Genetic variation for Mg tissue concentration in pearl millet lines grown under Mg stress conditions
1990
Keisling, T.C. | Hanna, W. | Walker, M.E.
Efficient nutrient utilization by plants is extremely important in developing countries and is becoming more important in the developed countries as the costs of fertilizers are increasing. Pearl millet is a world food and forage crop usually grown on droughty soils low in nutrients. Eighty-five genetically diverse pearl millet, Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. lines were grown in low Mg and K sand for three weeks to screen for efficient Mg uptake. Magnesium free Hoagland's solution at one-fourth strength was used to water the plants as needed. Forage produced was clipped, dried, ground, ashed, and analyzed for Mg and K content. A 2-fold difference for Mg concentration in the forage existed among the lines. The data indicated that a low [K]/[Mg] ratio in the plant was indicative of a Mg efficient genotype. The data also suggest that caution should be used in making general nutrient recommendations based on tissue or soil tests without knowing the nutrient requirement of the cultivar.
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