Foliar Application Of Potassium Research Articles

Effect of Foliar Application of Potassium Fertilizer on Yield, Fruit Quality, and Cold Hardiness of Vitis spp. ‘Chambourcin’

ABSTRACT Temperate regions experiencing sub-zero temperatures negatively impact grapevine yield. Potassium has been claimed as a cryoprotectant to improve cold hardiness in grapevine. This study investigated the effect of foliar application of liquid potassium-based fertilizer, ReaXTM, on cold-hardiness of grapevine Vitis spp. “Chambourcin” along with its effect on yield and fruit quality. The vines were sprayed four to five times between the fruit set and veraison stage at a concentration of 1.5% (v/v) for two consecutive seasons. Petioles were analyzed for nutrients, clusters for yield and fruit quality, and cold hardiness was determined by differential thermal analysis and bud injury assessment. Potassium deficiency was observed in all treatments, and its content did not increase significantly in treated vines. Berry potassium levels and total soluble solids were generally higher in K-treated vines, however, there was no significant effect on yield and other fruit quality traits. Significant differences in cold hardiness levels were observed in both dormant seasons. Foliar application of potassium is a promising cultural practice to increase cold hardiness, but further studies are needed to understand the limits of its effectiveness.

Physicochemical characteristics of pomegranate fruits as affected by foliar application of potassium and zinc

Foliar application of mineral nutrients can considerably improve fruit yield and quality. In this study, the effects of K and Zn application by spraying on leaf mineral contents, and some physical and biochemical characteristics of pomegranate fruits cv. ‘Malas Saveh’ were investigated. The mineral treatments were three concentrations of K2SO4 (0, 1, and 2%) and three concentrations of ZnSO4 (0, 0.5, and 1%). The solutions were applied in 2020–2021 and in four times: the first application was during the time of flowering and rest three applications were applied at two-week intervals. The results showed that leaves of trees fed with different concentrations of K2SO4 and ZnSO4 accumulated higher concentrations of N, P K, Zn, Fe, and Mn than those untreated. Pomegranate trees treated with the mineral treatments had higher chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll. Applying most mineral treatments, especially 2% K2SO4+0.5% ZnSO4, significantly increased the fruit yield, fruit diameter, fruit length, aril percentage, aril/skin, the weight of 100 arils, and juice content of 100 g arils, but reduced the cracking percentage, skin thickness, skin percentage and firmness of fruits. Moreover, fruits of pomegranate trees treated with the most mineral treatments and especially 2% K2SO4+0.5% ZnSO4, showed a greater level of TSS (total soluble solids), TSS/TA (total soluble solids/titratable acidity), anthocyanin, total phenol, flavonoid, antioxidant activity, and vitamin C, and a lower level of TA. The study results evidenced that K and Zn application by spraying has a high potential for improving fruit yield and quality of pomegranate.

Effect of Irrigation, Phosphorous and Potassium Application on Root Traits, Soil Microbial Growth and Physiology of Green Gram

Aims: To manage the implication of irrigation water at different growth stages coupled with basal phosphorus and foliar potassium application targeting to reduce water stress.
 Study Design: Split split-plot design.
 Place and Duration of Study: Agricultural Research Station, Chatabar, Odisha. India, during 2022-2023 cropping season.
 Methodology: Three irrigation treatments in main plots (I1, I2 and I3) - I1 included three irrigations at vegetative, flowering and pod formation periods, I2 skipped one irrigation at pod formation and I3 skipped at flowering. Sub-plot consisted of phosphorus fertilizer treatments (P1, P2 and P3) providing 100, 85 and 115% recommended dose of P. In sub sub-plots- 2% foliar spray of KCl at vegetative and flower initiation periods. The parameters recorded soil moisture depletion, root traits, microbiological parameters, plant physiological parameters and grain yield.
 Results: The depletion of soil moisture increased with crop growth; I3 depleted at a maximum rate (4.5 mm d-1) followed by I2 (4.1 mm d-1). The enhanced availability of root zone soil moisture improved microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and dehydrogenase activity (DHA). The I1 improved the maximum root tips, forks and crossings; while I3 reduced an overall of 131% of the root traits than I1. The crop growth rate (CGR) and leaf area index (LAI) were also improved according to soil moisture availability; however, I2 merely decreased 8 and 13% in CGR and LAI as compared to I1. P3 improved the maximum of the soil microbiology (MBC and DHA), root improvement and plant physiology. I1P3 produced the highest grain yield of 9.06 q ha-1, although, I2P3 produced was just 7% lower than I1P1.
 Conclusion: The application of three irrigation produced maximum grain yield; while the skipping of one irrigation at pod formation stage with 15% higher P application could provide satisfactory yield where availability of irrigation water is limited.

