施加粪肥对潮土有机磷形态转化的影响

施加粪肥是提高土壤肥力的重要措施,为了解粪肥磷在潮土中的化学行为,通过室内培养试验,采用NaOH-EDTA 浸提和 31P 核磁共振技术分析比较了鸡粪、牛粪及施肥后土壤中的磷形态及含量,并研究了施肥对潮土有效磷的影响。结果表明,粪肥磷主要以无机态形式存在,2 种粪肥的有机磷形态及含量有明显不同,肌醇六磷酸在鸡粪中的含量明显高于牛粪。粪肥施加到潮土后丰富了土壤有机磷的形态。随时间延长,潮土中各形态磷发生相互转化,以肌醇六磷酸为主的正磷酸单酯含量明显降低,核酸等正磷酸双酯显著升高。鸡粪处理的土壤有效磷含量逐渐升高,牛粪处理则表现出相反的趋势。施加粪肥后,土壤有效磷呈现不同的变化规律可能是无机磷在土壤中固定或沉淀,有机磷矿化和无机磷被微生物固持这三方面综合作用的结果。     

Corn Responses to Phosphorus Application at Different Soil Phosphorus Levels on a Calcareous Soil

Phosphorus (P) in an high-pH soil may not be readily available to a crop, even though soil-testing procedures indicate high levels are present. A 2-year field study was conducted to determine corn yield responses to different rates of P fertilization as a function of soil-test P levels determined using the Mehlich-3 extractant. In 1 of the 2 years of this study, corn yields responded to P application across all soil P levels in a linear plateau fashion, indicating that P availability was limiting regardless of soil P levels. Where soil-test P was less than 40 mg kg^?1, corn yields showed a quadratic response to rate of P applied both years, and when soil-test P was between 40 and 60 mg kg^?1, corn yields showed a response only in the second year, when better growing conditions occurred. Soil-test P levels based on the Mehlich-3 extractant identified deficiencies in soil P availability to the crop, which could be corrected by P fertilization on a high-pH soil. Uptake efficiency of applied P was low, indicating that much of the P applied was not available to the crop.     

Inorganic Phosphorus Fractionation of Highly Calcareous Soils of Iran

Abstract

Highly calcareous soils are abundant in Iran. The calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE) of these soils reach up to 650 g kg^?1. Although phosphorus (P) fertilizer is being widely used in these soils, little information, if any, is available about P status in such soils. The objectives of this study were to 1) determine inorganic P forms in 18 surface soils of southern Iran, 2) study P readsorption during different stages of fractionation schemes, 3) assess the ability of NaOH to extract aluminum (Al)‐P, and 4) evaluate the relationships between P availability indices and inorganic P forms. Eighteen soil samples with a wide range of physicochemical properties were selected for this study. Inorganic P forms was determined by sequential extraction with NaHCO₃, NH₄OAc, NH₄F, NaOH, citrate dithionite (CD), and H₂SO₄, which are referred to as Ca₂‐P, Ca₈‐P, Al‐P, Fe‐P, occluded P (O‐P), and Ca₁₀‐P. Phosphorus readsorption in different stages was determined by 1 M MgCl₂. Furthermore, a fractionation scheme without an NH₄F step was used to evaluate the ability of NaOH to extract Al‐P. NaHCO₃ (Olsen‐P) and MgCl₂‐extractable P (Exch‐P) were regarded as P-availability indices. The abundance of different P forms was in the order Ca₂‐P<Fe‐P<Al‐P<O‐P<Ca₈‐P<Ca₁₀‐P. Ca₂‐P was highly correlated with Olsen‐P and Exch‐P. Ca₂‐P, Olsen‐P, and Exch‐P showed a relationship with CCE, citrate–bicarbonate–dithionite extractable Fe (Fe_d), and Al (Al_d). Phosphorus readsorption appeared to be important only in the Ca₈‐P step, and the content of readsorbed P was related to Ca₈‐P, CCE, and clay content of the soils. In the present study, Al‐P and Fe‐P accounted for 10 and 5% of the sum of the inorganic P fractions, respectively, and Fe‐P showed a strong relationship with Fe_o, whereas Al‐P showed a significant relationship with oxalate‐extractable Al (Al_o) and Al_d. It was found that one extraction with NaOH is not a good indicator for Fe‐ and Al‐P, and the ability of NaOH to extract Al‐P was reduced with increase in Al‐P content.     

