Stuart Pearse

Thesis title

Carboxylate composition of root exudates and the ability of wheat, canola, and different lupin and pulse species to utilise phosphorus from soluble and sparingly soluble phosphorus sources.

Thesis summary

The exudation of carboxylates from roots into soil mobilises bound phosphate that is otherwise unavailable for plants that do not release carboxylates.  The study of release of these compounds offers considerable potential for increasing Australian dryland cropping efficiency with regard to phosphorus utilisation. 

The primary objective of this study is to compare a range of lupin and pulse species with respect to their total carboxylate composition and release, and their ability to access different forms of phosphorus.  Organic acids tested for in these studies by HPLC include malic, malonic, lactic, acetic, maleic, citric, cis-aconitic, trans-acotinic,  succinic, and fumaric acids.

Supervisors

• Erik Veneklaas
• Mike Bolland
• Hans Lambers

Start Date

September 2002

Estimated Submission Date

March 2006

Links

• School of Plant Biology
• Australian Society of Plant Scientists
• XV International Plant Nutrition Colloquium
• CRC for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity
• Stuart's CV