Phosphorus acquisition by three wheat cultivars contrasting in aluminium tolerance growing in an aluminium-rich volcanic soil

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) deficiency and aluminium (Al) phytotoxicity are major limitations for crop yield in acid soils. To ameliorate such limitations, agricultural management includes application of lime and P fertilisers, and the use of Al-tolerant plant genotypes. The mechanisms of Al tolerance and P efficiency may be closely related through strategies that decrease the toxicity of the Al3+ ion and increase P availability in soils. However, the effects of soils with high Al saturation on P acquisition by wheat have been little studied under field conditions. The aim of this work was to study Al–P interactions on wheat genotypes of contrasting Al tolerance when grown under field conditions in a volcanic soil with high Al saturation (32%) and low pH (5.0). A field-plot experiment was performed with winter wheat genotypes, two Al-tolerant (TCRB14 and TINB14) and one Al-sensitive (STKI14), with application of 0, 44 and 88 kg P ha–1. At the end of tillering and after physiological maturity (90 and 210 days after sowing), plants were harvested and yield and P and Al concentrations in shoots and roots were measured. Soil acid phosphatase, root arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonisation, AM spore number and soil glomalin were determined. Shoot and root production and P uptake were higher in Al-tolerant genotypes than the sensitive genotype. In addition, root AM colonisation and soil acid phosphatase activity were also higher in tolerant genotypes. By contrast, Al concentration in shoots and roots was higher in the sensitive genotype with a concomitant decrease in P concentration. Grain yield of Al-tolerant genotypes was higher than of the Al-sensitive genotype with and without P fertiliser. Overall, the Al-tolerant genotypes were more effective at P acquisition from soil as well as from P fertiliser added, suggesting that plant traits such as Al tolerance, P efficiency, and AM colonisation potential co-operate in overcoming adverse acid soil conditions.