CHARACTERISTICS OF PHOSPHORUS DEFICIENCY IN ANABAENA1

Abstract

SUMMARY: Several aspects of the metabolism and composition of a strain of Anabaena have been studied during phosphorus deficiency. The effects of medium composition, substrate concentration, temperature, pH, and illumination on alkaline phosphatase activity and phosphate uptake have been examined. Of particular interest among these results was the dependence of maximum alkaline phosphatase activity on Ca and of phosphate uptake on Mg. Depletion of dissolved phosphate from the culture medium runs accompanied by a marked increase in alkaline phosphatase activity, initial rate of phosphate uptake, and total amount of phosphate taken up to satisfaction of the phosphorus debt. Readdition of phosphate to a phosphorus‐deficient culture resulted in a rapid decline in the ability to take up phosphate but no loss of alkaline phosphatase beyond dilution of activity already present. Entry into phophorus deficiency was accompanied by a loss of heterocysts, a decline in chlorophyll a, protein, RNA, and cellular phosphorus, and an increase in carbohydrate per unit dry weight. The possible use of these changes as physiological indicators of phosphorus limitation in natural situations is discussed.