石灰性土壤施用不同磷肥对玉米苗期生长和土壤无机磷组分的影响

研究旨在探讨不同磷肥品种对玉米生长发育和土壤无机磷组分的影响,以期为磷肥高效利用提供参考.采用盆栽试验,设置6个处理:磷酸一铵(MAP)、过磷酸钙(SSP)、聚磷酸铵(APP)、氮磷复合肥硝酸磷肥(NiP)、硫酸铵+过磷酸钙混施(SA+P),试验60天后测定了玉米的生物学指标和玉米植株磷素含量,同时测定了土壤有效磷与土...     

山东石灰性潮土、褐土无机磷的形态、转化和有效性

应用蒋柏藩、顾益初提出的“石灰性土壤无机磷分级方法”研究了山东省石灰性潮土、褐土、砂姜黑土的无机磷组成、转化和对作物的有效性。结果表明,石灰性土壤无机磷中以Ca10-P占绝对优势,约占无机磷总量的54.52％,其次为O-P,占21.55％,Al-P、Fe-P,Ca8-P分别占5～10％,Ca2-P只有1.08％;在土壤剖面中各级无机磷皆随剖面深度增加而减少;水溶性磷肥施入土壤后,在作物一个生长季节内主要转化成Ca8-P,占全部转化量的50～70％,其次是Ca2-P,占10～30％,Al-P占11～13％,Fe-P很少,占5％左右;在各级无机磷中对作物有效性顺序是Ca2-P>Al-P、Fe-P>Ca8-P>O-P、Ca10-P。     

Kinetics of Copper Desorption from Highly Calcareous Soils

Abstract

Desorption of copper (Cu) is an important factor in determining Cu availability in calcareous soils. Kinetics of native and added Cu desorption by DTPA (diethylene‐triaminepentaacetic‐acid) from 15 highly calcareous soils of southern Iran were studied in a laboratory experiment. Our results showed that two constant‐rate, Elovich, simple Elovich, and parabolic‐diffusion equations were the best‐fitted equations among eight kinetic models used. The copper desorption pattern based on the parabolic‐diffusion equation revealed that the rate of native Cu desorption was higher in the first 2 h followed by a slower release rate, which suggests that two different mechanisms are involved. The trend may describe why the DTPA soil test has been considerably successful in predicting Cu availability in calcareous soils. Stepwise multiple regression equations indicated that CCE (calcium carbonate equivalent), CEC (cation exchange capacity), and clay content are the most important soil characteristics that predict the rate constants of the kinetic models. Mean extractant recovery percentage (ERP) of the soils was only 20%, which indicated that after 20 days, DTPA extracted only one‐fifth of added Cu. Regression equations indicated that as soil OM (organic matter) content increased, the value of ERP decreased. From results reported herein it seems that CCE, CEC, and clay are the most important factors controlling Cu release from highly calcareous soils of southern Iran. However, the initial soil Cu desorption rate is probably controlled by CEC.     

肥际微域土壤的室内培养法研究磷对石灰性潮土的影响

采用室内恒温培养试验法对施入不同量磷(P)肥的石灰性潮土的各种理化特性进行为期180d的模拟研究,结果表明,磷肥的加入使土壤pH值发生了显著的变化,由原来的8.76下降到最小值7.36。高施P量处理F1、F2、F3、F4和F5的Olsen-P浓度分别为2338.5、1576.7、713.6和316.9mgkg-1,0.01molL-1 KCl溶液提取P浓度分别为1226.3、1189.2、880.2和382.9mgkg-1。各处理Olsen-P和0.01molL-1KCl溶液提取P浓度在同一培养时间随施P量的增加而增大,而对同一施P量处理而言,随着培养时间的延长其值呈下降趋势,且随施P量增大下降幅度加大。培养土中有机磷含量随培养时间延长而增加。各处理的无机磷分级体系中,钙磷在无机磷中占绝对优势,Ca2-P、Ca8-P和Al-P含量随P肥加入量的增加而增大,Fe-P含量很小,O-P含量和Ca10-P含量变化不大,随着培养时间的延长,Ca2-P含量减少较多,而Ca8-P含量大量增加,且Ca8-P含量均大于Ca2-P含量。     

A Modified DMT-HFO Technique for Investigating the Kinetics of Phosphorus Desorption from Calcareous Soils and its Relationship with Maize Growth