Effect of Foliar Application of Potassium and Zinc Elements on Maize Yield and Grain Nutrient Content Under Water-Deficit Conditions

ABSTRACT The valuable corn plant is affected by complications if faced with water deficit conditions, feeding the plant with potassium and zinc elements at the right time can be a useful solution in creating plant resistance. To scrutinize the effect of time of foliar application of potassium and zinc elements on grain yield and concentration of nutrients in maize seed (variety SC 704) under water deficit conditions, a split-split plot experiment was conducted in the form of a completely randomized block design with three repetitions during two crop years at Ahvaz Agricultural Research Station. Treatment of water deficit conditions in the form of irrigation cutting off in two stages of 12 leaves and beginning of tassel emergence with the control treatment was considered as the main plot and foliar application of potassium element in the growth stages (8 leaves, 8 + 12 leaves and without foliar application(control)) was considered as the sub-plot. Also, foliar application of zinc element in the growth stages (8 leaves, 8 + 12 leaves and without foliar application (control)) was regarded as the sub-sub plot. The highest values of yield (1073.8 gr.m-2) was obtained in optimal irrigation treatment with two stages of potassium and zinc foliar application. The highest concentrations of potassium (1.37%), zinc (37.59 mg.gr-1) and protein (15.23%) were accumulated in the seeds when the irrigation was cut off at the tassel stage along with two stages of potassium and zinc foliar application. Phosphorus (0.41%) with two stages of zinc foliar application increased significantly.

Enhancing the shelf life of Thomson Novel oranges through nutritional and coating treatments

The post-harvest management of oranges is critical in Iran, given their importance as an agricultural commodity and a significant source of income for farmers. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of nutritional treatments and storage coatings on the yield and quality of Thomson Novel oranges in post-harvest conditions. A two-year factorial experiment was conducted in Sari, Mazandaran, Iran, to evaluate the effects of four nutritional treatments and nine storage coatings on the quality parameters of Thomson Novel oranges during post-harvest storage. The quality traits were monitored at 45-day intervals over the course of the study. Based on the results of ANOVA, both the individual effects of nutritional treatments and storage coatings were found to be statistically significant for all measured parameters, including fruit texture firmness, fruit peel thickness, vitamin C, titratable acidity, fruit sugar, fruit pH, and fresh weight. However, the interaction effects of nutritional treatments and storage coatings were only significant for fresh weight. The study found that the foliar application of potassium had a positive effect on post-harvest orange quality, while nylon and Xeda wax were the most effective storage coatings for improving various fruit quality parameters. These findings highlight the importance of using appropriate nutritional treatments and storage coatings to enhance the quality and prolong the shelf life of oranges during storage.

MITIGATION OF WATER DEFICIT STRESS IN WHEAT BY FOLIAR FEEDING OF POTASSIUM

An experiment was conducted at the research field of Crop Physiology and Ecology Department, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), Dinajpur, Bangladesh during November 2021 to March 2022 to investigate the ameliorative effect of foliar application of potassium on wheat under non-irrigated water deficit stress condition, The treatments viz., well water (WW), water deficit stress (WDS) and foliar application of 2.23% K2SO4 under WDS were placed as main plot treatment and two wheat varieties (BARI Gom 28 and BARI Gom 32) were placed as sub plot treatment in split plot design following three replications. The interaction effect of growing conditions and wheat varieties significantly influenced the physiological traits, yield components and yield of wheat. Imposed water deficit stress significantly reduced different physiological traits, yield and yield attributes except proline content of flag leaf of wheat. Foliar application of potassium alleviated the adverse effect of water deficit stress in different degrees and improved the studied traits under stress condition. Foliar application of potassium was found more effective in BARI Gom 28 than that of BARI Gom 32. Foliar potassium increased grain yield by 7.43% and 3.56% in BARI Gom 28 and BARI Gom 32, respectively under water deficit stress condition. It can be concluded that additional foliar feeding of potassium along with recommended potassium could alleviate adverse effect of water deficit stress and improve productivity of wheat under drought environment.

