Foliar Potassium Research Articles

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.

Effect of foliar potassium and calcium applications on the nutrient status, fruit quality and yield of apple tree varieties

Effect of foliar potassium and calcium applications on the nutrient status, fruit quality and yield of apple tree varieties

Minimizing the Adverse Impact of Drought on Corn by Applying Foliar Potassium Humate Combined with Chitosan

Previous studies have demonstrated the impact of potassium humate (KH) and chitosan (CH) on ameliorating drought effects, but their combined applications in promoting these benefits are still unfound. Therefore, the current study aims to evaluate the efficacy of KH and CH on corn growth, yield, nutrient contents, and water productivity under full and limited irrigation conditions. Under the drip irrigation system, a split-plot experiment was performed with three replications in the second week of February in the seasons of 2021 and 2022. The main plot was equipped with a valve and a flow emitter to control the amount of the targeted irrigation levels (full irrigation and limited irrigation from the development stage onwards), as well as four foliar applications in the subplot (0, CH 500 mg l−1, KH 3000 mg l−1, and CH 500 mg l−1 + KH 3000 mg l−1). It was found that separate foliar applications of KH or combined foliar applications of KH + CH had a significant impact on the most examined traits. However, compared to the control, adopting limited irrigation and applying combined applications thereof have significantly increased iron, zinc, manganese, oil, protein, yield, and water productivity. In addition, this combination decreased proline, and the maximum reduction was observed for the combined application with adopting full irrigation. In arid regions, the researcher recommends treating stressed plants with combined foliar applications of KH + CH, which could help plants overcome the negative effects of drought and attain the highest yield and water productivity.

The characteristics of foliar potassium uptake in pistachio as affected by the fertilizer source and solution pH

Foliar spraying is one of the common methods to meet the nutritional needs of fruit trees, but the efficiency of this method largely depends on the characteristics of nutrient element uptake by the leaves. In this study, the characteristics of foliar potassium (K) uptake in pistachio (Pistachio vera L. cv. Owhadi) as affected by K fertilizer source and the solution pH was investigated in both intact and detached leaves. Potassium fertilizer solutions differing in pH (4.5, 5.5, 6.5, and 7.5) were provided by using K2SO4 and K-lysine and K-methionine amino acid complexes. Foliar sprays of K led to greater contribution of symplastic fraction to the apoplastic fraction; although this effect varied upon the K source and solution pH. The lowest distribution of apoplastic K was observed at the K-Met-treatment, while the leaves treated with K2SO4 retained the largest amount of K in the apoplastic spaces. The absorption of K by pistachio leaves from all K fertilizer sources declined as pH increased to 7.5. The decrease in the foliar uptake of K was significantly affected by the K source. At pH > 5.5, foliar uptake of K was greater from the K-Met-in comparison with K2SO4. This study suggests that foliar K uptake is affected by fertilizer source and solution pH. Higher symplastic distribution of foliar-applied K explains at least in part, higher nut K concentration in the pistachio trees treated with the K-amino acid complexes compared to those treated with K2SO4.

Effect of Fruit Bagging, Reflective Mulch and Foliar Potassium Spray on Quality of Apple

Effect of Fruit Bagging, Reflective Mulch and Foliar Potassium Spray on Quality of Apple

Ameliorative effects of foliar potassium nitrate on the growth, physiological, and stomatal properties of lettuce plants under salinity stress

The restorative effects of foliar potassium nitrate spraying on morphological, physiological, and stomata properties of salt-affected lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cv. Yedikule plants were investigated. Lettuce seedlings grown under saline irrigation water constituted by NaCl levels with 50, 100, 150, and 200 mM were sprayed with foliar KNO3 at 500 mg L−1 after 30-day-old plants. Salinity stress adversely influenced plant growth and physiological parameters. Fresh plant biomass, leaf area per plant, and leaf number were limited at 100 mM NaCl and above. Leaf temperature, chlorophyll content, dry matter, turgor loss, and electrolyte leakage were enhanced under saline conditions; however, salinity diminished leaf relative water content. Foliar KNO3 spraying improved the physiologic and stomata traits of salt-affected lettuce plants rather than plant growth. The electrolyte leakage was increased by increasing salinity and KNO3 spraying, whereas the relative injury was lower in the plants treated with foliar KNO3. An increase in stomata density was detected up to 100 mM NaCl, while stomata length and width were gradually decreased. Salinity and foliar KNO3 resulted in more frequent stomata number up to 100 mM NaCl, but it was surprisingly reduced at higher NaCl levels. Lettuce plants could grow up with irrigation water salinity of 100 mM and foliar KNO3 with 500 mg L−1 could regulate the adverse effects of salinity on the physiological characteristics up to 100 mM NaCl.

