Research advances in the regulatory mechanisms of root apoplast on mineral nutrition of plants.

Apoplast, composed of intercellular spaces, cell walls, and xylem vessels, plays a crucial role in nutrient transport, water transport, and cellulose synthesis, which also serves as a defense mechanism under stress. Mineral nutrients regulate the physiological and biochemical processes in plants and play a crucial role in the normal development of plants. Through its unique physical structure and chemical composition, root apoplast facilitates the absorption and translocation of mineral nutrients, including those typically difficult for plants to assimilate. We reviewed the structural characteristics of the apoplast, the influence of plant-microbe interactions on apoplastic regulation, and the mechanisms of mineral element absorption and transport under stress. It elucidates the regulatory role of apoplastic structure in mineral nutrient uptake and utilization of plants. Root apoplast efficiently modulates the absorption and translocation of mineral elements through cell wall adsorption, changes in intercellular pH, ion exchange, and the regulation of related genes. From a morphological perspective, we clarified the mechanism by which plants activate self-protection under abiotic stress.