Evaluation of the Efficiency of Foliar Potassium Applications as Drought Mitigation

Evaluation of the Efficiency of Foliar Potassium Applications as Drought Mitigation

Peculiarities of photosynthesis in spelt (Tríticum spélta L.) in the Forest Steppe Zone of Ukraine

UDC 633.111.5:631.547 Zaika, N. V., & Karpuk, L. M.* (2023). Peculiarities of photosynthesis in spelt (Tríticum spélta L.) in the Forest Steppe Zone of Ukraine. Advanced Agritechnologies, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.47414/na.11.1.2023.285496 [In Ukrainian] Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University, 8/1 Soborna square, Bila Tserkva, Kyiv region, 09100, Ukraine, *e‑mail: lesya_karpuk@ukr.net Purpose. To identify the influence of the elements of the cultivation technology on the yield structure of spelt. Methods. The research was carried out in the years 2019–2022 at the experimental field of the Scientific Research Center of Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University (Kyiv region) located in the zone of unstable soil moisture of the Right Bank Forest Steppe of Ukraine. Spelt varieties ‘Zoria Ukrainy’, ‘Europe’, and ‘Atterhauer Dinkel’ were grown with the application of foliar fertilizer potassium humate HK‑17 (400 g/ha) in the earing and milk ripeness stages, and Agriflex Amino growth regulator (200 g/ha) in the earing stage. Results. The best indicators of the 1000-kernel weight were obtained with the foliar application of potassium humate HK-17 in the earing stage repeated in the milk ripeness stage in combination with Agriflex Amino growth regulator in the earing stage. Under such conditions, the 1000-kernel weight of the variety ‘Zoria Ukrainy’ was 68.9 g, ‘Yevropa’ 67.5 g, and ‘Atterhauer Dinkel’ 79.0 g. In terms of the influence of factors on the formation of the number of grains per ear, the highest indicators were obtained in the case of foliar application of humate potassium in the earing stage repeated in the milk ripeness stage. Moreover, for the variety ‘Zoria Ukrainy’, the combination with the treatment of plants with the Agriflex Amino growth stimulator in the earing stage was unimportant: in both treatments, 1000-kernel weight of 1.07 g was obtained. ‘Yevropa’ variety produced 1.09 g of grains per ear and ‘Atterhauer Dinkel’ 0.85 g. Conclusions. The highest seed weight per plant was in the ‘Zoria Ukrainy’ variety: 1.28–1.29 g was provided in the case of foliar application of potassium humate HK-17 in the earing stage repeated in the milk ripeness stage. At the same time, with the combination of humates and growth regulator Agriflex Amino in the earing stage, the weight of grains per plant in the ‘Yevropa’ variety was 1.42 g, and in ‘Atterhauer Dinkel’ 1.36 g, which were the best results of the experiment.

Seed pretreatment and foliar application of potassium confers drought tolerance in green gram

Laboratory and field studies were performed to evaluate the role of potassium as seed priming agent in combination with foliar supply for induction of drought tolerance in green gram. In the laboratory experiment, best priming treatment of potassium (2%) was selected when green gram was exposed to PEG induced drought (-2.0 MPa). Field experiment was carried out to test the performance of screened priming treatment along with sequential supply of potassium under normal irrigation and drought at 40 days after sowing. Drought significantly affected different agronomic and yield traits including plant height, branches plant−1, number of pods plant−1, grains per pod−1, 1000 grains weight, grain yield and biological yield. Seed priming improved different agronomic and yield related traits as compared to non-primed seed except number of grains per pod. Peak values of CGR (11.39 g m−2 day−1) during 45-55 DAS, LAI (2.75) at 45 DAS, Final NAR (17.39 g m−2 day−1), final LAD (86.65 Days), LWR (0.59) at 35 DAS, LAR (283.27 cm2 g−1) at 35 DAS were recorded under drought with hydropriming of seed along with 1% K sequential spray as compared to rest of treatment. Maximum branches per plant (10.33), pods per plant (46.67), grain yield (750.38 kg ha−1), biological yield (1923.54 kg ha−1), relative water contents (75.26%), chlorophyll contents (44.75) and membrane stability index (83.95%) were recorded in with seed hydropriming + 1% K sequential spray. Thus, seed hydropriming along with 1% K sequential spray can be opted to alleviate drought in green gram under field condition.

