Phosphorus nutrition of grain legumes in the semi-arid tropics

This book contains papers presented at an international workshop on this topic held at ICRISAT Center on 8-11 Jan 1990. The workshop was the culmination of a 5-year special project at ICRISAT funded by the Government of Japan. The first part of the book. covers phosphorus availability in soils of the semi-arid tropiCS (SAT). focusing on appropriate methods of measurement Then follows a section on mechanisms by which plant roots take up soil phosphorus. highlighting the role of root exudates. Specific root exudates of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] are described in detail. Subsequent chapters deal with options for improving the phosphorus nutrition of grain legumes. particularly chickpea and pigeonpea. in the SAT. Noteworthy are discussions on how to manipulate favorably mycorrhizal associaLions. Final chapters cover phospHorus fertilization from the point of view of entire cropping systems. Recommendations are made for a better understanding of the dynamics of phosphorus cycling in target cropping systems. and the need for better use of current knowledge in improving phosphorus fertilizer-use efficiency in these systems