Phosphorus Uptake from Soils by Corn Hybrids selected for High and Low Phosphorus Accumulation1

Abstract Field, greenhouse, and laboratory experiments were conducted over a period of 4 years to relate P accumulations in ear leaves of different corn hybrids and other plant responses to addition of P to soils and root morphology, including the length of the radicle, diameter of the radicle, and the number of seminal roots produced after 4 days in an incubator of high relative humidity at 28 C. In addition, experiments were conducted to determine the relationship of P accumulation in ear leaves and grain yields to P concentrations in seedling plants, seedling growth rate and P uptake from a zone 25 cm (10 inches) below the soil surface. It was concluded that the concentration of P in seedling plants can be used to predict the availability of P in the soil. The concentrations of P accumulated in ear leaves by the different hybrids could not be explained on the basis of the P‐absorption characteristics of their roots, but inherent differences among hybrids with respect to depth of rooting was suggested.