Plant sensing and signaling in response to K+-deficiency

Abstract

Potassium (K+) is one of the essential macronutrients for plant growth and development. However, K+ content in soils is usually limited so that the crop yields are restricted. Plants may adapt to K +-deficient environment by adjusting their physiological and morphological status, indicating that plants may have evolved their sensing and signaling mechanisms in response to K+-deficiency. This short review particularly discusses some components as possible sensors or signal transducers involved in plant sensing and signaling in response to K+- deficiency, such as K+ channels and transporters, H +-ATPase, some cytoplasmic enzymes, etc. Possible involvement of Ca2+ and ROS signals in plant responses to K+-deficiency is also discussed.