Abstract: Phosphate is one of the most important elements needed by all of the lives. Meanwhile, it is also one of the least available nutrients in the soil. The yields of the crops are always affected by phosphate starvation. Research on the phosphate-starvation responses of the plants will play a key role in cultivating phosphate-resistant crops and reducing the phosphate added to soils. Comparisons of single gene mutants with the wild-type seedlings can provide an understanding of plant functions from molecular to the physiological. Phosphate-transport-function deficient mutants, organic-acid-production deficient mutants, mutants screened for identification the functions of a certain gene and mutants with altered roots were the four main types used. They have played important roles in research phosphate utilizing from soil, phosphate transportation, phosphate metabolism and identification the functions of genes. However, some fields such as the concrete regulation mechanism of plant’s reaction to Pi deficiency, the Pi transportation across tonoplast are not clear until now. Creating specific screening methods, screening more responses-specific mutants will provide breakthroughs for solving out these problems.