EVALUATION OF THE NUTRITIONAL-STATUS OF 6 VENEZUELAN HYBRIDS OF GRAIN-SORGHUM (SORGHUM-BICOLOR L MOENCH)

Six grain sorghum hybirds were grown in nutrient solution with (0, 31 and 62 mg l(-1)) P. Their nutritional status was evaluated by leaf ana lysis and by the uptake of P-32 by excised roots. Positive correlation s were found between the following pairs of variables: substrate P and dry matter yield; substrate P and leaf P. On the other hand, as expec ted, negative correlation was observed between uptake of radiophosphor us and nutrient solution P. Both methods were capable of assessing the nutritional status of the sorghum plants. Therefore the uptake of P-3 2 by excised roots may be used in the bioevaluation of the P status of grain sorghum.