Effect Of Potassium Fertilization Research Articles

PENGARUH PEMUPUKAN FOSFAT DAN KALIUM TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN DAN HASIL GABAH PADI HITAM DI SAWAH TADAH HUJAN

Black rice (Oriza sativa.L) is one of the local varieties that has a high anthocyanin content within the pericarp layer of the seed, which contains nutritions that are important to health. Local black rice seed frequently empty with grain, caused by ineffective manure, especially potassium and phosphate. Utilization of rainfed areas for black rice cultivation can be done with balanced fertilization. This study aims to determine the effect of phosphate and potassium fertilization on the growth and production of black rice grain in rainfed areas. The study used a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) model with two factors, i.e KCl fertilizer factor consisting of four levels namely k0 without treatment, k1 = 20 g / plot, k2 = 40 g / plot, k3 = 60g / plot and the second factor was phosphate consisting of the four levels, i.e p0 without treatment, p1 = 20 g / plot, p2 = 40 g / plot, p3 = 60g / plot. Each treatment was repeated three times so that there were 48 experimental plot units. The results showed that there was an interaction between the treatments on the weight of 1000 grains while the application of potassium fertilizer significantly affected the number of productive tillers, harvested unhusked rice, milled unhusked rice and the weight of 1000 grains. The application of phosphate fertilizer only significantly affected the number of productive tillers with recommended doses 40g / plot because it gives a higher yield compared to the others in the number of 17.95 productive tillers Keywords: Black Rice, Potassium, Phosphate.

Effect of Nano Phosphorus and Potassium Fertilizers on Productivity and Mineral Content of Broad Bean in North Sinai

A field experiment was carried out in winter season 2019 using broad bean. This study is to evaluate the effect of P and K as Nano fertilizes as foliar application at rate 0, 250 and 500 ppm for P, and 0, 150 and 300 ppm of K on thegrowth and the productivity of broad bean grown in sandy soil at Baloza Station-North Sinai of the Desert Research Center, Egypt, located at 31 3ʹ 0 N32 36ʹ 0 E. The treatments (P) and (K) were added as foliar spray after 25, 50 and 75 (DFS). Results indicated that the yield components of broad bean were improved with increasing P application. The K application took the same behavior of P where the spraying 500 and 300 ppm of P and K respectively, showed the higher effect on the yield parameters than the other levels. The nutrients concentration increased with increasing rates application of P and K which gave higher values than control treatment. Also N, P and K uptake had the same behavior as nutrients concentration where they affected significantly by spraying plants with P and K. The most efficient treatment was found when using the third rate of both nano P and K fertilizers which achieved 2.457, 1.470 and 3.927 ton fed-1 of straw, seeds and biological yield of broad bean, respectively. With increasing foliar application nano fertilizes of P and K single or in combination slightly increased the amount of N, P and K in soil after harvesting.

Effect of Potassium Fertilization on Growth and Yield Attributes of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Crop in an Inceptisol

A pot experiment was designed for two consecutive years of (2018 and 2019) to investigate the effect of optimal use of potassium fertilizer by applying at different rates 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mg K kg-1 10 kg pot-1 soil. Rice cv. HUR-36 (Malaviya Dhan-36)] crop was transplanted by maintaining four seedlings in each pot and potassium fertilization effect on plant growth and yield attributes of rice was recorded. The experiment was carried out in completely randomized design (CRD) with seven treatments viz., T1: absolute control (0:0:0), T2: 60:30:0 mg kg-1, T3: 60:30:10 mg kg-1, T4: 60:30:20 mg kg-1, T5: 60:30:30 mg kg-1, T6: 60:30:40 mg kg-1 and T6: 60:30:50 mg kg-1 corresponding to 120, 60, 60 (N:P2O5: K2O) kg ha-1. The experiment was conducted in triplicate. The data pertaining to experiment revealed that plant height, effective no. of tillers, chlorophyll content and grain and straw yield were significantly increased as the scheduled rates of potassium fertilizer application increases. In treatment T5 receiving 60:30:30 mg kg-1, potassium was general recommendation but due to intensive cropping of rice, mining of K was noticed. Therefore, increased dose of potassium should be recommended to maintain the replenishment of K in soil system and other side benefit cost ratio should not affect negatively. The treatment received extra doses of T6 to T7 (60:30:50 mg kg-1) showed highest growth in plant and yield of rice but in steady state which is not beneficial economically. Hence, in T7 benefit cost ratio will be poor. In the present experiment, T6 maintains all fulfillment of K whether in plant or soil system.

