Phosphorus Nutrition of Upland Rice, Dry Bean, Soybean, and Corn Grown on an Oxisol

Abstract

Rice, dry bean, corn, and soybean are important food crops. Phosphorus (P) deficiency is one of the most yield-limiting factors for these crops grown on highly weathered Brazilian Oxisols. Four greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine P requirements of these four crops. The P levels used were 0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg kg−1. Growth, yield, and yield components evaluated of four crop species were significantly increased with the application of P fertilization. Most of the responses were quadratic in fashion when the P was applied in the range of 0 to 400 mg kg−1. Maximum grain yield of upland rice was obtained with the application of 238 mg P kg−1 of soil, maximum dry bean grain yield was obtained with the application of 227 mg P kg−1 of soil, and maximum grain yield of soybean was obtained with the application of 224 mg P kg−1 of soil. Maximum shoot growth of corn was obtained with the addition of 323 mg P kg−1 of soil. Most of the growth and yield components had significant positive association with grain yield or shoot dry weight. Phosphorus concentration and uptake were greater in the grain compared to straw in upland rice and dry bean plants. Overall, P-use efficiencies decreased with increasing P rates.