%0 Journal Article
%@ 0036-8075
%A Noriharu, Ae
%A Arihara, J
%A Okada, K
%A Yoshihara, T
%A Johansen, C
%D 1990
%F icrisat:4979
%I Science
%J Science
%N 4954
%P 477-480
%T Phosphorus Uptake by Pigeon Pea and Its Role in Cropping Systems of the Indian Subcontinent
%U http://oar.icrisat.org/4979/
%V 248
%X Pigeon pea was shown to be more efficient at utilizing iron-bound phosphorus (Fe-P) than several other crop species. This ability is attributed to root exudates, in particular piscidic acid and its p-O-methyl derivative, which release phosphorus from Fe-P by chelating Fe3+. Pigeon pea is normally intercropped with cereals under low-input conditions in the Indian subcontinent. Although pigeon pea can utilize the relatively insoluble Fe-P, intercropped cereals must rely on the more soluble calcium-bound phosphorus. This finding suggests that cultivation of pigeon pea increases total phosphorus availability in cropping systems with low available phosphorus.