In this research, phosphorus (P) desorption was investigated using DMT-HFO as an “infinite” sink for 10 calcareous soils over a period of 1–35 days and the kinetic data was related to soil properties and P uptake by maize (Zea mays L.). First- and second-order, and simple Elovich equations adequately described P desorption kinetics, however parabolic, exponential and zero order equations provided the best fits to the data. A systematic relationship exists between the second order rate parameter (k₂) and the clay content of the soils. There are positive relationships between P desorption rate constants (for zero order, Elovich and parabolic equations), and both dry matter and P content of maize shoots and also for roots. These relationships indicate that P desorption rate may be a limiting factor for maize growth in these soils. The DMT-HFO technique may be used to assess the long-term availability of P to plants.     

Impact of Poultry Manure Application on Phosphorus Desorption in Some Calcareous Soils

Laboratory experiments were conducted to study the kinetics of phosphorus (P) desorption in different calcareous soils of Hamadan Province of Iran. Soils were fertilized with poultry manure at 50 ton ha^–1 and incubated at 25 ± 1 °C at 15% moisture for 6 months. The release rate of P was studied by successive extraction with 0.5 M sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) over a period of 1–1752 h. Also, available P was determined. The results showed that available P in fertilized and unfertilized soils ranged from 13.3 to 55.1 and 10.0 to 50.1 mg kg^–1, respectively. Phosphorus desorption from the fertilized and unfertilized soils began with a fast initial reaction, followed by a slow secondary reaction. The amount of P released after 1752 h in fertilized and unfertilized soils ranged from 319.2 to 623.9 and 309 to 586.7 mg kg^–1, respectively. The amount of P released was significantly correlated with available P. The kinetics of cumulative P release were evaluated using the five kinetic equations. Phosphorus desorption kinetics were best described by the parabolic diffusion law, first order, and power function equations. Rate constants of these equations different in fertilized and unfertilized soils.     

Effect of Time of Application of the First Dose of Nitrogen on Yield and Fertilizer Use Efficiency in Maize Grown in Calcareous Soils

Application of a basal dose of fertilizer nitrogen (N) at sowing of maize has been always practiced in general recommendations in Egypt and elsewhere. A field experiment in two consecutive years (2015 and 2016) was conducted to assess the usefulness of application of a dose of N fertilizer at sowing of maize in calcareous soil at West Delta, Egypt. The treatments consisted of N fertilizer levels of 0, 240, 280, and 320 kg N ha^?1 applied in three equal split doses. The first dose for each level was practiced at 0, 7, 14, and 21 days after sowing (DAS). The results indicated that practicing the first dose of N fertilizer at 0 or 7 DAS resulted in highest normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) at early growth stage. However, the NDVI at later stages dramatically modified to reach highest when practicing the first dose at 14 or 21 DAS. Grain yields of maize when applying the first dose at 14 or 21 DAS were always significantly higher than when applied at 0 or 7 DAS. This was consistent with N fertilizer-use efficiencies. By just postponing the first dose of N from 0 to 14 DAS resulted in an increase of 7.7–13.5% in recovery efficiency and 1.1–2.7 kg grain kg^?1 N in agronomic efficiency in both seasons. This study evidenced that application of N fertilizer early at sowing of maize is not necessary as it could resulted in low N-use efficiency.     

Metal Extractability in Binary and Multi-metals Spiked Calcareous Soils

In the present study, a laboratory experiment was designed to compare the 0.01 M calcium chloride (CaCl₂) and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) extraction methods for their ability to predict cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) availability and mobility in five calcareous soils. The soils were spiked with different amounts of metals (0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg kg^?1) both in binary (Cu and Zn; Ni and Cd; Fe and Mn) and in multi-systems (Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn) and incubated for 1 months at field capacity. In metal-spiked soils, both extraction methods showed a linear relationship of extractable to total metals for all soils. The fraction of total metals extracted by DTPA was much higher than the fraction extracted by CaCl₂, which was attributed to the formation of soluble metal-complexes in the complexing extracts calculated by the Visual Minteq program. DTPA extraction method showed higher selectivity for Cu over other metals both in binary and in multi-systems. Different order of metals extractability was found in binary and multi-systems for both extraction methods. Solid/solution distribution coefficient (K_d) was calculated by the ratio of the solid phase to soil solution concentration of metals extracted by CaCl₂ or DTPA extraction methods. Both in binary and in multi-systems, the average K_d (l kg^?1) of metals by soils were in the order of Mn (5398) > Fe (4413) > Zn (3376) > Cu (2520) > Ni (969) > Cd (350) in the CaCl₂-extractable metals and Fe (35) ≥ Ni (34) > Zn (18) > Mn (11.2) > Cu (6.3) > Cd (4) in the DTPA-extractable metals. Results showed that among the six studied metals, Cd had the lowest K_d, implying a relative higher mobility in these calcareous soils. The Visual Minteq indicated that in the CaCl₂-extraction method and in both binary and multi-systems the dominant species for Cu, Mn, Ni, and Zn were Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Zn²⁺, respectively, while for Cd and Fe, the dominant species were CdCl⁺ and Fe(OH)²⁺, respectively.     