Effect of foliar-applied potassium silicate on growth, yield, fruit quality and antioxidant activity of tomato plants grown under deficit irrigation

When water is scarce, it is highly important to provide plants with water at critical stages to improve yield with high water use efficiency (WUE). Transpiration reduction is an effective and necessary procedure for conserving irrigation water while ensuring plant survival and protecting foliage from drought damage, and thus increasing water productivity. Foliar application of growth stimulators is one of the most important ways for lowering transpiration rates and reducing the negative effects of drought stress. The effects of foliar potassium silicate application as a growth stimulator, as well as water-sprayed plants, on growth, some physiological parameters, yield components, and water use efficiency of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivar "Elisa" grown during summer season under three irrigation levels (100, 75 or 50% ETc, of the estimated crop evapotranspiration) were investigated. The field experiment was conducted during 2019 and 2020 seasons at the Experimental Farm of Vegetable Crops Department, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Cairo. Giza Governorate, Egypt.

Citrus response to various foliar potassium treatments

This study aimed to investigate the effects of foliar application of different potassium (K) sources on yield and fruit nutrient uptake in 28-year-old Valencia oranges (Citrus sinensis, L.) grafted onto Trifoliata citrange rootstock. In the trial that was conducted with different foliar potassium sources in the region of Köyceğiz (Turkey) in the years 2016, 2017, and 2018 with 5 replications according to the random blocks trial design for this purpose, in addition to the control group where no foliar treatment was applied, the treatment groups received Potassium Nitrate (KNO3, 46% K2O; 300 g/100L/da), Potassium Thiosulfate (25% K2O; 400 ml/100L/da) and Potassium Phosphite (25% K2O; 500 ml/100 L/da) treatments. For all examined parameters and for all 3 years, the highest results were obtained in the potassium phosphite treatment. This may be due to its higher mobility inside the plant compared to other K sources. The effects of all treatments on yield were found significant, where the yield values for 2016, 2017, and 2018 were found as 139, 143, and 140 kg/tree, respectively. This may be explained with the role of K on promoting the fruit reserves. Regarding the effects of potassium phosphite on all fruit nutrient uptake amounts, the effect of the treatment in all 3 years was found significant except for Fe, Cu, and Mn. In conclusion, among the potassium sources, the most effective fertilizer was determined as potassium phosphite.

Performance of salt-tolerant forage genotypes of millet Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] in Eastern Mediterranean conditions

In this study the aim was to evaluate alternative crops able to tolerate thefuture rise in salinity, likely to occur in the East Mediterranean coastal areas. For this, two genotypes of pearl millet (Tall and IP13) were submitted to saline conditions (4, 8, 12 dS.m-1 and 2 dS.m-1 as control) in a field trial. Water consumption using neutron probe technique, physiological response and the production were studied. The neutron probe technique showed that 96% of consumed water originated in the upper 0.45 m. As salinity increased, water consumption became shallower, suggesting a different root distribution. Physiological aspects related to plant height, foliar potassium and uptake of nitrogen were investigated. Tallest plants were found in 4 dS.m-1 in Tall, and in 2 dS.m-1 in IP13. Foliar potassium was similar in Tall variety, while IP13 excluded the potassium, in order to reduce cellular ions. In Tall the 15N technique showed that 40-50% of plant N originated from the fertilizers, irrespective of saline conditions. Fresh weight was not different between 4 and 8 dS.m-1, in three cuts out of five in 2016 and 2017. Tall produced higher dry matter, especially under saline conditions. Best water use efficiency was in 4 dS.m-1 (10.4 kg.m-3 in Tall; 8.8 kg.m-3 in IP13). The plotting of dry matter production against salinity gave quadratic equations, with a peak at 5.6 dS.m-1 for IP13 and 7.1 dS.m-1 for Tall. Tall can be used for phytoremediation of soils in coastal areas, and as a forage crop.