Effect of potassium fertilizers associated with cold storage on peach (Prunus persica L.) quality

Potassium (K) fertilization may affect peach quality and preservation. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of doses of K on physico-chemical and functional characteristics of ‘Sensação’ peaches in the postharvest period. Mass loss, pulp color, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, pulp and skin firmness, total concentrations of phenolic compounds and carotenoids and antioxidant activity were evaluated in fruits. The experiment was a randomized block design in a 5x3 factorial scheme, five doses of fertilizers (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 Kg ha-1 K2O) and three storage periods (harvest day, 10 days and 20 days in cold storage at 1±1ºC, followed by a day of simulated commercialization at 20±1ºC). Mass loss, pulp firmness, phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity and carotenoids decreased when fruit underwent cold storage, independent of the dosage of K fertilization. Doses of 40 and 160 kg ha-1 K2O applied to the soil lead to a larger number of phenolic compounds and higher antioxidant activity in fruits at harvest time. After cold storage, fertilization with 160 kg ha-1 K2O exhibited the highest antioxidant activity and the lowest mass loss in fruits. Increase in doses of K strengthened the color of peach pulp

Effect of potassium fertilization during fruit development on tomato quality, potassium uptake, water and potassium use efficiency under deficit irrigation regime

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of potassium (K) fertilization on tomato quality, plant K uptake, water and K use efficiency (WUE and KUE) under deficit irrigation regime. During fruit development stage of the first cluster of fruit, irrigation regimes were comprised of three levels, i.e. 80–90% field capacity (θf) (W1), 70–80% θf (W2) and 60–70% θf (W3); and K fertilization rates were also consisted of three different rates, i.e. 0 g K2O kg−1 soil (K1), 0.46 g K2O kg−1 soil (K2) and 0.92 g K2O kg−1 soil (K3). The result showed that deficit irrigation as well as increased K fertilization significantly improved quality of fruit where, soluble sugar, titratable acid and content of vitamin C were positively correlated to K concentration of leaf ([K]leaf), indicating that [K]leaf may have a role to improve fruit quality. The highest plant WUE was observed in W1 plants, which consumed the most water and produced the highest dry mass. K fertilization had no effect on WUE based on biomass, but had positive effect on K concentration and K accumulation in each tissue, hereby increased total K uptake, while decreased KUE.

Shoot Pruning and Potassium Application Effect on Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus L.) Seeds Production and Quality

In order to determine the effect of shoot pruning and potassium fertilization on the production and quality of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L) seeds, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications was carried out in Arjasa Village, Jember regency, East Java, Indonesia, in 2018. The first factor is shoot pruning which consists of 4 levels i.e. of 6th internode, 8th internode, 10th internode, and 12th internode shoot pruning. The second factor is the potassium fertilization in three levels i.e. 100 kg ha-1, 200 kg ha-1, 300 kg ha-1. Production and quality of seed cucumber was assessed based on fruit weight, number of grain per fruit, percentage of filled grain, 1000 grains weight, seed viability and vigor. The results indicated that was significant different on interactions of two factors effect on physiological ripe fruit weight, grain number and percentage of filled grain. The 8th internode pruning gives best result on physiological ripe fruit weight, seed viability and vigor. Application of potassium at a dose of 300 kgha-1 gives the best results on fruit weight, 1000 grain weight and percentage of filled grain.

Effect of supplemental irrigation timing and potassium fertilizer on rain-fed fig in micro-catchment: yield and yield quality

In this study, the effect of supplemental irrigation timing (treatments included no supplemental irrigation; supplemental irrigation in middle of March; supplemental irrigation in early May; supplemental irrigation in early August; and two supplemental irrigation events in middle of March and early May) and potassium (K) application (treatments included no-fertilizer; 150 and 250 g fertilizer per tree applied by fertigation method and no-fertilizer; 1.5 and 3.0 kg fertilizer per 1000 L water used by foliar application) on yield and yield quality of rain-fed fig trees were studied at the Estahban fig orchards in Fars province, Iran, through a three-year experiment. Results showed that supplemental irrigation for fig resulted in an increase in yield and fruit size, and improved the fruit peel color. However, it decreased total soluble solid of fruit. For one irrigation during the growing season, irrigation in late winter (March) with 1250 L of applied water per tree was better than irrigation in spring (May) with a similar amount applied water which was used as the supplemental irrigation of rain-fed fig trees under severe drought conditions. Two irrigation in March and May with 1500 L and 1250 L of applied water per tree for each event for the first year and two subsequent years, respectively, was more effective on the yield and fruit quality than single irrigation due to higher applied irrigation water. Using 150 g K per tree by fertigation method or 3.0 kg/1000L foliar K fertilizer resulted in significant effect on the yield and yield quality of fig and improved them.

