Abstract
Fresh-eaten maize (Zea mays L.) is favored by consumers for its unique flavor, good health, and medical effects. Heilongjiang province is a semiarid cold region with the annual output of 3.35 billion ears, and the demand for fresh eaten maize is increasing in the region. Therefore, improving its yield and quality is urgently needed in this area. In this study, two of thirty varieties (waxy maize Jin-262 and sweet maize Jingke-183) were used and five proportions of potassium (K2O, 120 kg/ha) were applied at sowing, jointing, and large trumpet stages to identify the high yield and quality of fresh-eaten maize under a semiarid cold ecological condition in Daqing, Heilongjiang province, China, during 2017-2018. The results from the screening of eighteen maize varieties showed that waxy maize Jin-262 and sweet maize Jingke-183 had higher starch content and soluble sucrose contents than those of other varieties. While the potassium proportions application during the sowing (20%), jointing (40%), and large trumpet stages (40%) had further significantly increased the starch content, soluble sugar content, sucrose content, and sucrose metabolic enzymes activities of Jin-262 and Jingke-183, however, the yields of Jin-262 and Jingke-183 had increased by applying potassium fertilizer during the sowing stages (50%) and jointing stages (50%). Considering the overall higher maize quality, we recommended the waxy maize Jin-262 and sweet maize Jingke-183 varieties along with application of 20% (sowing), 40% (jointing), and 40% (large trumpet stages) of 120 kg/ha potassium fertilizer for the improvement of grain quality of maize planting in the semiarid cold region. Otherwise, reasonable gradual potassium fertilization might be a wiser option.
Highlights
Potassium fertilizer (K) helps the formation and convertion of energy and sugar that the crops need for their development through photosynthesis process [1], which plays a crucial role in improving the quality and yield of crops [2]
Potassium is an essential nutrient for plant growth and activating several enzymes used as a catalyst in promoting the metabolic processes of the crops, which plays an important role in increasing crop yields and plant growth [25, 26]. is is significantly influenced by various K fertilizer levels in different crops [27]; recent research indicates that K fertilization has increased the yield and carbohydrates content in maize [2, 4], sorghum [12], soybean [2], wheat [28], and mung bean [29]
According to Amanullah et al [4], early potassium application resulted in better growth and higher yield than late potassium application; from tasseling to maturity, the potassium absorption rate decreases due to nutrient transport and distribution
Summary
Potassium fertilizer (K) helps the formation and convertion of energy and sugar that the crops need for their development through photosynthesis process [1], which plays a crucial role in improving the quality and yield of crops [2]. Many countries have been actively promoting and applying balanced fertilizer application with the appropriate amounts and proportions of K [3]; balanced crop nutrient management is a key factor for improving crop productivity [4]. Heilongjiang province is a cold and semiarid region in China; imbalanced use of chemical fertilizers is one of the major reasons of low maize productivity under semiarid condition [5]; K application under semiarid climates condition improves crop tolerance to drought stress [6] and improves crop growth and dry matter partitioning and increases yields significantly [7]. Potassium application is beneficial for promoting carbohydrate and nitrogen (N) metabolism; K ions significantly promote the absorption and utilization of N and P by crops in the form of compensation charges, improving the quality of crop products [8, 9]. Effect of K fertilizers on other plants is reported [11] but there are few reports regarding the effect of K fertilizers on gradual application of fresh-eaten maize
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