Non‐specific Phospholipase C4 Improves Phosphorus Remobilization From Old to Young Leaves in Camelina

Abstract

ABSTRACTCamelina sativa is regarded as a low‐input oilseed crop for versatile food, biofuels and industrial applications with potential production on marginal lands, whereas phosphate (Pi) deficiency greatly reduces camelina seed production. To improve camelina resilience to low P conditions, here we overexpressed the Pi deficiency–induced non‐specific phospholipase C4 (NPC4) to test its effect on camelina seed production under different levels of Pi availability. NPC4–overexpressing (OE) plants displayed increased seed yield and oil production, with a greater magnitude of increases under Pi‐deficient than Pi‐sufficient conditions. NPC4‐OE camelina had a higher level of total P and free Pi in young leaves but a lower level in old leaves than in wild‐type plants. More Pi was moved from old leaves to young leaves in NPC4‐OE than in wild‐type plants. NPC4‐OE increased the expression of Pi transporter genes, and the increase was greater in old leaves and under Pi‐deficient conditions. These data indicate that NPC4 improves camelina growth by promoting Pi remobilization from old to young tissues, revealing a mechanism by which NPC4 mediates plant response to Pi deficiency.