English

Secondary metabolites are bioactive compounds which are synthesized naturally in all plant parts. The quality and quantity of secondary metabolites produced by plants differ depending on the plant and environmental conditions under which they are produced. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium (NPK) fertilizer (17:17:17) rates (0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 kg ha-1) on the production of secondary metabolites in field and greenhouse grown pepino melons (Solanum muricatum Aiton). The experimental design was randomized complete block design with five NPK fertilizer treatments replicated three times. Results indicated that an increase in NPK fertilizer rate led to an increase of carotenoids (lutein, lycopene and β-carotene) up to a maximum at 200 kg NPK ha-1 after which the contents decreased in both growing environments and trials. The control (no fertilizer application) favored the accumulation of total phenolic content (TPC) in both growing environments and trials. Greenhouse grown pepino melon fruits which were not supplied with fertilizer (control) had a TPC content of 174.3 and 145.5 mg GAE 100g-1 fresh weight (FW) in trial one and two, respectively. Fertilizers could not enhance production of TPC in pepino melon fruits and application of 200 kg NPK ha-1 is recommended for maximum accumulation of carotenoids (lycopene, lutein and β-carotene).  Key words: Secondary metabolites, NPK fertilizer, greenhouse, field, pepino.

Effects of straw incorporation and potassium fertilizer on crop yields, soil organic carbon, and active carbon in the rice–wheat system

Active soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions play a key role in agricultural soil fertility. However, the effects of potassium application and straw incorporation on SOC and active SOC fractions as well as the relationships among these factors in a rice–wheat system are less well-studied. Hence, the objective of this study was to analyse the effects of potassium fertilization and straw incorporation on SOC sequestration, active carbon fractions, and crop yields in a long-term (6 years) field experiment. Four treatments were examined: no addition of potassium fertilizer and straw (CK), straw incorporation only (SI), potassium-fertilizer application only (K), and straw incorporation plus a recommended amount of potassium fertilizer (SI + K). SOC, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), light fraction organic carbon (LFOC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), easily oxidizable carbon (EOC), crop yields, and the carbon pool management index (CMI) were determined. After 6 years, SOC content and labile C fractions in the SI treatment increased significantly, by 7.95–25.0 % and 23.6–185 %, respectively, compared to the CK treatment. Significant and positive correlations were observed between SOC, DOC, LFOC, MBC, EOC, and the CMI (r = 0.449–0.899, P < 0.01). Among the five C fractions, LFOC, DOC, and EOC were the most sensitive indicators of changes in SOC induced by incorporating straw with or without potassium fertilizer. The highest SOC contents and labile C fractions were observed in the SI + K treatment. Rice yields increased from 8.55 and 7.59 t ha−1 in the CK plots to 9.56 and 8.54 t ha−1 with SI + K at Guangde (GD) and Jiangyan (JY) sites, respectively. Wheat yields increased from 0.53 and 5.33 t ha−1 in the CK plots to 5.86 and 6.43 t ha−1 with SI + K at GD and JY sites, respectively. Overall, based on crop yields and C storage, straw incorporation in combination with a moderate amount of potassium fertilizer appears to be the best practice for improving soil fertility and productivity in the rice-wheat cropping system.