Growth, Yield and Nutrient Content of Mungbean as Influenced by Foliar Potassium Application and Irrigation Levels

A field experiment was conducted in 2018 to study the response of Summer Mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) to foliar potassic fertilization under different moisture regimes. The experiment was laid out in split plot design by having 16 treatment combinations with 2 irrigation levels in the main plot and 6 foliar potassium sprays in subplots, which were replicated thrice. Results revealed that the growth parameters of mungbean viz., plant height, plant spread, number of leaves/plant, LAI, dry matter accumulation/plant, and grain yield were significantly higher under 0.6 IW/CPE ratio as compared to 0.4 IW/CPE ratio. Nutrient content (N, P and K) was also found higher under 0.6 IW/CPE ratio than 0.4 IW/CPE ratio. Among potassium treatments, foliar application of 1%K through KNO3/KCl at flowering and pod development stage produced significantly higher values of growth parameters viz., plant height, number of leaves and branches/plant and dry matter accumulation/plant at all the stages of growth except at 25 DAS. Foliar application of 1%K through KNO3/KCl at flowering and pod development stage recorded significantly higher grain and straw yield than rest of the treatments. Nutrient content was found higher under foliar application of 1%K through KNO3/KCl at flowering and pod development stage but did not differ significantly.

Morpho-physiological responses of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to foliar applied potassium under different planting geometry

Potassium deficiency is well known worldwide. Potassium deficiency causes many types of abnormalities in both humans and plants. Potassium is an important nutrient for plants. Its deficiency reduces chlorophyll formation, growth, yield and tillering capacity in plants. To evaluate the growth and yield of wheat to various potassium levels under different planting geometry. A field study was managed at Postgraduate Agriculture Research Station Faisalabad during the year 2018-2019. Experiment was comprised of four levels of potassium control, water foliar application, potassium foliar application @ 0.25 g and potassium foliar application @ 0.5 g with three panting geometries (bed sowing, line sowing at 22.50 cm and broadcast). Muriate of potash (25 % K2O) was applied as a potassium source. In all treatments, nitrogen and phosphorus were used @ 150 and 100 kg ha-1 respectively. The experiment was replicated 3 times and was carried out in split plot arrangement, randomizing the potassium levels were in sub plots and planting geometry in main plots. Net plot size was maintained as 6 ft x 6 ft. Potassium was applied at different levels in the different treatments at the time of sowing. All of the potassium (K) phosphorous (P) with half of nitrogen (N) was applied at the time of sowing while remaining amount of N was given with first irrigation. First irrigation was done after 23 days of sowing. Growth and yield data were recorded and analyzed statistically using Fisher analysis of variance techniques and differences among the treatment means were compared using Tuckey’s test at 5% probability level. Results showed that yield-related characteristics such as productive tillers, spikelets per spike, number of grains per spike, significant and maximum grain weight more emergence count (m-2), 1000-grain weight (g), biological yield and grain yield (t ha-l ) was recorded where potassium levels were applied at the rate 0.25% and 0.5% as compare to control and water foliar application, that means foliar application of potassium significantly increase the per acre yield of wheat crop. Planting geometry has also shown a substantial response to growth, yield characteristics and the concentration of grain potassium

Foliar application of potassium and restricted irrigation improved the growth and yield of wheat under rainfed condition of Bhal region

Foliar application of potassium increases the drought tolerance in the wheat crop with restricted irrigation, keeping in the view, a field experiment effect of foliar K application for improving wheat yield and water productivity under restricted irrigation condition was conducted at Agricultural Research station, Anand Agricultural University, Dhandhuka, Bhal region of Gujarat under conserved soil moisture condition with restricted irrigation in the Rabi season of 2021-22 with the objective to reduce moisture stress and to enhance the yield potential of wheat by using potash sprays. Inadequate moisture during the sensitive stages will cause substantial reduction in yield. The experiment was laid out in three replication with nine treatments in split plot design. They are (A). Irrigation levels, I1­: One irrigation at CRI stage, I2: Two Irrigation at CRI and flowering stage, I3: Three irrigation at CRI, late jointing and milking stage. (B). Foliar K application, F1: Control (Water spray), F2: 2% K foliar application at tillering (40-45) and jointing (60-65 DAS), and K3: 4% K foliar application at tillering (40-45) and jointing. The result indicated that due to irrigation management plant height at harvest (70.56 cm), length of ear (7.12), biological yield (7751 kg/ha) and grain yield (3367 kg/ha) was found significant with I3 treatment rest of parameters found non- significant with irrigation levels. Further data indicate from K foliar application, the plant height at harvest (71.51 cm), no of ear head sq. m. (295.44), length of ear (7.17), no, of grain per ear (32.68), test weight (44.03), biological yield (7112 kg/ha) and grain yield (3244 kg/ha) were recorded superior with K3 Treatment (4% K foliar application at tillering (40-45) and jointing) whereas, plant height, no of ear head (sq. m) no, of grain per ear, biological yield and grain yield found at par with F2 treatments Overall, it was observed that the foliar potassium fertilization and restricted irrigation increased the growth, yield attributes and grain yield.