Comparison of Phosphorus Use Efficiency Among Various Winter Wheat Accessions Grown in Acid and Calcareous Soils

The objective was to differentiate and estimate phosphorus (P)-uptake and P-utilization efficiency among several winter wheat accessions. Twenty-two accessions were characterized for their ability to uptake and utilize P in two low P soils (acid and calcareous). Plants were grown for 28 days in two different sized pots and analyzed for biomass and total P concentration. Total P uptake and biomass was greater in the large pot and calcareous soil. However, there were no significant correlations between the small and large pot for biomass, P uptake, and P concentration, indicating that rooting conditions were different for the two pots, which allowed differentiation between P-utilization and P-uptake efficiency. Possession of ALTM1 gene for malate excretion did not appear to be related to P-uptake efficiency. Several accessions were found to be either P-uptake or P-utilization efficient in both soils. Phosphorus use efficiency mechanisms may contribute to acid soil tolerance.     

有机酸对石灰性潮土有机磷组分的影响

采用小麦盆栽试验的方法,研究了有机酸对石灰性潮土有机 P 组分含量及土壤 P 有效性的影响.结果表明:石灰性潮土的 4 种有机 P 组分中,以中度活性有机 P 为主,其次为高稳性有机 P 和中稳性有机 P ,活性有机P的含量最低;施用磷酸二氢钾和氟磷灰石后,土壤有机P总量和有机P各组分发生了变化;土壤经有机酸处理后,有机P总量增加,有机P总量的增加主要是中度活性有机P和活性有机P的增加.而中稳性有机P和高稳性有机P主要表现为下降,说明有机酸能够促进土壤有机P由有效性较低的形态逐步向有效性高的形态转化,从而进一步矿化为无机P或者被植物根系直接吸收,其中草酸的作用效果总体上较腐殖酸强;在P素供应不足的情况下,有机酸(草酸和腐殖酸)能够提高石灰性潮土中P的有效性,促进植物的正常生长.     

Role of Phenolics and Organic Acids in Phosphorus Mobilization in Calcareous and Acidic Soils

Abstract

Phenolic acids (caffeic, CAF; protocatechuic, PCA; p-coumaric, COU; and vanillic, VAN), catechol (CAT), poly-galacturonic acid (PGA), and citric acid (CIT) were compared for their effectiveness in phosphorus (P) mobilization in three soils differing in chemical properties. The addition of organic ligands at 100 μmol g^{? 1} soil increased the concentrations of resin P (P_r), water-extractable P (P_w), and bicarbonate-extractable inorganic P (P_bi), thus improving the phosphorus availability. The magnitude of P mobilization in the calcareous soil can be expressed in the following order: CAF > CAT > PCA = CIT > VAN > COU > PGA, which was consistent with the number of phenolic hydroxyl groups they contained and the position of carboxyl on the benzoic ring. In the two acid soils tested, the order of P mobilization was CIT > CAT > PCA > CAF after 24 h incubation, and CIT > PCA > CAF > CAT after a 14 d incubation. The mobilized P originated partly from the organic P fractions, which could be extracted by 0.5 M NaHCO₃. In addition, P_r decreased and P_w increased during incubation. The exceptions were that the CAF treatment increased P_r and the CIT treatment did not affect P_w. Calcium extraction from the soils after a 1 d or 14 d incubation could not fully account for the P mobilization. The results suggest that the inorganic P dissolution by the organic ligands was not the only mechanism of P mobilization in the calcareous soil, while in acid soils the chelation of metal cations by organic ligands is likely an important factor in P mobilization.     

