miR399-mediated signaling network between two cultivars. deficiency-induced architecture adaptation attributed hormone-mediated (ethylene, gibberellin, jasmonates). expression genes associated development uptake Some primary metabolites (amino acids organic acids) accumulated Conclusions cultivar possessed greater morphological metabolic adaption mechanisms provide better understanding strategies for improving efficiency wheat.