Response of legumes and cereals to phosphorus in solution culture

Abstract

Phosphorus deficiency is one of the Important growth limiting factors in crop production in many regions of the world. The objective of this study was to evaluate responses of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), red clover (Trifoilum pratense L.), common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and rice (Oryza sativa L.) to concentrations of P in nutrient solution. The P treatments applied were 5, 50, 100, 200 and 400 μM P. All crop species significantly responded to an increase in external P concentrations. The optimum P concentration for maximum growth varied with crop species, but it was higher for legumes than for cereals. Rice needs minimum as red clover maximum P concentration for maximum growth in nutrient solution as compared to other crops species. Concentrations of K, Zn and Mn were significantly affected in all crop species with P addition. Suggesting positive effects of P in ameliorating Mn toxicity if this element is present in growth medium. Increasing concentrations of P in growth medium produce negative effect on K and Zn nutrition. Growth parameters and plant nutrients concentration and uptake correlation studies showed that legumes are more responsive to P fertilization as compared to cereals.