Foliar Potassium Concentrations Research Articles

Rice resistance against Bipolaris oryzae infection is mediated by lower foliar potassium concentration

AbstractBrown spot, caused by Bipolaris oryzae, is a very important disease of rice. This study investigated the effect of potassium (K) on rice resistance to brown spot. The working hypothesis tested was that higher foliar K concentration could allow plants to respond more efficiently against fungal infection. Plants were grown in nutrient solution amended with three K rates (0.5, 1.0 and 2.5 mM) and noninoculated or inoculated with B. oryzae. The photosynthetic performance of plants, activities of defence and antioxidant enzymes and the concentrations of reactive oxygen species, phenolics and lignin were determined. Foliar K concentration was significantly higher by 38% and 91% for plants supplied with 1.0 and 2.5 mM K, respectively, compared to plants supplied with 0.5 mM K. Brown spot severity was significantly higher (≥20%) for plants supplied with 1.0 and 2.5 mM K than those supplied with 0.5 mM K (≤15%). Higher brown spot severity for plants supplied with 2.5 mM K resulted in changes in the photosynthetic apparatus, reduced chlorophyll a + b and carotenoids concentrations, and higher production of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion radical. In contrast, higher activities of defence and antioxidant enzymes and more production of phenolics for plants supplied with 0.5 mM K helped them to cope with B. oryzae infection more efficiently. In conclusion, rice resistance against brown spot was achieved by keeping a lower foliar K concentration linked to more active defence reactions, a robust antioxidative system and less damage to the photosynthetic apparatus.

Hyperspectral Imaging of Adaxial and Abaxial Leaf Surfaces for Rapid Assessment of Foliar Nutrient Concentrations in Hass Avocado

Rapid assessment tools are required for monitoring crop nutrient status and managing fertiliser applications in real time. Hyperspectral imaging has emerged as a promising assessment tool to manage crop nutrition. This study aimed to determine the potential of hyperspectral imaging for predicting foliar nutrient concentrations in avocado trees and establish whether imaging different sides of the leaves affects prediction accuracy. Hyperspectral images (400–1000 nm) were taken of both surfaces of leaves collected from Hass avocado trees 0, 6, 10 and 28 weeks after peak anthesis. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were developed to predict mineral nutrient concentrations using images from (a) abaxial surfaces, (b) adaxial surfaces and (c) combined images of both leaf surfaces. Modelling successfully predicted foliar nitrogen (RP2 = 0.60, RPD = 1.61), phosphorus (RP2 = 0.71, RPD = 1.90), aluminium (RP2 = 0.88, RPD = 2.91), boron (RP2 = 0.63, RPD = 1.67), calcium (RP2 = 0.88, RPD = 2.86), copper (RP2 = 0.86, RPD = 2.76), iron (RP2 = 0.81, RPD = 2.34), magnesium (RP2 = 0.87, RPD = 2.81), manganese (RP2 = 0.87, RPD = 2.76) and zinc (RP2 = 0.79, RPD = 2.21) concentrations from either the abaxial or adaxial surface. Foliar potassium concentrations were predicted successfully only from the adaxial surface (RP2 = 0.56, RPD = 1.54). Foliar sodium concentrations were predicted successfully (RP2 = 0.59, RPD = 1.58) only from the combined images of both surfaces. In conclusion, hyperspectral imaging showed great potential as a rapid assessment tool for monitoring the crop nutrition status of avocado trees, with adaxial surfaces being the most useful for predicting foliar nutrient concentrations.

Leaf antioxidant machinery stimulation by Meloidogyne javanica infestation: A case study on Cucumis melo seedlings

Following nematode infestation, leaf-localized responses are vital not only as early infection signs but also as an indication of actions required to preserve crop productivity. In this context, the leaf-level physiological responses of cantaloupe seedlings were evaluated after 40 consecutive days of cultivation under different Meloidogyne javanica juveniles (J2s) inoculation regimes (0, 100, and 850 J2s plant−1). Leaf growth parameters and photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll, carotenoids) content were not affected by J2s infestation, while foliar Potassium concentration significantly declined. The RuBIsCo activase gene expression was negatively associated with the J2s inoculation level. Total flavonoids, total phenolics, lipid peroxidation indexes, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity, as well as, ascorbate peroxidase gene transcription, were higher in the inoculated plants (regardless of the J2s inoculant level). Taken together, present data indicate that J2s infestation impacts primarily the Potassium levels in leaves. Additionally, a substantial stimulation of the plant antioxidant machinery (independent of the nematode infestation intensity) is triggered. Finally, it was established that the transcriptional regulation of the RuBIsCo activase 1 gene under biotic stress has the capacity to be employed as a potential stress indicator marker.

