Juvenile root vigour improves phosphorus use efficiency of potato

White, P. J., Bradshaw, J. E., Brown, L. K., Dale, M. F. B., Dupuy, L. X., George, T. S., Hammond, J. P. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6241-3551, Subramanian, N. K., Thompson, J. A., Wishart, J. and Wright, G. (2018) Juvenile root vigour improves phosphorus use efficiency of potato. Plant and Soil, 432 (1-2). pp. 45-63. ISSN 0032-079X doi: 10.1007/s11104-018-3776-5

Abstract/Summary

Aims Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) has a large phosphorus (P)-fertiliser requirement. This is thought to be due to its inability to acquire P effectively from the soil. This work tested the hypothesis that early proliferation of its root system would enhance P acquisition, accelerate canopy development, and enable greater yields. Methods Six years of field experiments characterised the relationships between (1) leaf P concentration ([P]leaf), tuber yield, and tuber P concentration ([P]tuber) among 27 Tuberosum, 35 Phureja and 4 Diploid Hybrid genotypes and (2) juvenile root vigour, P acquisition and tuber yield among eight Tuberosum genotypes selected for contrasting responses to P-fertiliser. Results Substantial genetic variation was observed in tuber yield, [P]leaf and [P]tuber. There was a strong positive relationship between tuber yields and P acquisition among genotypes, whether grown with or without P-fertiliser. Juvenile root vigour was correlated with accelerated canopy development and both greater P acquisition and tuber biomass accumulation early in the season. However, the latter relationships became weaker during the season. Conclusions Increased juvenile root vigour accelerated P acquisition and initial canopy cover and, thereby, increased tuber yields. Juvenile root vigour is a heritable trait and can be selected to improve P-fertiliser use efficiency of potato.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/79503
Identification Number/DOI	10.1007/s11104-018-3776-5
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Interdisciplinary centres and themes > Soil Research Centre Life Sciences > School of Agriculture, Policy and Development > Department of Crop Science
Publisher	Springer
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