VARIETAL DIFFERENCES IN ROOT PHOSPHATASE-ACTIVITY AS RELATED TO THE UTILIZATION OF ORGANIC-PHOSPHATES

This paper presents results of a comparative study of phosphorus utilization from inositol hexaphosphate by various varieties of Phaseolus vulgaris in relation to the activity and characteristics of their root phosphatases. Bean varieties show significant differences in their uptake of phosphorus from inositol hexaphosphate with a clear dependency on the phosphatase activity of their roots at pH 5. The results which are discussed in connection with the phosphorus turnover in the rhizosphere suggest that root phosphatase activity is a significant factor of nutritional efficiency under limited mineral phosphorus supply. © 1990 Kluwer Academic Publishers.