Plant nutrient-acquisition strategies promote primary phosphorus mineral weathering during early pedogenesis

doi:10.1093/jpe/rtag247

J Plant Ecol ›› Advance articles DOI:10.1093/jpe/rtag247

Plant nutrient-acquisition strategies promote primary phosphorus mineral weathering during early pedogenesis

Jun Zhou¹, Shuang Wu^{1, 8}, Hongtao Zhong^{2, 7*}, Xiao-Long Li¹, Hong-Qiu Du^{1, 8}, Hongyang Sun³, Fei Peng⁴, Jun Wasaki^{5, 6}, Hans Lambers⁷

1 Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610213, China;
2 Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China;
3 Sichuan Zoige Alpine Wetland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610225, China;
4 Key Laboratory of Desert and Desertification, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China;
5 Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama 1-7-1, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan;
6 Seto Inland Sea Carbon Neutral Research Center, Hiroshima University, Japan;
7 School of Biological Sciences and Institute of Agriculture, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6009, Australia;
8 University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China
^*Correspondence: zhonght@xmu.edu.cn (H. Zhong)

Received:2025-11-23 Revised:2026-07-22 Accepted:2026-10-12 Published:2026-10-21
Supported by:
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 42477329, 32572025). Fei Peng received supports from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. XBZG-ZDSYS-202316). Jun Zhou received supports from the Science and Technology Research Program of the Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. IMHE-ZYTS-11), and the Western China Youth Scholar Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Hongtao Zhong received supports from the Natural Science Foundation of Xiamen Municipality (3502Z202473011). Hans Lambers received supports from Deputy Vice Chancellor Research at the University of Western Australia. Hongyang Sun received supports from by the Sichuan Science and Technology Program (Grant no. 2026NSFSCZY0086).

Abstract

Abstract: Phosphorus (P) is a critical macronutrient affecting ecosystem development. Unlike nitrogen, ecosystem P originates primarily from mineral-bound forms, particularly apatite, released during soil development. Although primary P minerals are sparingly soluble, they can be mobilised through diverse nutrient-acquisition strategies (NAS) of plants and their associated microorganisms. This review synthesises recent advances linking specialised root strategies, mycorrhizal associations, and nitrogen-acquisition mechanisms to primary P dissolution during early pedogenesis. We detail how specialised roots (e.g., cluster and dauciform roots) exude large quantities of carboxylates and protons to promote rapid mineral weathering, while mycorrhizal associations contribute through fungal secretion of carboxylates and the stimulation of P-solubilizing microorganisms in the hyphosphere. Furthermore, we elucidate a key biogeochemical coupling: nitrogen-acquisition strategies, specifically biological nitrogen fixation and ammonium uptake, intensify P mineral weathering both actively (carboxylates release to meet high metabolic P demands) and passively (proton excretion during charge balance maintenance). Evidence from chronosequences and controlled experiments demonstrated that specialised root and biological nitrogen fixation contributed more to P mineral weathering than mycorrhizal strategies and free-living microoragnism during carbon-limited early pedogenesis (< 100 years). We posit that conceptualizing NAS as integrated plant–microorganism systems are essential to resolving the dissolution mechanisms, particularly under the climate-driven expansion of young soils from glacier retreat and land erosion. Future research should prioritise identifying how specific root functional traits are matched with microbial partners to optimise C allocation and maximise mineral weathering, as well as elucidating key metabolic pathways to provide a mechanistic basis for ecosystem restoration and sustainable agriculture.

This review synthesizes how plant and microbial nutrient-acquisition strategies—specifically specialized roots and nitrogen fixation—mobilize primary phosphorus minerals during early soil development via carboxylate and proton release. Conceptualizing these as integrated systems is vital for ecosystem restoration and sustainable agriculture.

Key words: Apatite, primary succession, carboxylates, mycorrhizal fungi, rhizosphere acidification, nitrogen fixation

Jun Zhou, Shuang Wu, Hongtao Zhong, Xiao-Long Li, Hong-Qiu Du, Hongyang Sun, Fei Peng, Jun Wasaki, Hans Lambers. Plant nutrient-acquisition strategies promote primary phosphorus mineral weathering during early pedogenesis[J]. J Plant Ecol, DOI: 10.1093/jpe/rtag247.

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Plant nutrient-acquisition strategies promote primary phosphorus mineral weathering during early pedogenesis

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