Exploitation of genetic variations among crop species and genotypes for increased phosphorus (P) efficiency can sustain crop yields in soils low in available P Five rice cultivars (viz Basmati-385, Basmati-370, Super Basmati, Shaheen Basmati & NIAB-IR9) were evaluated for their growth response and P uptake from phosphate rock (PR) and mono-ammonium phosphate (MAP) in hydroponics Shoot and root dry matter production, P concentration differed significantly (p<0 01) among cultivars grown either with PR and MAP However, plants grown with MAP accumulated higher biomass and P contents than grown with PR Phosphorus contents in plants grown with PR ranged between 2 20 to 5 14 mg per plant and it ranged between 19 51 and 34 82 mg per plant grown with MAP Phosphorus utilization efficiency was maximum in NIAB-IR9, Basmati-370 and Basmati-385 when grown with PR, while in plants grown with MAP, Super Basmati, Basmati-385 and NIAB-IR9 exhibited maximum P use efficiency Cultivars Basmati-385 and Basmati-370 produced higher biomass as well as P uptake Further studies on P efficiency traits of these cultivars such as root morphological and physiological processes may improve our knowledge on P use efficiency in rice (C) 2010 Friends Science Publishers