EFFECT OF POTASSIUM SOURCE, HUMIC ACID AND IRRIGATION WATER SALINITY ON SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL TRAITS, GROWTH AND YIELD OF BROCCOLI

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out in the season 2020-2021 in a field site in AlDora/Baghdad area in a clay mixture under the Type Torrfluvent group, on broccoli plant. Potassium sulfate was formed in three concentrations (0, 60, 120) Kg K ha-1 and irrigated with two types of irrigation water (river and well) under the drip irrigation system. The results showed a significant increase of potassium sources on the leaf area. The treatment of fertilization with potassium sulfate was superior at the second level. (HS2) in the values of leaf area (40.66) cm2. The interaction between potassium sources and salinity of irrigation water was also recorded, and the highest value was recorded when treatment (S1HS2) was (66.86) cm2. A significant decrease in leaf area was recorded with the increase in salinity of irrigation water (S2) (24.08). ) cm2, and the results of the research indicated a significant increase of potassium sources in the percentage of chlorophyll in the leaves. The treatment of fertilization with potassium sulfate at the second level (HS1) was superior to the values of chlorophyll (1.23) mg liter-1. The interaction between potassium sources and salinity of irrigation water was also recorded. The highest value was observed when treatment (S2HS1) was (1.06) mg liter-1, and there was a significant increase in biological yield and economic yield due to potassium sources. The treatment of fertilizing with potassium sulfate at the level (HS) was (1530.5) gm plant-1 and (20.2) ton ha-1 for both biological yield and economic yield, respectively. Also, the interaction between potassium sources and irrigation water salinity recorded the highest value when treatment (S1HS1) and it was (2033) gm plant-1 and (23.8) ton ha-1 for both biological yield and economic yield Respectively and there was a significant increase in the potassium content in the plant due to potassium sources.