Nodule conductance varied among common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) genotypes under phosphorus deficiency

Common bean genotypes BAT477, COCOT, DOR364, Flamingo, and NAG310 were inoculated with Rhizobium tropici CIAT899 and grown under phosphorus deficiency. This treatment induced a significant decrease in shoot and nodule growth that varied among genotypes from 35% to 57% and from 45% to 61%, respectively, whereas root biomass was less affected. Phosphorus deficiency affected differently the genotypes for nodule number and size, and the responses of nodulated-root O2 uptake (Conr) to raising rhizospheric PO2. From the later data, nodule conductance could be computed by dividing the slope of the regression of Conr as a function of external pO2 by nodule surface area. It is concluded that differences in nodule conductance are related to genotypic tolerance to P deficiency.