Effect of Drought Stress and Different Levels of Nitrogen and Potassium Fertilizers on the Accumulation of Osmolytes and Chlorophyll in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Management of plant nutrition using fertilizers is an approach to deal with drought and to increase water productivity in paddies. The aim of this study, therefore, was to investigate the effects of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers and drought stress on water use efficiency (WUE) and physiological traits of Gilaneh rice in split-plot experiments based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Experimental treatments were irrigation intervals (flood irrigation and irrigation at 10 days) as the main factor and different levels of nitrogen (0, 60, and 120 kg ha−1) and potassium (0, 80 and 160 kg ha−1) fertilizers as a subfactor. Results showed that WUE and proline content increased by changing the moisture regime from flood irrigation to 10 days in all levels of fertilizers. The highest WUE (0.764 kg m−3) was observed in the treatment of N fertilizer of 60 kg ha−1 with 160 kg ha−1 of K fertilizer in the 10-day irrigation. The highest plant proline content (16.3 mg g−1 FW) was observed in 160 kg ha−1 of K fertilizer during 10-day irrigation. On the other hand, relative water content, chlorophyll a and b contents, carotenoids, maximum leaf area, and leaf area duration decreased with drought stress at all fertilizer levels. At the stress level, however, the application of fertilizers, in particular N fertilizer treatment, led to improvements in these traits. Given the scarcity of water resources in the country, therefore, WUE and other inputs can be improved in such strategic crops as rice with proper management of plant nutrition.

Leaf mineral composition and noni fruit production under vegetal mulching and potassium fertilization

In the last 10 years, there has been an increasing demand for noni products, which has aroused interest for its cultivation and commercialization in several consumer markets in Brazil. In relation to this, studies on the nutritional requirements mineral and agronomical practices for noni production have been carried out. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of potassium fertilization and soil mulching with residue of Brachiaria grass (Brachiaria decumbens (Stapf)) on the nutritional and production aspects of noni crops. The study was conducted from July 2012 to November 2013 at the Agriculture Sector of the Center for Human, Social, and Agrarian Sciences, Federal University of Paraíba, Bananeiras county, Brazil. The experiment was carried out in a 2 × 5 factorial arrangement, with five potassium chloride levels of 0.0, 13.2, 37.5, 61.5, and 69.6 g per plant, applied in the soil with and without mulching using residues of B. decumbens. The fruit production and plant nutritional status with respect to P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe and Zn of noni crop were positively affected by soil mulching and KCl fertilization. The highest fruit yield was obtained in plants grown with 69.6 g of KCl per plant combined with soil mulching using B. decumbens grass residue.

The Effects of Potassium Fertilization and Irrigation on the Yield and Health Status of Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.)

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of potassium fertilization (applied to soil at 150, 250, and 350 kg K2O ha−1) and irrigation on the yield (fresh matter yield and dry matter yield of above-ground biomass and tubers) and the health status of tubers and leaves of three Jerusalem artichoke—JA (Helianthus tuberosus L.) cultivars (Topstar, Violette de Rennes, Waldspindel). The Topstar cultivar was characterized by the highest total tuber yield (60.53 Mg FM ha−1) and the highest above-ground biomass yield (65.74 Mg FM ha−1). An increase in the rate of potassium fertilizer to 350 kg K2O ha−1 did not affect total tuber yields. The greatest increase in above-ground biomass yields was observed in response to the potassium fertilizer rate of 150 kg K2O ha −1 (64.40 Mg FM ha−1). Irrigation increased tuber yields by 59% and above-ground biomass yields by 42% on average. Phytopathological analyses revealed that JA leaves were most frequently colonized by fungi of the genera Alternaria, Fusarium, and Epicoccum. Alternaria and Fusarium fungi were more prevalent in non-irrigated than in irrigated plots. A higher number of fungal pathogens was isolated from the leaves of cv. Violette de Rennes grown in a non-irrigated plot fertilized with 250 kg K2O ha−1. Tubers were most heavily colonized by fungi of the genera Penicillium, Fusarium, Alternaria, Botrytis, and Rhizopus. Fungal species of the genus Fusarium were isolated from tubers in all irrigated treatments, and they were less frequently identified in non-irrigated plots. Only the tubers of cv. Topstar grown in non-irrigated plots and supplied with 150 kg K2O ha−1 were free of Fusarium fungi. The number of cultures of pathogenic species isolated from Jerusalem artichoke tubers had a minor negative impact on fresh and dry matter yield.

