Cause of Differential Susceptibility to Zinc Deficiency in Two Varieties of Navy Beans (<i>Phaseolus vulgaris</i> L.)¹

Abstract

Abstract Two navy beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties, ‘Sanilac’ and ‘Saginaw,’ were grown in soil, solution culture, and split medium. Plant growth and Fe, P, and Zn uptake were compared with differential Zn deficiency in each of the three media. In general, Fe and P aggravated Zn deficiency. Differential absorption of Fe and P by the two varieties appears to be the cause of differential susceptibility to Zn deficiency. Sanilac took up more Fe and P than Saginaw in a growth medium relatively low in Zn.