Phosphorus Supply to Plants of <i>Vaccinium</i> L. Genus: Proven Patterns and Unexplored Issues

Abstract

Phosphorus availability is a serious problem for plants growing and grown in acidic soils of bogs, poor in macronutrients. The application of phosphorus fertilizers to such soils is unprofitable because of the physical and chemical properties of these soils, where phosphate is firmly bound to organic and inorganic compounds and becomes inaccessible to plants. Plants of the Vaccinium genus both from natural stands and commercial plantations may suffer from phosphorus deficiency, so they need to have a number of adaptations that allow them to efficiently extract phosphorus. This review addresses the following issues in relation to plants of the Vaccinium genus: sources of phosphorus for plants; the release of phosphate ions from soil components; the transport of phosphate ions into plants; and the importance of mycorrhiza in supplying phosphorus to plants. Thus, we sought to draw researchers’ attention to sources and routes of phosphorus supply of plants of the Vaccinium genus and its unexplored aspects.

Keywords

• phosphate ions
• acidic soils
• heather plants
• root exudation
• organic acids
• phosphatases