Rate variables associated with P uptake,utilization and growth of mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal Leucaena leucocephala 1

A sequential harvest experiment was conducted in the greenhouse to determine relative growth rate (RGR), specific absorption rate (SAR) of P, P utilization rate (PUR) and P utilization efficiency (PUE) of vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) and nonmycorrhizal Leucaena leucocephala. Total P content, root length and total dry‐matter yield of mycorrhizal plants were significantly higher than those of nonmycorrhizal plants beginning on 15, 25 and 25 days after planting, respectively. The length of root colonized by Glomus aggregatum increased exponentially with time and leveled off 30 days after planting. In mycorrhizal plants, RGR of roots (based on total root length) was lower than those of RGR of infected roots till 30 days after planting, after which time the trend was reversed. Although, RGR based on dry‐matter yield was higher in mycorrhizal plants than in nonmycorrhizal plants, the differences observed were not statistically significant. SAR of P was higher in mycorrhizal plants than in nonmycorrhizal ones till 30 days after planting. Even though, total P contents and concentrations in mycorrhizal plants were higher than nonmycorrhizal plants, PUR and PUE were higher in nonmycorrhizal plants. These results indicate that, although VAM plants were very efficient in P absorption and accumulation, they were not superior to non‐VAM plants in P utilization. However, plant species forming effective symbiosis with VAM fungi are likely to be successful competitors in nutrient‐poor environments than plants not infected with the fungi.