Frontiers in Plant Science (Oct 2021)

Root K Affinity Drivers and Photosynthetic Characteristics in Response to Low Potassium Stress in K High-Efficiency Vegetable Soybean

  • Changkai Liu,
  • Changkai Liu,
  • Xue Wang,
  • Xue Wang,
  • Xue Wang,
  • Bingjie Tu,
  • Bingjie Tu,
  • Bingjie Tu,
  • Yansheng Li,
  • Yansheng Li,
  • Heng Chen,
  • Heng Chen,
  • Heng Chen,
  • Qiuying Zhang,
  • Qiuying Zhang,
  • Xiaobing Liu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.732164
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12

Abstract

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Significant variations of potassium absorption and utilization exist in vegetable soybean. Pot and hydroponic experiments were carried out to examine the characteristics of root potassium (K) affinity-associated drivers and photosynthesis in vegetable soybean (edamame) [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] with different K efficiency. Two K high-efficiency vegetable soybean genotypes (Line 19 and Line 20) and two K low-efficiency genotypes (Line 7 and Line 36) were investigated in low K and normal K conditions. The root of K high-efficiency genotypes had a higher K+ affinity associated with a higher maximum K+ uptake rate (Imax), but lower Michaelis constant for K+ absorption (Km) and lower compensation concentration for K+ uptake (Cmin). Seedlings of K high-efficiency genotypes also had higher root vigor [triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) reduction method] and greater absorbing activity (methylene blue method), especially in the low K condition. Furthermore, the root bleeding-sap rate of K high-efficiency genotypes in low K stress was 9.9–24.3% greater than that of normal K conditions, which was accompanied by a relatively higher K concentration of root bleeding-sap in contributing to K+ upward flux. The root of K high-efficiency vegetable soybean genotypes exhibited K+ high-affinity and driving advantages. Photosynthetic parameters of K high-efficiency vegetable soybean genotypes were less affected by low K stress. Low K stress decreased the net photosynthetic rate of K high-efficiency genotypes by 6.1–6.9%, while that of K low-efficiency genotypes decreased by 10.9–15.7%. The higher chlorophyll (Chl) a/b ratio with enhanced relative content of Chl a in response to low K stress might be an adapted mechanism for K high-efficiency genotypes to maintain photosynthetic capacity. Stronger root K affinity drivers associated with photosynthetic adaptability to low K stress are the key factors in determining the K high-efficiency of vegetable soybeans.

Keywords