Phosphorus acquisition and use efficiency in bean cultivars of the 'Carioca' and 'Preto' commercial groups

This study aimed to evaluate phosphorus (P) acquisition and use efficiency in bean cultivars of the “Carioca” and “Preto” commercial groups in nutrient solution. Six cultivars of the “Carioca” group (“Pérola,” “IPR Siriri,” “IPR Eldorado,” “BAT 477,” “Campeão 2,” and “Aporé”) and 7 cultivars of the “Preto” group (“IPR,” “Uirapuru,” “IPR Graúna,” “IPR Tiziu,” “IPR Tuiuiú,” “FT Soberano,” “BRS Esplendor,” and “BRS Supremo”) were evaluated at 2 levels of phosphorus (6.25 and 25.02 μM L-1). The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse and arranged in a completely randomized factorial design with 6 replicates, and the dry weights of the shoots (fractioned into the dry weights of the stems, leaves, pods, and beans) and roots were evaluated at physiological maturity. Phosphorous content was determined in these vegetative structures using an atomic emission spectrophotometer, and indices of P absorption, translocation and use efficiency were then quantified. Statistically significant diferences were observed in all P absorption and use efficiency indices for the “Preto” group cultivars whereas in the “Carioca” group, only the P absorption and translocation indices showed significant differences. The “IPR Eldorado” and “IPR Graúna” cultivars stood out for P absorption and translocation efficiency while the “IPR Uirapuru” and “IPR Tiziu” cultivars stood out for P use efficiency. These cultivars have the potential for use in future bean genetic improvement programs aimed at reducing phosphate fertilizer use and production costs.