Genetic differences in plant response to soil nutrient stress

Abstract

Abstract Crop species and cultivars within species frequently differ markedly in phenotype and yield potential when grown under the same soil and climatic conditions. These differences in many instances have been traced to genetic differences in response to essential and nonessential elements present in toxic or deficient levels. This presentation is primarily a review of several examples of these phenomena. Examinations of such phenomena and of some of the genetic mechanisms involved are presented to focus attention on the need for expanded development of crop cultivars and species suited to particular element deficiency or toxicity conditions.