It's known that phytates are a P storage in plants, in particular seeds. Plants produce enzymes to release P upon need. Also ruminants can digest phytates thanks to their gut microbiome. However, for all other animals phytic acid is an antinutrient because it binds nutrients in cationic form (Ca2+, Mg2+ etc.). There is plenty of literature from the food science perspective. but I can't find whether plants can uptake phytates from the soil or secrete the phytase or other enzymes to digest phytates in the rhizosphere to uptake P in other forms.
@ Yes, it has been found that phytate can be taken up directly from soil by arbuscular mycorrhizal plants.
J. C. Tarafdar then it's the AMF that uptakes, not the plant. Would you be so kind to provide references?
Not my deep knowledge field so I stand to be corrected but phytate is large.
The molecular dimensions of the two species must be very different and a specialised transporter would be required. Not necessarily an impediment if the rewards were sufficient! However, the phosphate groups on phytate ensure that there is very little in solution in most soils. Added to which, phytate is not the major organic P compound in most soils. My guess is that phytases release the phytate-P and that the released P is taken up through root hairs. But I stand to be corrected.
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