Genotypic differences in phosphate nutrition of barley (hordeum vulgare L.)

Abstract

Phosphorus use by four genotypes of barley was studied at five phosphate levels in pot studies for 30 days. For all P levels, there were marked genotypic differences in the root, shoot and total dry matter accumulation and phosphorus use efficiency of shoots (PUE) (g shoot /mg plant in the shoot). There were significant genotypic differences in the root, shoot and total accumulation dry weight increased with increasing P levels. The magnitude of the increase resulting from phosphorus application of 125ppm P was 66.3%, 32.2% and 43.7% resp. compared with 0 ppm. Significant differences were observed in dry matter accumulation amongst barley genotypes, where the Rahan variety recorded the highest shoot and total dry matter at 125 ppm P (2.25 and 4.53 g/pot) resp. PUE was significantly influenced by P levels and by genotypes. Based on dry matter production of shoots at low P level, Rahan and M97 varieties recorded the highest PUE (0.75 and 0.72 g SDM/mg plant) resp.