Maize (Zea mays L.) and faba bean (Vicia faba L.) have contrasting responses to low phosphorus (P) supply. The aim of this work was to characterise these responses with respect to the partitioning of biomass between shoot and root and biochemical modification of the rhizosphere. Maize and faba bean were grown in rhizoboxes in soil with a low P (10 mg kg^–1) or high P (150 mg kg^–1) supply. Solutions were collected from rhizosphere and bulk soil by suction, using micro-rhizons in situ. The pH and water-soluble P (Pi) were determined on the solutions collected by using micro-rhizons. Olsen P, soil pH and acid phosphatase activity were determined on samples of rhizosphere and bulk soil. Organic acids released from root tips were collected non-destructively and analysed by high performance liquid chromatography. Plants grown with low P supply had higher ratios of root : shoot dry weight than plants grown with high P supply. This response was greater in maize than in faba bean. Rhizosphere acidification, organic acid concentrations and acid phosphatase activity were greater in faba bean than maize. The Pi concentration in the maize rhizosphere solution was less than in the bulk soil, but the Pi concentration in the rhizosphere solution of faba bean was greater than in the bulk soil. It was concluded that maize responded to low P supply by investing more biomass in its root system, but acidification, concentrations of organic acids, acid phosphatase activity and mobilisation of P in the rhizosphere were greater in faba bean than in maize.