Improving Grain Productivity and Quality Criteria of Broadcasted Giza 179 Rice Variety Via different Potassium Treatments

Field experiments were conducted in the 2018 and 2019 seasons at the Experimental Farm of Sakha Agriculture Research Station, Kafr-ELSheikh, and laboratory experiments conducted at Seed Technology Department, Field Crops Research Institute A.R.C. Giza, Egypt. The study aimed to evaluate the influence of different potassium application methods as follow, control treatment (no potassium application), 50 Kg K2O/ha as one basal batch and two splits, ½ as basal and ½ at 25 days after sowing and foliar potassium concentrations (0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 % K2O) on Giza 179 rice variety. Twelve combinations were performed in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Yield attributes and grain yield, as well as grain quality charcteristics which involved grain dimension, milling recovery charcteristics, amylose content (AC), gel consistency (GC), gelatinization temperature (GT), and kernel elongation, were estimated. The findings revealed that splitting potassium fertilizer plus applying foliar application at the rate of 1.0 % lead to preferable yield attributes outcome, outstripped grain yield by 12.63 and 11.93 %, and ameliorated both of head rice percentage by 9.87 and 8.29 %, AC content by 4.19 and 4.02 % and decreased GC by 0.59 and 0.88 %, respectively in both seasons compared with one batch basal application. Using splitting potassium application plus foliar spray at 1.0 % K2O can apply to Giza 179 rice variety to optimize both of grain quantity and quality outcomes. Influence of different potassium treatments exhibited a significant effect on Seed Technology characteristics results.

Influence of phosphorus limitations on the growth, nutrient partitioning and physiology of mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King) seedlings

ABSTRACTThe effects of four rates of phosphorus (P) fertilization (0, 0.56, 5.6 and 56.0 mg l−1) in soilless medium on the growth and physiology of mahogany seedlings were examined. The greatest response occurred at the 56 mg l−1 rate, with relatively small differences between other treatments. Biometric parameters increased at the 56 mg l−1 compared to 0 mg l−1 rate except root dry mass. Both the concentration and the total content of P and Kjeldahl nitrogen (N) increased in leaves, stems and roots with P application rate. Foliar concentrations of potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn) and sulfur (S) declined, and boron (B) and copper (Cu) increased with P limitations; zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) were unaffected. Physiological adaptations of mahogany to P limitations include the preferential allocation of carbon (C) to plant roots, and increases in P utilization efficiency, P acquisition efficiency and the concentration of organic acids in xylem fluid. Root phosphatase activity was not influenced by P fertilization.

Nutrient status: a missing factor in phenological and pollen research?

Phenology ranks among the best ecosystem processes for fingerprinting climate change since temperature explains a high percentage of the interannual or spatial variation in phenological onset dates. However, roles of other environmental variables, such as foliar nutrient concentrations, are far from adequately understood. This observational study examined the effects of air temperature and 11 nutrients on spring phenology of Betula pendula Roth (birch) along an urban–rural gradient in Munich, Germany, during the years 2010/2011. Moreover, the influence of temperature, nutrients, and air pollutants (NO2 and O3) on the amounts of pollen and catkin biomass in 2010 was evaluated. In addition to the influence of higher temperatures advancing phenological onset dates, higher foliar concentrations of potassium, boron, zinc, and calcium were statistically significantly linked to earlier onset dates. Since flushing of leaves is a turgor-driven process and all the influential nutrients are involved in cell extension, membrane function, and stability, there might be a reasonable physiological interpretation of the observed association. The amounts of pollen were negatively correlated with temperature, atmospheric NO2, and foliar iron concentration, suggesting that these variables restrict pollen production. The results of this study suggested an influence of nutritional status on both phenology and pollen production. The interaction of urbanization and climate change should be considered in the assessment of the impact of global warming on ecosystems and human health.

