Article

Phosphate availability mediates a trade-off between fluoride accumulation and food safety in Camellia sinensis

Anqi XingCollege of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, ChinaJiangyuan ZhuCollege of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, ChinaYuanbing ShangCollege of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, ChinaTran Xuan HoangTea Research and Development Center, Northern Mountainous Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute, Phu Tho 35907, VietnamDo Thi Viet HaTea Research and Development Center, Northern Mountainous Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute, Phu Tho 35907, VietnamNguyen Hoang HaTea Research and Development Center, Northern Mountainous Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute, Phu Tho 35907, VietnamNguyen Hoang HaTea Research and Development Center, Northern Mountainous Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute, Phu Tho 35907, VietnamXuefeng XuCollege of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, ChinaYi SunCollege of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, ChinaZichen WuCollege of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, ChinaJing ZhuangCollege of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, ChinaXuan ChenCollege of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, ChinaXinghui LiCollege of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, ChinaShujing LiuCollege of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, ChinaYuhua WangTea Industry Safety, High Quality, and Efficient Production Technology Innovation Team, Longnan 746400, China

2026en

ABI

Abstract

Fluoride (F) contamination in agricultural soils poses potential risks to tea quality. Tea plants ( Camellia sinensis ) are known F hyperaccumulators, however, the mechanism by which phosphate (Pi) modulates F accumulation in this crop remains unclear. This study investigated physiological and molecular responses of C. sinensis under combined F-Pi treatments. Low Pi (0.01 mM) enhanced physiological tolerance to F stress by improving root activity, stabilizing membrane potential, and promoting the root-to-shoot translocation of F, Pi, Al, Ca, Fe, and Mn, while leading to increased leaf F accumulation. Conversely, high Pi (1 mM) increased F accumulation in roots and suppressed growth. Tissue-specific expression of CsFEX , CsCLCe , and CsPHT was associated with ion homeostasis. Heterologous expression in E. coli confirmed that CsFEX overexpression under 0.5 mM Pi conditions decreased intracellular F content. Collectively, these findings reveal a Pi-mediated trade-off between growth promotion and food safety in a hydroponic system, offering mechanistic insights and a basis for balancing tea productivity with safety, pending validation under field conditions.

Identifiers

DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2026.124054

Citations and references

Cited by 045 references