Sugarcane Biomass Yield Response to Phosphorus Fertilizer on Four Mineral Soils as Related to Extractable Soil Phosphorus

ABSTRACT

The efficient use of phosphorus (P) fertilizers is very important in South Florida so that the environmental impact is minimal while meeting crop demand. To ensure that this is accomplished, an updated soil test P calibration is needed for sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) grown on Florida mineral soils, which accounts for almost 30% of the total sugarcane planted in the state. An outdoor pot experiment was conducted with the objective of evaluating four soil extractants for potential use in soil test P calibrations. Sugarcane cultivar CL 88–4730 was grown in 26L pots in a randomized complete block design with four replications of four P fertilizer rates (0, 38, 76, and 152 mg P L^?1 soil) and four soil series (2 Spodosols, 1 Entisol, and 1 Alfisol). Sugarcane biomass was significantly increased with P fertilizer application and extractable soil P significantly increased with increasing P fertilizer rate. Strongest relationships of extractable soil P with relative fresh weight yield were determined with the water, acetic acid, and ammonium acetate extractants. All extractants tested, including Mehlich 3, had significant relationships with relative yield and leaf P concentration and so all these extractants should be considered in further field calibration studies with sugarcane on Florida mineral soils.

Abbreviations: EAA: Everglades Agricultural Area; EREC: Everglades Research and Education Center; OM: organic matter; TSP: Triple superphosphate     

Comparison of Mehlich-3 and Ammonium Bicarbonate-DTPA for the Extraction of Phosphorus and Potassium in Calcareous Soils from Florida

Developing a fast and reliable soil testing method is critical for improving soil testing efficiency and ensuring reliable fertilizer recommendation. The objectives of this study were to evaluate Mehlich-3 (M-3) as a replacement for ammonium bicarbonate-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (AB-DTPA) to extract phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) and to determinate the relationships between extractable P and K and their uptakes by crop in calcareous soils. M-3 and AB-DTPA were compared by using two approaches. In the first approach, the amounts of extracted P and K were compared by analyzing soil samples collected from agricultural production areas; in the second approach, snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) were grown in pot to determine the P and K uptakes by crop. There were significant correlations between M-3 and AB-DTPA for both soil test P and K based on soils collected from the agricultural field and the pot study. Soil test P and K by both extractants were significantly correlated with their uptakes by snap bean. The critical value of M-3-P regarding snap bean uptake was 47 mg kg^?1 and was higher than that (18 mg kg^?1) for AB-DTPA-P, whereas critical soil test K levels were similar between M-3 and AB-DTPA. M-3 was identified as an alternate improved extraction method instead of AB-DTPA in calcareous soils based on this study. However, more work will be needed to identify the correlation of the two extractants and crop responses under a field condition.     

溶磷细菌肥对石灰性土壤磷素转化的影响

通过室内模拟培养和大豆盆栽土培生物模拟试验，研究了磷细菌溶解磷酸钙的能力及在北方石灰性土壤上施用磷细菌肥对土壤磷素转化的影响。试验结果表明：磷细菌菌株具有较强溶解磷酸钙的能力，磷酸钙的溶出率从第1天的2．80％提高到第8天的22．00％。在贫速效磷和富难溶性磷土壤上施用溶磷细菌肥有利于土壤中难溶态的Ca10-P和缓效态Ca8-P含量下降，促使土壤中Ca2-P和Al-P的含量增加，从而使土壤中有效磷含量增加。而对于富速效磷的土壤，无论施菌肥与否对土壤中各种形杰的无机磷绢分基本没有影响．     

Differential Growth Performance of 15 Wheat Genotypes for Grain Yield and Phosphorus Uptake on a Low Phosphorus Soil Without and With Applied Phosphorus Fertilizer

