Light regulation of horticultural crop nutrient uptake and utilization

Plants demonstrate dynamic changes in molecular structures under fluctuating light conditions. Accumulating evidence suggests that light plays a vital role in plant growth and morphogenesis. In particular, light has a role in the absorption and utilization of nutrients in plants. Despite significant progress in understanding the mechanism of nutrient acquisition and assimilation, how light affects and regulates ion uptake remains a question. Studies in model plants, Arabidopsis thaliana, suggest that light affects the nutrient utilization in roots through a complex regulatory network; nonetheless, the molecular mechanisms underlying the various effects of light on these processes in crop plants remain fragmentary. In this review, we discuss the light effects (light quality, light intensity, and photoperiod) on nutrient uptake and utilization in horticultural crops for optimizing crop productivity and increasing fertilizer use efficiency.

Automated summary

Plants exhibit dynamic changes in molecular structures under fluctuating light conditions, with light playing a crucial role in plant growth and morphogenesis. Although there have been advances in understanding the mechanism of nutrient acquisition and assimilation, the impact of light on ion uptake remains a question. Studies on model plants indicate that light affects nutrient utilization in roots through a complex regulatory network, but the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of light on these processes in crop plants are still incomplete. In this review, the effects of light on nutrient uptake and utilization in horticultural crops are discussed for the purpose of optimizing crop productivity and increasing fertilizer efficiency.