Phosphorus fertilizer response in narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum) compared to wheat (Triticum aestivum) in early growth

A glasshouse experiment was conducted to examine the comparative growth and P uptake response following P fertilizer application in lupins (Lupinus angustifolius L. cv. Chittick) and chickpeas (Cicer arietinum cv. Tyson) compared to wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Sunstar). Measurements of dry matter, phosphorus uptake and nodule numbers were made at 50 and 100 days after sowing. At the 50 day harvest, the two legume crops produced less dry matter and accumulated less plant P than wheat but no such species interactions were present at the 100 day harvest. Chickpeas showed strong positive responses in nodule numbers with increasing rates of P fertilizer while such effects were less and more variable with lupins.