Recovery of trembling aspen, tamarack, and white spruce seedlings from NaCl stress following winter dormancy: implications for increased foliar potassium, necrosis, and sodium management as stress resistance mechanisms

Recovery of trembling aspen, tamarack, and white spruce seedlings from NaCl stress following winter dormancy: implications for increased foliar potassium, necrosis, and sodium management as stress resistance mechanisms

Effect of foliar application of potassium with aquaculture wastewater on the growth of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) and Pangasianodon hypophthalmus in recirculating aquaponic system

A 90-day experimental trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of foliar potassium application with aquaculture wastewater on the growth performance of okra and Pangasianodon hypophthalmus in a media-based recirculating aquaponic system. A completely randomized design (CRD) in triplicates was followed with a fish to plant ratio of 4.7 kg/m3: 6 okra plants per tank. The potassium dosages of 0, 2, 3, 4, and 5 g/L were applied twice a month in control, T1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively. The water quality parameters remained within the favorable limit for aquaponic production. The results showed that the overall growth of okra viz., plant height, leaf number, length, and width was significantly higher in the treatments, particularly in T3 and T4 compared to other treatments and the control. The treatment T4 showed the significantly highest yield (31.26±0.78 g/plant) compared to the control (7.25±1.30 g/plant). The okra yield, pod number per plant, and average weight per pod were significantly influenced by potassium dosage with the highest value observed in T3 (4 g/L) and T4 (5 g/L). The potassium dosage also impacted the branching pattern of okra with the highest number of branches observed in plants sprayed with 4 g/L (T3) and 5 g/L (T4) while control showed no branching. The proximate and mineral composition showed significantly higher crude protein (13.57±0.32%) and potassium content (2306.70±37.76 mg/100 g) in okra pods in T4; while potassium and sulfur content of leaves was found to increase with the increased dosage of potassium application. The fish growth, hematological and antioxidant enzymes parameters showed no significant difference in all the treatments and control. The present study recommends a 5 g/L foliar potassium dosage to enhance okra growth and yield without impairing fish growth performance in okra-P. hypophthalmus aquaponics.

Foliar nutrient concentrations of six northern hardwood species responded to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization but did not predict tree growth.

Foliar chemistry can be useful for diagnosing soil nutrient availability and plant nutrient limitation. In northern hardwood forests, foliar responses to nitrogen (N) addition have been more often studied than phosphorus (P) addition, and the interactive effects of N and P addition have rarely been described. In the White Mountains of central New Hampshire, plots in ten forest stands of three age classes across three sites were treated annually beginning in 2011 with 30 kg N ha−1 y−1 or 10 kg P ha−1 y−1 or both or neither–a full factorial design. Green leaves of American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.), pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica L.f.), red maple (Acer rubrum L.), sugar maple (A. saccharum Marsh.), white birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.), and yellow birch (B. alleghaniensis Britton) were sampled pre-treatment and 4–6 years post-treatment in two young stands (last cut between 1988–1990), four mid-aged stands (last cut between 1971–1985) and four mature stands (last cut between 1883–1910). In a factorial analysis of species, stand age class, and nutrient addition, foliar N was 12% higher with N addition (p < 0.001) and foliar P was 45% higher with P addition (p < 0.001). Notably, P addition reduced foliar N concentration by 3% (p = 0.05), and N addition reduced foliar P concentration by 7% (p = 0.002). When both nutrients were added together, foliar P was lower than predicted by the main effects of N and P additions (p = 0.08 for N × P interaction), presumably because addition of N allowed greater use of P for growth. Foliar nutrients did not differ consistently with stand age class (p ≥ 0.11), but tree species differed (p ≤ 0.01), with the pioneer species pin cherry having the highest foliar nutrient concentrations and the greatest responses to nutrient addition. Foliar calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) concentrations, on average, were 10% (p < 0.001) and 5% lower (p = 0.01), respectively, with N addition, but were not affected by P addition (p = 0.35 for Ca and p = 0.93 for Mg). Additions of N and P did not affect foliar potassium (K) concentrations (p = 0.58 for N addition and p = 0.88 for P addition). Pre-treatment foliar N:P ratios were high enough to suggest P limitation, but trees receiving N (p = 0.01), not P (p = 0.64), had higher radial growth rates from 2011 to 2015. The growth response of trees to N or P addition was not explained by pre-treatment foliar N, P, N:P, Ca, Mg, or K.

