RELATIVE GROWTH RESPONSE OF HYDROPONICALLY GROWN WHEAT GENOTYPES TO DEFICIENT AND ADEQUATE PHOSPHORUS LEVELS

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) nutrition is indispensable for plant growth and development. Seven wheat varieties (Sarsabz, Kiran-95, Khirman, NIA-Amber, NIA-Sunhari, NIA-Sunder and NIA-Saarang) were evaluated for their growth response to P deficient (0.02 mM) and adequate (0.20 mM) levels in hydroponic culture. A factorial combination of treatments, repeated four times, was arranged in a completely randomized design. Wheat varieties differed significantly (P< 0.01) in shoot and root dry matter production, root: shoot ratio, shoot and root P concentration and uptake, and shoot P utilization efficiency. Shoot P uptake and utilization efficiency were strongly correlated (r = 0.89, r = 0.77) with shoot dry matter production. On the basis of shoot dry matter production and P utilization efficiency, cultivars were grouped into four categories. NIA-Sunder, Sarsabz and Kiran-95 were efficient as well as responsive (ER) genotypes. Khirman, NIA-Sunhari, NIA-Saarang and NIA-Amber were categorized as non-efficient and non-responsive (NENR) genotypes. Prevalence of such genetic variations among these wheat cultivars can be useful in developing P- efficient genotypes.