Veneklaas, Erik JLambers, HansBragg, JasonFinnegan , Patrick MLovelock, CatherinePlaxton, William C.Price, Charles A.Scheible, Wolf RShane, MWhite, Philip J.Raven, John A.2015-12-100028-646Xhttp://hdl.handle.net/1885/66168Limitation of grain crop productivity by phosphorus (P) is widespread and will probably increase in the future. Enhanced P efficiency can be achieved by improved uptake of phosphate from soil (P-acquisition efficiency) and by improved productivity per unit P taken up (P-use efficiency). This review focuses on improved P-use efficiency, which can be achieved by plants that have overall lower P concentrations, and by optimal distribution and redistribution of P in the plant allowing maximum growth and biomass allocation to harvestable plant parts. Significant decreases in plant P pools may be possible, for example, through reductions of superfluous ribosomal RNA and replacement of phospholipids by sulfolipids and galactolipids. Improvements in P distribution within the plant may be possible by increased remobilization from tissues that no longer need it (e.g. senescing leaves) and reduced partitioning of P to developing grains. Such changes would prolong and enhance the productive use of P in photosynthesis and have nutritional and environmental benefits. Research considering physiological, metabolic, molecular biological, genetic and phylogenetic aspects of P-use efficiency is urgently needed to allow significant progress to be made in our understanding of this complex trait. � 2012 The Authors. New Phytologist � 2012 New Phytologist Trust.Keywords: phosphorus; crop improvement; crop plant; crop yield; growth rate; Llandoverian; metabolism; nutrient uptake; nutrient use efficiency; phospholipid; phosphorus; photosynthesis; remobilization; crop; genetics; growth, development and aging; metabolism; pho Crops; Harvest index; Phosphorus (P) fractions; Phosphorus-use efficiency; Photosynthesis; Plant developmental phases; Remobilization201210.1111/j.1469-8137.2012.04190.x2016-02-24