UoH researchers find how tomato plants can use phosphate more efficiently

Researchers at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) have discovered an important molecular mechanism that helps tomato plants transport and reuse phosphate, a nutrient essential for healthy growth.

The study, published in the Journal of Experimental Botany, was carried out by Abhishek Roychowdhury and others led by professor in the Department of Plant Sciences, Rahul Kumar.

Improving the ability of plants to use phosphate efficiently could benefit both farmers and the environment. The researchers found that a tomato gene called PAP26b plays a key role in moving stored phosphate from older leaves to younger parts of the plant where it is needed for growth. When this gene was switched off, young leaves and roots began responding as though the plant was short of phosphate, even when enough nutrients were available.

findings also reveal how plants manage phosphate differently in older and younger leaves.

Researchers say understanding this mechanism could lead to resilient crop varieties that utilise internal nutrient reserves far more efficiently, cutting farmer input costs and mitigating soil degradation caused by excess fertiliser usage.