Phosphorus efficiency and phosphorus remobilization in two sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) cultivars

With two sorghum cultivars differing in P efficiency a P uptake experiment (³²P/³³P labelling) was carried out followed by a period of P deficiency. The tendency of the total P distribution and redistribution pattern was rather similar in both sorghum cultivars. Although in the cultivar with a greater P absorbing capacity per unit root weight a higher proportion of the P was found in the inorganic P soluble fraction this is not necessarily an indication of a higher vacuolar affinity for P. Under P deficiency in both cultivars a rapid decrease of the TCA soluble P fraction in the leaves was observed. Before complete exhaustion of this fraction the TCA insoluble P fraction was also markedly reduced. In the roots the total P content was maintained fairly constant with a distinct shift in favour of the insoluble fraction occurring during the period of P deficiency. It is assumed that in the P efficient sorghum cultivar producing more dry matter per increment of P absorbed, rather inherent growth promoting factors contribute to the intraspecific P efficiency by a stimulation of the intensity of P redistribution and thus compensate for the lower P absorbing capacity of its roots.