Effect of Soil and Foliar Application of Plant Nutrients on Purple Blotch and Tip-Burn of Garlic

An experiment was conducted in the field of Plant Pathology Division, BARI, Joydebpur to evaluate the efficacy of available plant nutrient for the development of purple blotch disease and tip-burn of onion. Eight different treatments viz. Potassium (MP fertilizer), Phosphorus (TSP fertilizer), Boron (Boron fertilizer), Zinc (ZnSO4 fertilizer), Calcium (CaSO4 fertilizer), Copper (CuSO4), Silicon (silica gel) and Manganese (MnSO4 fertilizer) were tested against purple blotch disease and tip-burn of garlic. The present study revealed that soil and foliar application of plant nutrients viz. Potassium, Phosphorus, Boron, Zinc, Calcium, Copper, Silicon and Manganese gave appreciable reduction of purple blotch disease and tip-burn incidence and increased plant growth parameters such as shoot and root growth as well as yield of garlic. Among the nutrients Potassium, Phosphorus, Silicon, Zinc and Calcium were performed better for reducing purple blotch disease severity, tip-burn disease incidence and increasing plant growth as well as yield of garlic. Application of Boron and Manganese also performed better than control. So, soil and foliar application plant nutrients Potassium, Phosphorus, Silicon, Zinc, Boron and Manganese may be recommended for tip-burn and purple blotch disease management and for garlic production in Bangladesh.

Do Various Conifers Respond Differently to Water Stress? A Comparative Study of White Pine, Concolor and Balsam Fir

Aim of study: Two-year-old containerized balsam and concolor fir and one-year-old Eastern white pine transplants were grown under variable watering regimes with the goal of identifying plant morphological and some physiological traits under water stress. Area of study: This experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the Tree Research Center on the Michigan State University campus, East Lansing, Michigan. Material and methods: Relative root collar diameter (RRCD), height growth (RHG), and root length (RRL) were measured as growth parameters. Stem water potential (Ψ), stomatal conductance (gs), net photosynthetic rate (Anet), intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE=Anet/gs), foliar potassium (K+), and calcium (Ca+2) concentration were measured as physiological traits. Main results: Well-watered transplants had significantly higher RRCD, RHG, and RRL in fir species. Balsam fir and white pine transplants had a higher Ψ than concolor fir under severe stress. Fir species had higher Anet, gs, and a lower iWUE than white pine. White pine had a lower foliar K+ concentration, while balsam fir had the highest foliar Ca+2 concentration. Balsam fir had higher growth and Anet, gs, and iWUE under water stress due to their ability to maintain higher water uptake despite a reduced soil water content. Highlights: It is concluded that white pine has better drought tolerance because of the ability to withstand water stress through the mechanism of reduced photosynthetic activities and growth, minimize water loss, and increase water uptake.