Differential effects of Pseudomonas mendocina and Glomus intraradices on lettuce plants physiological response and aquaporin PIP2 gene expression under elevated atmospheric CO2 and drought.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis and plant-growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) can alleviate the effects of water stress in plants, but it is unknown whether these benefits can be maintained at elevated CO2. Therefore, we carried out a study where seedlings of Lactuca sativa were inoculated with the AM fungus (AMF) Glomus intraradices N.C. Schenk & G.S. Sm. or the PGPR Pseudomonas mendocina Palleroni and subjected to two levels of watering and two levels of atmospheric CO2 to ascertain their effects on plant physiological parameters and gene expression of one PIP aquaporin in roots. The inoculation with PGPR produced the greatest growth in lettuce plants under all assayed treatments as well as the highest foliar potassium concentration and leaf relative water content under elevated [CO2] and drought. However, under such conditions, the PIP2 gene expression remained almost unchanged. G. intraradices increased significantly the AMF colonization, foliar phosphorus concentration and leaf relative water content in plants grown under drought and elevated [CO2]. Under drought and elevated [CO2], the plants inoculated with G. intraradices showed enhanced expression of the PIP2 gene as compared to P. mendocina or control plants. Our results suggest that both microbial inoculation treatments could help to alleviate drought at elevated [CO2]. However, the PIP2 gene expression was increased only by the AMF but not by the PGPR under these conditions.

Foliar potassium concentrations of bilberry, bog bilberry and downy birch as indicators of potassium nutrition of Scots pine on a drained peatland

Leaves of bilberry (V. myrtillus), bog bilberry (V. uliginosum) and downy birch (B. pubescens) were collected five times during a growing season from 18 plots in a drainage area, and needles of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) once during the following winter from the same plots at Parkano, southern Finland. The aim was to study the potassium nutrition of the test plants and relationships between the foliar potassium concentrations of Scots pine and of the test plants. The estimation of the potassium nutrition of test plants was based on the accumulation of putrescine in foliage. Apart from single observations, elevated putrescine concentrations were found when the potassium concentrations were < 5 mg g–1 in bilberry, < 4 mg g–1 in bog bilberry and < 6 mg g–1 in downy birch, and the highest concentrations below the potassium levels of 3.0–3.5 mg g–1. At the concentrations of 2–3 mg g–1 the accumulation increased pronouncedly in bog bilberry but less in downy birch and only slightly in bilberry. The foliar potassium concentrations in test plants correlated closely with the concentrations in pine needles. The concentrations of all species in August were quite stable at the levels of the severe and slight potassium deficiency of pine (3.5 and 4.5 mg g–1 respectively) indicating that August would be suitable for collecting foliage. The concentrations in bog bilberry were very close to the concentrations in pine at the severe and those in bilberry at the slight deficiency level of pine. All test plants could be used for predicting the potassium nutrition of Scots pine, but additional research is needed for the practical application of the method.

The Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization, Rock Type, and Habitat Type on Individual Tree Mortality

Abstract An individual tree mortality model for nitrogen fertilized Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca [Beissn.] Franco) stands was developed using data from permanent research plots located throughout the inland Northwest. The proposed linear logistic model included the following independent variables: a dummy variable for the two habitat types, a set of dummy variables for the five rock types, a set of dummy variables for the three N fertilizer treatments, diameter at breast height, crown ratio, and crown competition factor. The results show that N fertilization, rock type, and habitat type significantly affect individual tree mortality. The probabilities of tree mortality on fertilized plots were greater than those on control plots and increased with increasing N fertilizer application rates. Trees growing on granitic and metasedimentary rocks had lower foliar potassium concentration and exhibited greater probabilities of mortality than did those growing on other rocks. The probabilities of mortality for trees growing on sedimentary rocks were very low. Moist sites had lower soil fertility and produced higher mortality rates than dry sites. Furthermore, the N fertilization response ratio, defined as the annual mortality probability of a fertilized tree over the annual mortality probability of a unfertilized tree with identical tree and stand characteristics, was estimated based on the mortality model. The response ratios were nearly constant (about 1.4) across a range of tree diameters for all rock types with the 224 kg N treatment. The response ratios were also nearly constant (about 2.1) across a range of tree diameters for all rock types with the 448 kg N treatment. Finally, the mortality prediction model passed a validation test on independent data not used in model development. For. Sci. 47(2):203–213.

