Exploring Adaptation Strategies of Common Bean to Phosphorus Deficiency under Field Conditions: Interactions between Nutrient Uptake and Symbiotic Associations
Abstract
Understanding the factors influencing phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) use efficiencies under soil P deficiency, is essential for developing strategies to mitigate P limitation. This study was conducted to investigate how common bean copes with P deficiency under Mediterranean agro ecological conditions. Three genotypes (Contender (C), Djadida (Dj), and Tema (T)) were grown across nine field sites in the Tizi-Ouzou province of Algeria. The sites were grouped into three clusters according to soil texture, pH, and altitude. At flowering stage, plants were uprooted and analyzed for growth, nodulation, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonization, P and N content, and corresponding nutrient use efficiencies. The study results show highly significant effect of cluster (P<0.001), a significant effect of genotype (P<0.05), and a significant genotype × cluster interaction (P<0.01), on plant growth and P and N Use Efficiencies. Shoot Dry Weight, P and N use efficiencies differ significantly among clusters and genotypes within the same cluster, while AMF colonization didn’t differ between genotypes. These parameters were significantly higher in the clusters 2 and 3 characterized by fine textured and alkaline soils and situated at low altitudes. Nodulation occurred only in the cluster 1 with coarse textured soils, neutral pH and high altitudes. The genotype C performs better in clusters 1 and 2, while T performed better in cluster 3. Interestingly, Dj showed intermediate performances between C and T, across all clusters. Integrating such knowledge into breeding programs could strengthen common bean resilience and productivity in phosphorus-deficient agro-ecosystems.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Land Capability and Soil Productivity, Plant Nutrition and Soil Fertility, Soil Ecology
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Zohra Touati
*
0009-0003-4733-7735
Algeria
Karima Toudert-taleb
This is me
0009-0005-0320-576X
Algeria
Publication Date
March 24, 2026
Submission Date
September 30, 2025
Acceptance Date
December 17, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 32 Number: 2