Diagnosing phosphorus deficiency in field peas

Nearly all soils in Western Australia were phosphorus (P) deficient when cleared for agriculture, but continual use of P fertiliser means acute deficiency in broadacre crops is rare, with the exception of very acidic and high PBI (phosphorus buffering index) soils, P deficiency is often transitory and compounded by dry soil with symptoms disappearing when topsoil is re-wet following rainfall.

 

Mildly deficient plants are smaller and less branched
Plants are much smaller with shortened internodes and reduced branch formation
Older leaves develop mottled chlorosis and leaf margins become severely chlorotic, then die
Stressed plants often have induced P deficiency

What to look for

    Paddock

  • Smaller darker plants with worse symptoms on higher P-fixing, water repellent and very acidic soils, and in very dry seasons.

    Plant

  • Reduced early growth, stunting, and darkening in colour of the whole plant. Reddening of stems, petioles, tendrils and leaf margins can occur, particularly if the plant is stressed.
  • Older growth is first and most affected.
  • As deficiency progresses, older leaves develop mottled chlorosis, and leaf margins become severely chlorotic then die.

Where does it occur?

  • P deficiency is more likely on high PBI soil.
  • Dry topsoil can lead to temporary P deficiency on all soils particularly during early crop growth and on water repellent soils.

Management strategies

  • Plants have a high P requirement for phosphorus during early growth and a deficiency can not be corrected within the growing season.
  • Field pea sometimes show larger responses than wheat to P fertiliser applications, but this is not universal and on some soils (often those with a higher pH and lower nitrogen content) field pea has used P fertiliser more effectively than wheat.
  • For peas, the wheat P calculator is a reasonable tool for estimating P requirement if making adjustments for pea yield and price.
  • P is best applied at planting in a band to the side of or 2 to 3cm below, the seed. Placing fertiliser away from the seed prevents acid scorching. Nutrient release from deeper placement coincides well with root development.

How can it be monitored?

Soil test
Soil test
Tissue test
Tissue test
  • Soil test to determine P fertiliser requirements. Soil tests may underestimate available P on very low PBI sands and overestimate it on acidic and water repellent soils (particularly in the Darling Range).
  • Use whole-top plant test to diagnose suspected P deficiency, and compare paired good/poor plant samples of the same age where possible.

Further information

Pulse Australia [1]

Links
[1] http://www.pulseaus.com.au/

Source URL: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/mycrop/diagnosing-phosphorus-deficiency-field-peas
This print version was generated at 1:25am on the 29th of April, 2024.
The original document was last revised at Wed, 13/05/2015 - 4:11pm

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Important disclaimer

The Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the State of Western Australia accept no liability whatsoever by reason of negligence or otherwise arising from the use or release of this information or any part of it.