Effects of low-molecular-mass organic acids on P nutrition and some plant properties of Hordeum vulgare

One of the strategies of the plants growing in phosphorus (P)-deficient environments is to exudate low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOA). Thus, we aimed to investigate the effect of LMWOA on phosphorus uptake of barley from either fertilizer or inherited soil phosphorus. The experiment was set up in full factorial arrangement in completely randomised design with two phosphorus (0 and 50mg P kg(-1)), five organic acids, LMWOA (malic acid, oxalic acid, citric acid, acetic acid, ascorbic acid), and four organic acid rates (0, 10, 20, and 30mmol kg(-1)). The effects of LMWOA on yield in descending order were: oxalic acid > ascorbic acid > malic acid > acetic acid > citric acid. The maximum P concentration in grain was obtained at 30mmol kg(-1) LMWOA treatments. As a result, it was found that oxalic acid was the most effective LMWOA in increasing nutrient uptake induced grain yield with and without phosphorous fertilizer application.