Effects of different phosphorus fertilisers on the nutrient status and growth of Scots pine stands on drained peatlands

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of phosphorus fertilisers of different solubility and different phosphorus doses. The material was collected from 8 field experiments situated on drained peatlands in southern and central Finland (60°–65°N). The sites were drained, oligotrophic pine fens and pine bogs, which had been fertilised between 1961 and 1977 with different combinations of N, K and P. In 1991–94 stand measurements and foliar and peat sampling were carried out on 162 sample plots. Apatite, rock phosphate and superphosphate affected basal area growth to a rather similar extent. However, apatite slightly surpassed superphosphate and rock phosphate at the end of the study period in two hollow-rich S. fuscum bogs. Higher doses of phosphorus did not significantly increase the basal area growth. The foliar phosphorus concentrations clearly reflected the effect of the P fertilisation. Especially on the pine bogs basic fertilisation with 66 kg P/ha maintained the needle phosphorus concentrations at a satisfactory level for more than 25 years after fertilisation. The amount of phosphorus in the 0–20 cm peat layer was not significantly increased either by basic fertilisation or refertilisation. The phosphorus reserves in the peat in the individual experiments were between 88 and 327 kg/ha. There was a strong correlation between the amounts of phosphorus and iron in the peat. Large amounts of iron in peat may reduce the solubility and availability of phosphorus. According to the foliar phosphorus concentrations in the basic-fertilised plots, the need for refertilisation seems to be unnecessary during the 25-year postfertilisation period at least. None of the basic fertilisation treatments seriously retarded the basal area growth compared to the refertilised treatments. There seems to be a greater shortage of potassium than of phosphorus, because the foliar potassium concentrations and the amounts of potassium in the 0–20 cm peat layer were very low in several of the experiments.

Field establishment of Santalum album L. – the effect of the time of introduction of a pot host ( Alternanthera nana R. Br.)

Field establishment of the root hemi-parasite Santalum album L. under large-scale plantation conditions, until recently, has been largely unsuccessful. In this experiment, the growth of S. album seedlings grown with the herbaceous pot host Alternanthera nana R. Br. for 134, 109, 84, 60 and 35 days in a nursery container prior to field establishment was examined after 11, 16 and 23 weeks in the field. S. album survival and growth was greater, and root:shoot ratio was lower for the 23 weeks for S. album seedlings grown with A. nana compared with seedlings grown without a host. Seedlings grown with A. nana for 134 days in the nursery prior to field establishment had greater stem diameter, height and root, shoot and total plant dry weight (DW) over the 23 weeks in the field than all other treatments. Seedlings grown with A. nana for 109 days in the nursery prior to field establishment had greater field survival than all other treatments. A. nana survival in the field remained high when grown with S. album for 134 and 109 days in the nursery prior to field establishment whereas survival within remaining treatments declined significantly and A. nana growth was significantly less. S. album grown with A. nana for 134 days in the nursery prior to field establishment had a lower root:shoot ratio than all other treatments at all assessments. A strong negative linear relationship exists between S. album root:shoot ratio and A. nana DW, whereas a positive linear relationship exists between S. album DW and A. nana DW. Foliar phosphorus and sodium concentrations for S. album were lower and foliar potassium concentration higher when seedlings were grown with A. nana for 134 days in the nursery prior to field establishment compared with the remaining treatments at the 16-week assessment. The period of the S. album: A. nana association in the nursery significantly influenced S. album survival and growth following field planting.

Effects of foliar potassium concentration on morphology, ultrastructure and polyamine concentrations of Scots pine needles.

