Phosphorus absorption by of corn hybrids grown in savana soils

Abstract

In the past years the savana region has been one of the main agricultural expansion areas, however their soils present high limitation for plant growth due their high acidity, low natural fertility, and low phosphorus availability. The objective of this work was to compare 30 of the main recommended maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids for the cerrado region in relation to their ability to absorb poorly-available soil phosphorus through the 32P isotopic dilution technique, using a Typic Dystrarox cultivated for 20 years and another under natural vegetation. Differences in absorption ability were observed among hybrids, seven classified as efficient, sixteen mildly efficient and seven inefficient, for the case of soil cultivated for 20 years. The plant growth and phosphorus concentration in the natural soil was lower due to its low fertility.