Leaf Phosphorus of Sugarcane Genotypes Selected for High Yields in Florida

ABSTRACT Reduction in P discharge from farms in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) is required to protect habitat in the Florida Everglades. The objective of this study was to characterize leaf P concentration at three P fertilizer rates for 24 sugarcane (interspecific hybrids of Saccharum spp.) genotypes previously selected for high cane and sugar yields in the EAA. Three cultivars were identified with high leaf P concentrations, three with low concentrations, and one with very high leaf P. Results suggest that breeders should initially be able to develop cultivars that remove an additional 4.5 kg P ha−1 yr−1 from EAA sugarcane fields.