Comparative phosphorus requirement of four lupin species

Abstract

The yield response of yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus), sand plain lupin (L. cosentinii), narrow‐leafed lupin (L. angustifolius), and white lupin (L. albus) to applications of phosphorus (P), as single superphosphate (0 to 80 kg P ha^‐1), was measured in the year of application in a field experiment on a sandy soil. Comparative P requirement was determined from yields when no P was applied, the amount of P required to produce the same percentage of the maximum (relative) yield, such as 90% of the maximum yield, and the P content measured in dried tops. For all these criteria, P requirement generally increased in the order L. cosentinii < L. albus < L. angustifolius < L. luteus. Proteoid roots, found only on L. cosentinii and L. albus plants, were probably responsible for these species using indigenous soil P and applied fertilizer P more effectively than L. luteus and L. angustifolius.