Micronutrients Concentrations in Leaves of Oil Palm Trees Fertilized with Phosphorus, Potassium, and Magnesium

The management of micronutrients in oil palm trees in the Brazilian Amazon is still underdeveloped; thus, information on plant demands and their interactions with other nutrients is required to create adequate management procedures. The objective this work was to evaluate the effects of phosphate, potassium, and magnesium fertilization on micronutrient concentrations in leaves of oil palm trees. The experiment was carried out in the Brazilian Amazon in a randomized block design in a 4 x 2 x 3 x 2 factorial scheme, using four phosphorus levels, two phosphorus sources (natural phosphate and triple superphosphate), three potassium levels and two magnesium levels. Phosphate fertilization increased the concentrations of boron, chlorine, and iron in leaves, while copper and manganese concentrations in leaves decreased with increased doses of phosphorus. Among the phosphorus sources, triple superphosphate provided higher chlorine concentrations in leaves. Potassium fertilization increased only chlorine concentrations in leaves, while magnesium supply did not alter micronutrient concentrations in leaves. Thus, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are essential to provide adequate micronutrient concentrations in leaves of oil palm trees.

Effect of Potassium Fertilizer Rate on Growth, Yield and Yield Related Parameters of ‘Irish Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) at Bale Highlands

Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) is one of the most important food security and cash crops in Ethiopia. However, its productivity is generally low. The low yields of the crop could be attributed to a number of factors among which low soil fertility is an important constraint and there is little information on the type and rates of fertilizers to be applied for optimum production of the crop under different agro-ecological conditions of the country. Therefore, an on-farm experiment was conducted at Dinsho and Sinja, south-eastern Ethiopia, to assess the effect of potassium fertilizer rate on yield and yield related parameters of ‘Irish potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) at Bale Highlands. Factorial combinations of two potato varieties (Ararsa and Moti) and five rates of potassium fertilizer (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 kg K ha-1) were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Analysis of variance showed that the main effects of potassium fertilizer significantly influenced (days to 50% flowering, plant height, number of tuber per plant, number of marketable tuber per plot, marketable tuber yield and total tuber yield) had highly significant (P &lt; 0.01) while non-significant for days to 90% maturity, number of unmarketable tuber per plant and unmarketable tuber yield. An improved varieties Ararsa and Moti were produce the highest marketable tuber yields of 21.23 t ha-1 and 19.50 t ha-1 respectively, with application of 100 kg KCl ha-1 and with the application of recommended rate of NP fertilizer while the lowest marketable yields of 15.01 t ha-1 and 14.96 t ha-1 from Ararsa and Moti Varieties, respectively, were obtained from unfertilized KCl fertilizers treatment, respectively. The economic analysis revealed that the highest net return of (187170 and 169620 ETB ha-1) with marginal rate of return (4764.29 and 1185.71%) were recorded for varieties of Ararsa and Moti respectively, at 100 kg KCl ha-1. Therefore, it can tentatively be concluded that application of 100kg KCl ha-1 and recommended rate of NP fertilizer best to optimum tuber production and economic returns for potato at Bale Highlands.

Effect of Potassium Fertilization and Foliar application of Compound Fertilizer on Growth, Yield and Root Quality of Beetroot under Clay Soil conditions

Effect of Potassium Fertilization and Foliar application of Compound Fertilizer on Growth, Yield and Root Quality of Beetroot under Clay Soil conditions

Combined Application of Inoculant, Phosphorus and Potassium Enhances Cowpea Yield in Savanna Soils

Low soil phosphorus levels in savanna soils of Ghana limit cowpea response to inoculation. A two-year experiment was carried out on 2 soil types of the Guinea and Sudan savanna zones of Ghana based on the hypothesis that Bradyrhizobia inoculant (BR3267) in combination with phosphorus and potassium fertilizer will significantly increase cowpea root nodulation, growth and yield. The study aimed to determine the effect of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer on cowpea response to Bradyrhizobia inoculant. The treatments were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design, replicated four times. The plot size was 8 × 3 m, with the sowing distance of 60 × 20 cm. The treatment comprises of commercial Bradyrhizobia inoculant, phosphorus (0, 30, 40 kg P2O5 ha−1) and potassium (0, 10, 20, 30 K2O ha−1). Application of Bradyrhizobia inoculant with 30 kg P2O5 ha−1 and 20 kg K2O ha−1 gave the highest grain yield (1.68 and 1.86 tons ha−1) at both soils which did not differ from the yield obtained from BR-40-30 kg ha−1 P2O5 and K2O ha−1 on the Ferric Lixisol and BR-40-20 kg ha−1 P2O5 and K2O on the Ferric Luvisol. The same treatment also gave the highest nodule number and nodule dry weight. The results of this study have shown that the application of Bradyrhizobia inoculant followed by P and K fertilizer was effective for cowpea growth in field conditions.