FOLIAR APPLICATION OF POTASSIUM AND GIBBERELLIC ACID (GA3) TO ALLEVIATE DROUGHT STRESS IN WHEAT

To investigate the ameliorative effect of foliar application of potassium and gibberellic acid on wheat to drought stress an experiment was conducted at the research field and laboratory of Crop Physiology and Ecology Department, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), Dinajpur during the period of November 2018 to March 2019. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three replications. Four growing conditions viz. well water (WW), water deficit stress (WDS), foliar application of 2.23% K2SO4 under WDS and foliar application of 300 ppm GA3 under WDS were set up as the main plot treatment and two wheat varieties (Kanchan and BARI Gom-30) were set up as sub plot treatment. Non-irrigated water stress significantly reduced different physiological traits, yield and yield attributes except proline content of flag leaf of wheat, whereas foliar application of potassium and GA3 improved these traits under WDS. Foliar application of potassium improved biological yield (22.04% and 15.16%) and grain yield (3.19% and 2.59%) in Kanchan and BARI Gom-30, respectively, whereas foliar application of GA3 improved biological yield (12.12% and 17.00%) and grain yield (1.47% and 1.18%) in Kanchan and BARI Gom-30, respectively under WDS. Though, foliar application of potassium and GA3 ameliorated the adverse effect of drought on wheat but potassium was found more effective. Therefore, it may be concluded that additional foliar application of potassium along with recommended potassium could improve production of wheat under drought

Influence of N, K, and Seaweed Extract Fertilization on Biomass, Photosynthetic Pigments, and Essential Oil of Thymus vulgaris: Optimization Study by Response Surface Methodology

Nutrient management has a decisive impact on the biomass and essential oil yield of medicinal plants. This study aimed to determine the optimal levels of nitrogen, potassium, and seaweed extract fertilizers to maximize the yield and quality of thyme using the response surface methodology (RSM). The experiment was laid out as a Box-Behnken design with three replications and three experimental factors, including nitrogen (urea) (0, 200, and 400 kg ha−1), and foliar application of potassium (Flourish Sulfopotash) (0, 6, and 12 kg ha−1) and seaweed extract (0, 3, and 6 L ha−1). The generated models were statistically significant for all measured traits except for γ-terpinene and p-cymene. While the influence of N on the amount of photosynthetic pigments followed a quadratic trend, the response of total chlorophyll and carotenoids to increasing potassium was linear. The response of biomass yield to N and seaweed was quadratic and linear, respectively. Potassium application had no significant influence on biomass. Essential oil yield reached its peak value (12 kg ha−1) when N and seaweed were applied at their intermediate levels and with the maximum application rate of potassium. Thymol was identified as the highest essential oil component (46.1%), followed by γ-terpinene (19.2%), p-cymene (14.1%), and carvacrol (5.6%). The optimization results suggested that the application of 162 kg ha−1 urea, 12 kg ha−1 Flourish Sulfopotash, and 4 L ha−1 seaweed extract was sufficient to produce the maximum dry matter (1247 kg ha−1), and more than 11 kg ha−1 of essential oil, with a concentration of 1%. Through optimization, the amounts of thymol and carvacrol were estimated to be as much as 44.2% and 6.2%, respectively. The results of the study suggested that resource optimization through RSM can be used as an efficient method to manage the consumption of fertilizers in thyme production.

