Comparison of acid phosphatases in two genotypes of white clover with different responses to applied phosphate

Abstract

Two white clover (Trifolium repens L.) genotypes, identified by their differing ability to increase in biomass in response to added phosphorus (P) (high P responder, low P responder) were subjected to P deprivation and examined for differences in root growth, root surface acid phosphatase activity, and soluble and ionically‐bound root cell wall isoform profile. As leaf P levels declined, the high P responder showed a greater increase in biomass allocated to the roots, and highest root surface acid phosphatase activity. However, these differences were not statistically significant. The onset of P deprivation enhanced the intensity of several acid phosphatase isoforms in the P deprived root extracts from both genotypes. After 11 days, one basic isoform (resolved atpH4.5) was enhanced in the cell wall extract, an enhancement that was also observed after 26 days. However, for the soluble isoforms, a temporal separation of response was observed in both genotypes. After 11 days, there was no discernable enhancement of the major staining basic isoform or in the major staining acidic isoform (resolved at pH 8.8) in extracts from P‐deprived roots. After 26 days, these isoforms were enhanced in extracts from P‐derived root tissues. Further, a second acidic isoform could now be discerned as a major staining enzyme in P‐derived root extracts from both genotypes.