Effects of phosphorus supply on nitrogen and potassium absorption and distribution of maize with different phosphorus efficiency

A high phosphate efficient (HPE)maize (Zea Mays L.) variety (KH5)and a low phosphate efficient(LPE) maize variety (Xi 502) were planted in sand medium and supplied with low(Pi, 25(μmol/L), LP)and normal (Pi, 2(mmol/L), NP) phosphorus to study the effects of phosphate supply on nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) absorption and distribution. Result showed that HPE maize performed a higher N and K absorption efficiency in low P regiment, its N, K absorption and dry matter accumulation were less affected by low P supply. In low P condition, N and K absorption and dry matter production capability of LPE maize was much lower than that of HPE maize, despite its significantly higher N, K uptake and dry matter accumulation when growing in normal P condition. Low P supply caused an increase in the rate of dry matter and N, K distribution in root, and this kind of trend is more striking in LPE maize, reflects it's less tolerant to low P stress.