We examined the effects of three foliar potassium concentrations (high, intermediate and low) on the morphology, ultrastructure and polyamine concentrations of current-year and 1- and 2-year-old needles of 30-year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees. Foliar K concentration had only a slight effect on needle morphology. The sclerenchyma cell walls were thinner, the xylem area was larger, and the resin ducts were smaller in needles with a low K concentration than in needles with a high or intermediate K concentration. In addition, the bundle sheath cells were collapsed in needles having a low K concentration. The secondary growth of phloem tissue and the mesophyll area were greater in needles with a high or intermediate K concentration than in needles with a low K concentration, possibly indicating greater production of photoassimilates in these trees. At the ultrastructural level, mesophyll cells with enlarged central vacuoles and small vacuoles containing electron-dense material were common in needles having a low K concentration. Enlargement of the central vacuole coincided with an exponential increase in putrescine concentration in needles with a low K concentration, suggesting that the central vacuole may function as a storage site for putrescine.

Effects of simulated acid rain on the growth, nutrition, foliar pigments and photosynthetic rates of sugar maple and white spruce seedlings

Sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) seedlings were exposed to simulated acid rain (SAR) of pH 3.2, 4.3 and 5.6 for two and one-half growing seasons. Ambient rain was excluded from the treatment plots by mobile rain exclusion canopies. Sugar maple seedlings treated with pH 3.2 SAR had significantly higher foliar concentrations of nitrogen, sulphur and manganese, compared to either the pH 4.3 or 5.6 treated seedlings. The pH 3.2 treated seedlings also tended to have greater growth and photosynthetic rates compared to the pH 4.3 and 5.6 treated seedlings. In contrast, the pH 3.2 treated white spruce seedlings tended to have decreased growth and lower foliar potassium concentrations relative to the pH 4.3 and 5.6 treated seedlings. Statistically there were no significant treatment differences in seedling height, seedling diameter, foliar pigments, or photosynthetic rates in either the sugar maple or white spruce seedlings.

Preconditioning effects of nitrogen relative addition rate and drought stress on container-grown lodgepole pine seedlings

Five-week-old Pinuscontorta var. latifolia Engelm. seedlings were subjected to 6 weeks of preconditioning with four combinations of watering and nitrogen fertilization, followed by a second 6-week period to evaluate the continuing effects of the preconditioning treatments. In both phases, the seedlings were fertilized with nitrogen at either 3 or 6%•d−1 relative addition rate and were either subjected to drought or well watered. Preconditioning treatments were crossed with second-phase treatments to give a 24 factorial design. Nitrogen and watering preconditioning effects on biomass, water relations, nutrients, and metabolic constituents persisted at least 6 weeks regardless of the second-phase treatments. Interaction between nitrogen and watering treatments applied simultaneously was found only in relative growth rate and foliar potassium concentration. Interactions between preconditioning and second-phase treatments were found in foliar nitrogen, potassium, and α-amino nitrogen concentrations, root water content, and xylem pressure potential. Foliar starch concentration increased when either nitrogen or water were limiting, but showed no evidence of interaction or preconditioning effect. Preconditioning at the lower nitrogen rate resulted in elevated reducing sugar concentration in the leaves, which persisted during the second-phase period. We did not detect an effect of increased reducing sugars on osmotic potential. Preconditioning at the lower nitrogen rate increased subsequent root weight ratio and reducing sugars concentration, which could contribute to drought resistance. Turgor regulation occurred via changes in cell wall elasticity rather than osmotic adjustment.