Responses of Some Bread Wheat Genotypes (Triticum aestivum L.) For Different Levels of Potassium Oxide Spraying

Salahuddin Governorate (10 km east Tikrit University ) during the winter season 2018-2019 by using a Randomized complete Block Design in a split-plot arrangement with three replications. Potassium foliar application levels (0, 1 and 2%) were in the main plot and 14 genotypes of bread wheat in the sub-plot. Spraying was at two stages: booting and anthesis stage. The characteristics of the study are plant height (cm), flag leaf area (cm2), a number of spikes m2, number of grains per spike, 1000grain weight, grain yield (ton.h-1), and protein percentage in the grains (%). The results revealed a significant difference among potassium levels, genotypes and their interaction. The third concentration of potassium oxide spray was significantly superior to the characteristics of plant height (95.03 cm), flag leaf area (57.50 cm2), the weight of 1000 grains (43.92 gm), grain yield (5.27 ton.h-1), and protein percentage (10.05 %). EBAA 99 genotype was significantly superior by giving the highest average plant height (96.74 cm), flag leaf area (57.76 cm2), and protein percentage (11.65 %). The best interaction treatment was between Ebaa 99 genotype and third concentration of potassium in plant height (101.13 cm), and protein percentage (11.93 %). Hedhab genotype with the second concentration of potassium gives the number of grains (50.93 grain.spike-1) & Boro with the third concentration of potassium gave (49.43 grain.spike-1). The first level (without spraying) scored the lowest averages for all characteristics studied

Effect of Humic Acid and Foliar Application of Potassium on Growth and Yield of Melon

Effect of Humic Acid and Foliar Application of Potassium on Growth and Yield of Melon

Retraction: Foliar application of potassium and moringa leaf extract improves growth, physiology and productivity of kabuli chickpea grown under varying sowing regimes.

Retraction: Foliar application of potassium and moringa leaf extract improves growth, physiology and productivity of kabuli chickpea grown under varying sowing regimes.

Improving the Spike Initiation and Flowering Stage Heat Tolerance in Bread Wheat Through Foliar Application of Potassium

Improving the Spike Initiation and Flowering Stage Heat Tolerance in Bread Wheat Through Foliar Application of Potassium

Pre-harvest potassium foliar application improves yield, vase life and overall postharvest quality of cut gladiolus inflorescences

Gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) is a commercial ornamental plant cultivated for its inflorescences. Improving quality and vase life (VL) of gladiolus inflorescences is an important research topic for both the growers and the sellers. For this reason, we studied the effects of preharvest potassium (K+) foliar application on postharvest physiological and biochemical changes. Our hypothesis was that K+ foliar application could improve preharvest physicochemical responses such as photosynthesis and stomatal conductance and also improve postharvest quality by reducing oxidative damage in cells. In series of pot experiments we studied the effects of 0 %, 1 %, 2 % and 3 % K+ on net CO2 assimilation (As), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration (E), water use efficiency (WUE), soluble sugars (SS), total soluble proteins (TSP), VL and antioxidant activity of gladiolus cv. Manhatten. The results showed that K+ application, especially on inflorescences treated with the highest K+ concentrations, positively affected As and WUE. This resulted in higher SS and TSP by 45 % and 93 %, respectively. Potassium supplementation improved VL and reduced postharvest oxidative stress by enhancing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities. The 3 % K+ treatments increased SOD by up to 107 % and CAT by up to 188 %, compared to the control inflorescences. K+ treatments at 3 % significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contents, by up to 42 % and 57 %, respectively indicating a strong reduction of oxidative stress. We suggest that, K+ supplementation strategies may improve postharvest quality of cut gladiolus inflorescences and extend VL by enhancing antioxidant activity and reduce oxidative stress.

Effect of foliar application of potassium on growth and yield characteristics of three corn genotypes (Zea mays L.)

A field experiment was conducted during the autumn season (2019) at the Research Station of Field Crops Department / College of Agriculture, Tikrit University, to study the effect of spraying potassium on the growth characteristics, yield and its components of the three genotypes of corn (Zea Mays L.). The first factor contained two concentrations of foliar spraying with potassium (2500 and 5000 ppm) and the second factor was three genotypes of corn (DKC6589, DKC6120, and ZP). The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design (R.C.B.D), with three replications. The results showed that foliar spraying with potassium had a significant effect for both levels on the following characteristics: plant height (171.50 cm), leaf area (6157.56 cm2), the weight of 300 grains (104.99 g), and total grain yield (9.134 Mg ha-1) .The genotypes were also significantly affected by the following traits. The genotype (DKC 6120) gave the highest values: Plant height (173.60 cm), leaf area (5992.83 cm2), ear length (18.14 cm), number of days from planting until 50% of tasseling (56.72 days), number of days from planting until 50% of silking (60.54 days), number of rows per ear (15.64 row ear-1), number of seeds per row (27.75), the number of grains in the ear (418.97), the weight of 300 grains (101.50 g), and the total grain yield (9.535 Mg ha-1).