Phosphorus response of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) genotypes selected for tolerance of aluminium toxicity

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) responses for two white clover (Trifolium repens L.) genotypes, previously selected for aluminium (Al) tolerance, were compared with those for two P‐efficient genotypes over a range of soil‐extractable Al levels. The Al‐tolerant genotypes had similar P response characteristics to the P‐efficient genotypes. One of the P‐efficient genotypes showed as much Al tolerance as the genotypes originally selected for Al tolerance. The implications for plant breeding are that it is possible to select white clover genotypes that are Al‐tolerant without increasing the need for P fertiliser.

Keywords:

• acidity
• aluminium
• genotypic variation
• phosphorus
• Trifolium repens
• white clover