The mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), which promotes cell growth, is regulated by specific nutrients such as the amino acid leucine. In this issue, Nicklin et al. (2009) describe a mechanism by which glutamine facilitates the uptake of leucine, leading to mTORC1 activation.

Secondary nutrient (e.g., calcium, magnesium, sulfur) deficiencies in crop plants disturb the nitrogen balance plants, thus reducing overall yield. This hypothesis was analyzed based on physiological functions of these nutrients, relation to uptake and utilization N, plants. Nitrogen by requires a well-developed root system, size which depends supply calcium. process is largely controlled conte...

Iron, copper and zinc are essential metals for cell metabolism. Plants have evolved different schemes to efficiently mobilize low-solubility nutrients such as metals from their environment and to transport them between organs. In this review we highlight the divergences and convergences of the iron, copper and zinc uptake, transport and homoeostatic pathways.

Plants may induce small-scale heterogeneity in soil nutrients, forming fertile islands. However, this process may depend on plant spices, plant developmental stages and habitat conditions. Vegetation cover in arid and semi-arid regions is mostly in the form of plant patches and bare soil of inter-patch areas, this form of vegetation cover can be useful to study plants impact on soil to get appl...