Diagnosing phosphorus deficiency in irrigated durum wheat using basal stem phosphate tissue analysis

Abstract

Abstract The occurrence of phosphorus (P) deficiencies in small grain crops are normally predicted through the use of preplant soil analysis and verified by tissue analysis for total ? often at the beginning of reproductive growth. Few studies have addressed the potential use of tissue phosphate (PO4‐P) tests to characterize the ? status of grain crops during early vegetative growth which could allow for correction of ? deficiency in irrigated production systems during the current season. Three field experiments were conducted in southeastern Arizona from 1986–89 to examine the effects of ? applications, and residual soil ? on tissue phosphate (PO4‐P) concentrations and yield of irrigated durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var durum cv. Aldura). Fertilizer ? additions resulted in significant increases in basal stem and leaf tissue PO4‐P concentrations at GS 2, 6 and 10. Fertilizer ? applications of up to 40 kg P/ha increased extractable ? levels in the soil by 82% at the beginning of the next growing seaso...