Effects of Seed P-enrichment and Localized P-fertilizer Application on Soil-grown Wheat

Abstract

We previously reported two methods of phosphorus (P) supply that improve crop growth. One is to apply P-fertilizer locally into soils and the other is seed P-enrichment by soaking seeds in P-solution. Here, we examined which of the two methods or a combination of the two is more effective for wheat grown in pots. Each method increased dry matter to a similar extent but with a different time interval. The effect of localized P-application was observed at 25 d after sowing (DAS), while that of seed-P enrichment was observed at 50 DAS. Despite the positive effects of both methods, their combination had no additive effect. At 50 DAS, the growth variations were explained by P content, which depended on root length. We therefore assume that increasing root length may be the common and biologically relevant feature of both methods and that either application alone is sufficient to achieve this effect.