Nutrient Interactions in Plants

Plants, like other living organisms, require the concurrence of different elements both to synthesize their cell constituents and for adequate metabolism. Besides carbon (C), hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O), plants require several essential mineral elements such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and others. Additionally, there are other mineral elements that are not essential for all plant species but can be beneficial for some, like sodium (Na) or silicon (Si). These elements interact in direct or indirect ways. In some cases, the deficiency or excess of one element can affect the uptake of another. In other cases, a scarce element can be substituted by another element of similar characteristics. Although the interactions among nutrients are frequently described at the level of nutrient acquisition, the knowledge about the mechanisms enabling such crosstalk is far from complete.

An improved understanding of the interaction between nutrients is important for the future of agriculture since it can lead to more equilibrated fertilization practices and help obtain genotypes that are more efficient at nutrient acquisition. In many cases, the excess or lack of a nutrient can affect the proper uptake and efficient utilization of other nutrients. This Research Topic will provide an overview of the most frequent interactions among essential and beneficial mineral elements, and of the possible causes of their crosstalk.

There are numerous forms of interaction between nutrients, for example, the participation of common signaling networks in the regulation of their homeostasis. Furthermore, some nutrients can be substituted by others of similar size and charge. Some of the Reviews that could be included in this Research Topic would be:

• Interaction of Fe and Zn with P nutrition in plants
• Interaction of Mo with N and S nutrition in plants
• Interaction of S and Fe nutrition in plants
• Interaction of Si with different nutrients (Fe, N,…) in plants
• Interaction and substitution of Fe and Cu in plants
• Interaction of Fe and Mn nutrition in plants
• Substitution of K by Na in plants
• Substitution of P by S in plants

In cases with less published results (i.e., substitution P-S), they could be included in a Mini-review. We also welcome Original Research articles related to the interaction between different mineral nutrients or to the substitution of a nutrient by another one.