Effects of potassium fertilization on crops yield, potassium uptake, and soil potassium fertility in rice-oilseed rape cropping systems

ABSTRACT To determine the impact of K fertilization on crop yields and soil K supplying capacity in rice (Oryza sativa L.) and oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) rotation, four field experiments were conducted with five K fertilizer rates: 0 (K0), 90–147 (K1), 180–210 (K2), 270–300 (K3) and 336–390 (K4) kg K2O ha−1 per rotation. Compared with K0, adding K increased the yield of rice and oilseed rape by 4.2–8.9% and 7.5–32.6%, respectively. Potassium fertilization increased K uptake at four sites, whereas yields remained stagnant in K2, K3, and K4 treatments despite increasing K uptake. Continuous K removal decreased soil K supplying capacity. For the 0 to 20 cm and 20 to 40 cm soil depths, the NH4OAc-K and boiling HNO3-K at the harvest were decreased in K0 and K1 treatments, whereas it maintained or increased in K2, K3, and K4 treatments, although negative K balances were recorded at all sites. It suggests that application 180–210 kg K2O ha–1 in rice-oilseed rape cropping systems improved crop yield and maintained soil potassium fertility.

Effect of Zeolite, Potassium Fertilizer and Irrigation Interval on Yield and Quality of Sugar Beet in Sandy Soil

Two field experiments were carried out at Al-Hussein Agricultural Society Farm, Giza Governorate, Egypt, during 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 growing seasons to study the effect of three irrigation intervals [every 3 days (the conventional practice), 5 and 7 days], two levels of zeolite (zero and 500 kg/fed) and four levels of potassium fertilizer the first one in the form of potassium sulphate as a control [100% of the recommended K-dose], which was applied to the soil and three foliar doses of nano- potassium (500, 1000 and 1500 mg /l) on yield and quality of sugar beet grown under drip irrigation system in a sandy soil. The treatments were arranged in a complete block design in a split-split plot with three replications. Results revealed that increasing irrigation interval from 3 up to 7 days significantly reduced biochemical and physiological traits and root and sugar yields/fed. Soil application of zeolite achieved the highest values of all the parameters studied as compared to the untreated soil. Spraying beets with 1500 mg /l of nano-K gave the same trend of the recommended K-dose. Water use efficiency (WUE) for sugar yield increased with decreasing the amounts of applied irrigation water. Under conditions of the present work, adding 500 kg of zeolite/fed to the sandy soil, spraying beets with 1500 mg l-1 as nano-K fertilizer and irrigating the crop every 5 days using drip irrigation can be recommended to get the highest root and sugar yields as well as to save water and increasing water use efficiency.

Effect of Potassium Fertilizer, Solubilizing Bacteria and Sulphur on Yield, Bulb Quality, Storability and Black Mould Disease of Onion

Effect of Potassium Fertilizer, Solubilizing Bacteria and Sulphur on Yield, Bulb Quality, Storability and Black Mould Disease of Onion

The Effect of Potassium and Micronutrient Foliar Fertilisation on the Content and Accumulation of Microelements, Yield and Quality Parameters of Potato Tubers

The objective of this three-year study was to evaluate the effect of foliar application of dedusted potassium sulphate and chelated forms of microelements on the contents and accumulation of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) as well as on the quality parameters of potato tubers at the stage of full maturity. Four treatments were analysed, including the control, where only nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilisation was applied. Consistent with the experimental design adopted, other trials included: (I) Double foliar treatment with potassium sulphate in the combined dose of 8.6 K kg ha−1 (SOP); (II) double foliar treatment with micronutrients: 12 g Zn ha−1, 12 g Cu ha−1, 300 g Mn ha−1 and 500 g B ha−1 (Micro) and (III) combined application of SOP and Micro on two scheduled terms (SOP + Micro). Two potato varieties were tested: The French fries variety Zorba and the crisps variety Hermes. The experiment was arranged in a randomised complete block design with four replicates for each potato variety. Both the two-fold foliar spray with micronutrients and the treatment combined with the application of potassium sulphate resulted in the enhanced content and accumulation of the elements examined. The significant effect of the experimental factor was especially visible for the content and uptake of manganese and iron. Moreover, a highly significant relationship was determined between the tuber contents of protein and starch. The tuber quality parameters were most significantly conditioned by manganese and iron for the French fries variety and by zinc, copper and manganese for the crisps variety.