“…Its deficiency in soil affects about 50% of rice-cultivated areas worldwide (Pariasca-Tanaka et al, 2014). Together with drought and salinity, they constitute the major abiotic stresses confronting rice production in the growing areas (GRiSP, 2013;Uyoh et al, 2019;Umego et al, 2020). Phosphorus is usually added to the soil in the form of fertilizer for enhanced yield.…”