Phosphorus Efficiency and Root Exudates in Two Contrasting Tropical Maize Varieties

Abstract

ABSTRACT Nutrient solution culture and quartz sand amended with or without rock phosphate, were used to compare the short-term responses to phosphorus (P) deficiency of two contrasting maize hybrids, L3x228-3 (P-efficient) and HS 2841x5046 (P-inefficient). In solution-grown seedlings, the rapid P deficiency-induced enhancement of root growth and of the root/shoot ratio was a sign of P deficiency stress rather than of P efficiency. In sand culture, uptake of P from sparingly soluble rock phosphate was higher in P-efficient plants than in P-inefficient maize. In the variety L3-228-3, P efficiency seemed due to enhanced P acquisition rather than to an enhanced P use efficiency. In sand, but not in solution culture, higher citrate concentrations were detected in the rhizosphere of P-efficient than of P-inefficient maize. Quartz sand amended with rock phosphate was a better substrate than nutrient solution for revealing the varietal differences in P acquisition efficiency in short-term experiments.