ABSTRACT

Two field experiments were conducted to compare 15 wheat genotypes at two phosphorus (P) levels (zero-P control or low P level—without application of P fertilizer on soil with 8 mg extractable P kg^?1, and adequate P level—with P fertilizer applied at 52 kg P ha^?1) for yield, P uptake, and P utilization efficiency (P efficiency ratio—PER, P harvest index—PHI, and P physiological efficiency index—PPEI). On the average of two experiments, substantial and significant differences were observed among wheat genotypes for both grain and straw yields at both P levels. Grain yields ranged from 2636 to 4455 kg ha^?1 in the zero-P control, and from 2915 to 4753 kg ha^?1 at adequate P level. Genotype 5039 produced the maximum grain yield, while 6529-11 had the minimum grain yield at both P levels. Relative reduction in grain yield due to P deficiency stress (PSF) ranged from none to 32%, indicating differential P requirements of genotypes. Genotypes 4943, Pasban 90, Inqlab 91, PB 85, Lu 26s, 4770, Chakwal 86, 4072, 6544-6, and 5039 had little or no response to P application. Phosphorus responsive genotypes included FSD 83, Kohinoor 83, Parvaz-94, Pak 81, and 6529-11. A non-significant correlation (r = ?0.466, P > 0.05) between grain and PSF in zero-P control treatment also indicated the least effect of P deficiency on some wheat genotypes. A wide range of PPEI (270–380 kg grain kg^?1 P absorbed in grain + straw at control P level, and 210–330 kg grain kg^?1 P absorbed in grain + straw at adequate P level) indicated differential utilization of absorbed P by the genotypes for grain production. This indicated that wheat genotypes differed considerably in their P requirement for growth and responsiveness to P application. The findings also suggested that PPEI was a better parameter for measuring P efficiency than other parameters, and can be used for selecting P efficient genotypes, because it relates to the internal concentration of a nutrient and genetic makeup of plant. It is concluded that genotypes having ability to produce relatively high grain yield, good command to tune P within plant and high PPEI are suited to low P soil conditions. Genotypes 4072, Inqlab 91, 4943, Pak 81 and 5039 were P efficient and had above mentioned abilities, while genotypes FSD 83, 6544-6, and 6529-11 were P inefficient. It should be noted that traits related to P efficiency are inheritable and can be used to improve P use efficiency of a genotype through back cross breeding programs.     

Biomass and Phosphorus Uptake Responses of Maize to Phosphorus Application in Three Acid Soils from Southern Cameroon

Abstract

A phosphorus (P) greenhouse experiment was carried out with maize (Zea Mays L.) using surface horizons of three contrasted acid soils from southern Cameroon. The objectives were (i) to assess causal factors of maize differential growth and P uptake and (ii) to explore plant–soil interactions in acid soils under increasing P supply. Shoot and root dry‐matter yield and P uptake were significantly influenced by soil type and P rate (P<0.000), but the interaction was not significant. Soil properties that significantly (P<0.05) influenced maize growth variables were available P, soil pH, exchangeable bases [calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg)], and exchangeable aluminium (Al). Data ordination through principal‐component analysis highlighted a four‐component model that accounted for 88.1% of total system variance (TSV) and summarized plant reaction in acid soil condition. The first component, associated with 36.1% of TSV, pointed at increasing root–shoot ratio with increasing soil acidity and exchangeable Al. The second component (24.6% of TSV) highlighted soil labile P pool increase as a function of P rate. The third and fourth components reflected nitrogen (N) accumulation in soils and soil texture variability, respectively.     

Phosphorus Use Efficiency of Wheat Genotypes Grown in Calcareous Soils

ABSTRACT

Phosphorus (P) deficiency and low P-use efficiency are induced by soil properties, especially in calcareous soils, which are dominant in semi-arid regions of the world such as the Mediterranean region. Alternative approaches to P fertilization involve exploiting plant genetics in order to achieve more efficient use of P by the growing crop. Accordingly, in a greenhouse pot experiment, we evaluated P-efficiency in wheat genotypes grown in typical calcareous soils in southern Turkey. Ten common local genotypes were grown in six soil series for eight weeks using five P application rates (0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg P kg^?1). Dry matter (DM) yield and P content were significantly increased by increasing P rates, with significant differences between soils. Some genotypes performed better under P stress because of better P utilization efficiency. Shoot DM was the most sensitive indicator of genetic variability under P-deficient conditions. Genotypes classified as efficient-responsive (Adana-99, 1014, Golia, Balatilla) had above average DM yield when P was not added, and responded well to P applications; efficient-non-responsive genotypes (Firat-93, Seri-82, Genc-99, Panda) had below average DM yield, but responded to P applications; inefficient-non-responsive genotypes (Fuat Bey and Ceyhan-99) had below average DM yield; and no genotypes were in the inefficient responsive category. Such P response categorization is needed for better breeding programs for nutrient-use efficiency. The study may aid in selecting P-efficient genotypes in low-P soils, especially where little P is used. The use of P-efficient genotypes should be seen as complement to, rather than a substitute for, chemical P fertilization depending on local conditions.