Phosphorus Use Efficiency of Common Bean Cultivars in Ethiopia

Phosphorus (P) deficiency in the soil is one of the major factors limiting common bean production in Ethiopia. A pot experiment was conducted in a glasshouse at Hawassa University in southern Ethiopia to evaluate twelve common bean cultivars for P use efficiency at three phosphorus rates (0, 120, and 240 kg P2O5 ha−1). The results of the study revealed that the interaction effect of cultivar and P rates significantly (P < 0.01) influenced grain yield efficiency index (GYEI), grain yield and yield attributing traits, leaf P concentration, root length, diameter and surface area. Grain yield efficiency index at low and medium phosphorus rates indicated that Red-Wolaita, Dinkinesh, Tabour, Nasir and Haramaya are P-efficient, whereas Chore was found to be P-inefficient. These genotypic variations could be exploited for sustainable production of the crop by fitting suitable varieties to soils with variable P availability. Thus, the P-efficient cultivars indicated above could be recommended for cultivation by smallholder farmers in soil with low P availability that is dominant in the study area.