Effect of seed phosphorus concentration on nodulation and growth of three common bean cultivars

• Published in: Journal of plant nutrition 1999-01, Vol.22 (10), p.1599-1611
• Main Authors: Teixeira, M.G, Guerra, J.G.M, Almeida, D.L. de, Araujo, A.P, Franco, A.A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; application rate; Biological and medical sciences; cultivars; dry matter; Economic plant physiology; flowering date; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; growth; Mineral nutrition; nodulation; nutrient content; Nutrition. Photosynthesis. Respiration. Metabolism; Phaseolus vulgaris; phosphorus; potassium dihydrogen phosphate; root nodules; roots; seeds; shoots; soil fertility
• ISSN: 0190-4167; 1532-4087
• DOI: 10.1080/01904169909365740

An experiment was conducted in the greenhouse to evaluate the effects of seed phosphorus (P) concentration on growth, nodulation, and nitrogen (N) and P accumulation of three common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars. Seeds were produced under low or high soil P levels, and soaked, or not, in 200 mM KH(2)PO(4) solution. The experiment had a 3 x 3 x 2 x 2 factorial block design: three cultivars (ICA Col 10103, Carioca and Honduras 35), three levels of applied P (15, 30 and 45 mg P kg(-1) soil), two native seed P concentrations, and two seed soaking treatments. Plants were harvested at flowering. Soaked seeds increased the number, dry mass and P content of nodules, but did not affect plant growth. Plants originated from seeds with high native P concentration presented higher shoot dry mass and nodule number and mass at every soil P level, and were less responsive to increased soil P supply, than plants from low seed P. In plants from seeds with high P, soil P levels did not alter significantly root dry mass, while in plants from seeds with low P bean cultivars expressed wider differences in root dry mass. The genotypic variability of nodulation was influenced by soil P levels and seed P concentration. Both higher soil or seed P supply enhanced N and P accumulation in shoots. These results indicate that a high seed P concentration produces plants less dependent on soil P supply, and can enhance nodulation and N(2) fixation of common bean. Seed P supply affected the cultivar performance, and should be considered in evaluation of bean genotypes.