RESPONSE OF COMMON BEAN TO PHOSPHORUS ON ACID SOILS

The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of common bea n (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to phosphorus (P) fertilization on four acid soils. The soils used were Dusky Red-Latosol, Dark Red-Latosol, Red-Y ellow Latosol, and Red sand and P treatments applied were 0, 25, 50, 1 00, and 200 mg P kg(-1) of soil. Phosphorus application significantly increased dry matter, grain yield, and yield components, but the respo nse varied from soil to soil. Under glasshouse conditions, 90% of maxi mum yield was obtained with the application of 88 to 167 mg P kg(-1) a nd the critical extractable P level varied from 5.4 to 86 mg P kg(-1) of soil, depending on the soil. Grain yield of common bean had positiv e significant (P < 0.01) correlation with number of pods, number of gr ains, and P concentration in the tops.