Adaptation mechanisms of legume to phosphorus deficiency

Phosphorus is one of the most important mineral nutrients. It is essential for plant growth and development involved in various biochemical processes, such as lipid metabolism and the biosynthesis of nucleic acids and cell membranes. However, low soil available phosphorus content has become a limited factor to the growth of legume. Long-term phosphorus deficiency stress promoted legume’s adaptations and evolution in their mechanisms of morphological, physiological, molecular biological and so on. Understanding these adaptive mechanisms developed by legume will play a critical role in agronomic practices optimization, resource conservation and environmental protection as well as the development of biotechnological strategies which aim to improve the availability of phosphorus for legume. Legume adaptations to low phosphorus stress environment and efficient absorption limited effective phosphorus in soil have become research focus in the current. In the present study, progresses and problems in aspects of adaptation mechanisms on root morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular biological under phosphorus deficiency stress were reviewed to provide theoretical foundations for varieties improvement during phosphorus deficiency and efficient utilization of phosphorus in agricultural production.