RESPONSE OF HYDROPONICALLY GROWN SWEETPOTATO TO INOCULATION WITH AZOSPIRILLUM

The effect of inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense strain Cd on mineral concentration in sweetpotato, [Ipomeo batatas (L) Lam cv. TI-155] tissue and ionic composition of plant nutrient solution was investigated in a greenhouse study. In the field, inoculation of sweetpotato with Azospirillum spp. has been reported to enhance. sweetpotato yield. In this study, 48-h old broth cultures were used as inoculum at a population density of approx. 1 × 108 cfu/ml. The inoculum (0.20 L) was added to the reservoirs containing 30.4 L of a modified half Hoagland's plant nutrient solution at 28 days after the start of the experiment Results indicate that percent total nitrogen in sweetpotato foliage tended to be higher for the inoculated fibrous mat than in the fibrous mat for non-inoculated plants. The percent total nitrogen in storage roots for the non-inoculated treatment tended to be higher than in storage roots for inoculated plants. Inoculation resulted in a slight increase in foliar phosphorus concentration but had no effect on phosphorus concentration in sweetpotato storage and fibrous root samples. Inoculation tended to reduce foliar calcium concentration. Magnesium concentration in leaf tissue was not influenced by inoculation. Foliar potassium concentration tended to increase slightly. The effect of inoculation on potassium concentration in sweetpotato root tissue was not well-defined; potassium concentration tended to be higher in fibrous root tissue for the inoculated treatment. But in storage root tissue, potassium concentration was higher for the non-inoculated treatment than for the inoculated treatment. Inoculation did not affect foliar concentrations of any of the micronutrients measured. This study indicates no effect of inoculation on ionic strength of nutrients in solution reservoirs.

RESPONSE OF BUSH BEAN EXPOSED TO ACID MIST

Bush bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Contender) were treated once a week for six weeks with simulated acid mist at five pH levels ranging from 5.5 to 2.0. Leaf injury developed on plants exposed to acid concentrations below pH 3 and many leaves developed a flecking symptom similar to that caused by ozone. An adaxial, interveinal bleached area resembling SO2 injury also developed on some trifoliate leaves at the low pH treatments. Microscopic observation of injured trifoliates indicated that the palisade cells were plasmolyzed and that the chloroplasts lost structural integrity. Reductions in plant weight and chlorophyll content were detected across the pH gradient. Seed and pod growth were reduced at some intermediate acid depositions even though no visible foliar injury developed. Foliar losses of nitrogen, calcium, magnesium and phosphorous increased with decreases in acid mist pH, whereas foliar potassium concentrations were unaffected by acid mist treatment.

Response of Bush Bean Exposed to Acid Mist

Bush bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Contender) were treated once a week for six weeks with simulated acid mist at five pH levels ranging from 5.5 to 2.0. Leaf injury developed on plants exposed to acid concentrations below pH 3 and many leaves developed a flecking symptom similar to that caused by ozone. An adaxial, interveinal bleached area resembling SO2 injury also developed on some trifoliate leaves at the low pH treatments. Microscopic observation of injured trifoliates indicated that the palisade cells were plasmolyzed and that the chloroplasts lost structural integrity. Reductions in plant weight and chlorophyll content were detected across the pH gradient. Seed and pod growth were reduced at some intermediate acid depositions even though no visible foliar injury developed. Foliar losses of nitrogen, calcium, magnesium and phosphorous increased with decreases in acid mist pH, whereas foliar potassium concentrations were unaffected by acid mist treatment.

Potassium et magnésium: deux éléments limitant la croissance en hauteur du pin rouge au Québec

Relations between the site index of red pine (Pinusresinosa, Ait.) and foliar concentrations in N, P, K, Mg, Ca, and Mn, the soil content in O.M., total N, available P, exchangeable K, HNO3 extractable K, exchangeable Mg and Ca, and the percentage of silt plus clay of 23 sample plots on fluvio-marine or associated deposits in the St-Lawrence plain were studied. The site index varies between 28 and 42 at 20 years b.h. There are significant and positive linear correlations between the site index and concentrations in K, Mg, and Ca in the needles. The linear correlation for Mn is significant but negative. However, multiple regression analysis indicate that only potassium and magnesium were significantly associated with the regressions.There are significant and positive linear correlations between the site index and the soil content in HNO3 extractable K, exchangeable K and Mg. However, multiple regression analysis indicate that only HNO3 extractable K has a significant contribution to variations of site index and the contribution of exchangeable Mg is almost significant at 0.05. There are also significant and positive linear correlations between the foliar concentrations of potassium and magnesium and the respective soil contents in HNO3 extractable K and exchangeable Mg. Height growth of red pine in St-Lawrence plain is closely related to the nutrient status of potassium and magnesium in the sites under investigation.