VARIETAL DIFFERENCES IN THE PHOSPHORUS FEEDING CAPACITY OF PLANTS

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Abstract
Of 21 inbred strains and hybrids of Reid''s Yellow Dent corn, grown in the laboratory in jars of quartz sand, some vars. made unsatisfactory growth when supplied with nutrient solns. in which P was the controlled element, while the same solutions made available to other vars. produced luxuriant growth. The rates of P absorption of 3 of these vars. were in the approximate ratio of 3:5:7. A reduction in the absorption rate of P had a depressing effect upon the intake of other essential elements. Making an adequate supply of P, withheld at first, available during the first few weeks of vegetative growth proved beneficial, but withheld too long, its introduction was observed to produce toxic effects. Hybridization, root formation, and carbohydrate metabolism are suggested as probable reasons for the differentiation of varieties in responsiveness to phosphate fertilization.