Differences in phosphorus efficiency in bean genotypes

Abstract

The identification and use of bean genotypes that can grow on phosphorus‐deficient soils, making efficient use of the limited nutrient resources present, would increase food production in many areas of the tropics where small farmers have limited ability to purchase fertilizer or where P fertilizers are inefficient. Twenty‐six bean lines were evaluated for P efficiency to determine what characteristics were responsible for the observed differences in grain yields under P‐deficient conditions. P accumulation, vegetative dry matter production, and P distribution within the plant were similar in efficient and inefficient lines. Differences in yield component development were, however, observed. Even though the efficient and inefficient lines had the same amount of P in their tissues at mid‐flowering, the inefficient lines still aborted more pod and had fewer seeds per pod while the efficient lines were better able to fully utilize their accumulated P.