EXPLOITATION OF GENETIC VARIABILITY AMONG WHEAT GENOTYPES FOR TOLERANCE TO PHOSPHORUS DEFICIENCY STRESS

Forty six wheat genotypes from different origins were tested at stress (25 μM P) and adequate (250 μM P) levels of phosphorus (P) developed in a modified Johnson's nutrient solution. Response of wheat genotypes for tolerance to P deficiency stress was measured at two growth stages in terms of growth, P uptake, and P utilization efficiency. Substantial differences in shoot and root growth were observed among genotypes at both stress and adequate P levels in the growth medium. Reduction in shoot biomass due to P deficiency varied from >50% to 27%. Similarly P concentration in shoot and root, P uptake, specific absorption rate of P, and P utilization efficiency varied significantly at both levels of applied P. A significant negative correlation between P stress factor and root dry weight (r = −0.396**), shoot P uptake (r = −0.451**), and specific absorption rate of P (r = −0.281**, P < 0.01) suggested that the genotypes with greater root biomass, higher P uptake potentials in shoots, and absorption rate of P were generally more tolerant to P deficiency in the growth medium. Wheat genotypes were grouped according to the ranking order of investigated plant characteristics and shoot dry matter yield per unit of P absorbed. Genotypes Inqlab-91, SARC-II, SARC-IV, Chakwal-86, 90627, 89626, and Parvaz-94 were P efficient, while genotypes Pak-81, Pato, 88042, 88163, 89295, 4072, 89313, and 91109 were P inefficient. All other genotypes were intermediate in P use efficiency.