Aluminum tolerant wheat varieties can present increased efficiency of phosphorus use in presence of aluminum. A greenhouse experiment was conducted in 1994 to compare the wheat cultivars (Toropi) and (CNT 8), considered efficient and inefficient, respectively, in relation to phosphorus use. Nutrient solutions containing two phosphorus (1.6 and 32.3 µmol L-1) and two aluminum (0.0 and 37.0 µmol L-1) concentrations were tested. Root morphology and phosphate use were established for the plants, which were harvested from the pots on the 31th day. Roots of the Toropi cultivar were less affected by aluminum than CNT 8; there was no relationship, however, between phosphorus uptake and root length, radius or surface. The presence of aluminum increased the difference between Toropi and CNT 8 in their efficiency of phosphorus uptake, translocation and utilization. Toropi, which is more tolerant towards aluminum, proved to be more efficient.
efficiency; plant nutrition; nutrient use; genotypes; tolerance
