Phosphorus assimilation of Chinese fir from two provenances during acclimation to changing phosphorus availability

•Chinese fir from provenance Y had higher activities of APs, PEPC and MDH in the roots.•High P-supplied needles from provenance G had higher activities of APs, PEPC and MDH.•P lack caused lower P levels and higher PUEs, and the opposite was true by high P.•P lack elevated mRNA levels of PHT1.4, AP, and MDH, and high P reduced PHT1.4 mRNAs.