A Comparative Study of Foliar and Soil potassium Fertilizer on Growth and Yield of Strawberry Cultivated in Non-Heated Greenhouses

This study has been conducted in the non-heated greenhouse of the of Protected agriculture department of the Bakrajo Technical Institute of -Sulaymaniyah Governorate during winter season of 2019 The purpose of this study to determine the effect of soil fertilization and foliar application of potassium with different rates ( 0 as control , 1.5 , 2.5 and 3.gm/L ) on strawberry cv. Rubygem growth and yield. The parameters recorded were number of leaf per plant, number of flower per plant, number of fruit per plant, weight of fruit (gm), total acidity % of fruit (T.A) and total soluble solid (TSS) of the fruit. According to the results of most of the parameters of this study the foliar application of the fertilizer (K) is better than applying the fertilizer of soil in most parameters. The highest value of number of leaf, flower, fruit and fruit weight gained from potassium in rate 1.5gm/L in both methods. While the highest value of total soluble solid (T.S.S) obtained from 3.5gm/L which was %12.87, and the highest value of T.A was significantly gained from the control which was % 0.51. As regards to interaction between soil and foliar fertilizer, the highest number of leaf was gained from control at foliar application without any significant value with the other rates, and the highest significant value in number of flower was gained from 1.5gm at foliar application. While the highest value of fruit weight was gained from foliar application with 3.5gm and soli fertilizer with 1.5gm of potassium without any significant value between the two treatments which are 21.72gm and 20.12gm successively, and the highest significant value of total acidity was gained from control at foliar application which is %0.54. As regards to total soluble solid the highest significant value was obtained from 3.5gm in soil fertilizer which is %14.25.

Timing and Rate of Foliar Potassium Application to Improve Yield, Fruit Size and Quality Attributes of Pomegranate: Based on Data Generated in Field Experiments Conducted in Iran and Egypt

ABSTRACT It is proven that potassium (K) plays a key regulatory role in many physiological processes of plant growth and that K fertilization can improve the yield and quality attributes in fruit crops. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of timing and various concentrations of foliar sprays of potassium sulfate, during fruit growth and maturation, on yield and quality of pomegranate fruit in Iran and Egypt, which have different pomegranate production systems. In Iran one, two or three sprays of 1% or 2% K-Leaf® (a high grade foliar potash booster) was used, and in Egypt a single spray of either 10 or 20 kg/ha, and two sprays of 10 and 20 kg/ha K-Leaf® were applied. Results showed that in both experiments in Iran and Egypt, foliar K treatments increased total and marketable yield of pomegranates, as well as fruit weight and size, flavor index (the ratio of total soluble solids/total acid). The treatments also improved the fruit’s peel and aril color compared to the non-treated control plants. Results also demonstrated that multiple potassium sprays (two or three applications) were more effective than applying higher concentrations; as in many cases, there were no significant differences between 1 and 2% concentrations of K fertilizer in treatments with same number of applications (one, two or three sprays). Although three sprays of 2% K-Leaf® were the most effective treatments, it can be concluded that three sprays of 1% K-Leaf®) is probably more economically sound for use in pomegranate orchards.

Response of Summer Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) wilczek] to Foliar Potash Fertilization under Different Moisture Regimes

Background: Scheduling of irrigation is the major factor in producing higher yields of summer crops. Water stress during the sensitive stages will cause significant reduction in yield. Potassium (K+) is reported as an important element in reducing the ill effects of crop water stress. Foliar application of potassium increases the drought tolerance in mungbean. Keeping this in view, a field experiment was conducted to study the response of summer mungbean to foliar potassic fertilization under different moisture regimes during 2018 at SVPUAT, Meerut (U.P). Methods: It included 12 treatment combinations comprised of 2 irrigation schedules (0.6 and 0.4 IW/CPE ratio) and 6 foliar potassium treatments (1% spray of K through KNO3 and/or KCl at flowering, flowering and pod development stage including control), replicated thrice and were tested under a split-plot design. Result: The results indicated that, the growth parameters, yield and yield attributes of mungbean were significantly higher under 0.6 IW/CPE ratio as compared to 0.4. The gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio were also found highest with 0.6 IW/CPE ratio. Among the foliar application of potassium treatments, the growth attributes, yield and yield attributes were significantly increased by foliar application of 1% K through KNO3/KCl at flowering and pod development stage. The foliar application of 1% K through KNO3 at flowering and pod development stage fetched significantly higher gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio, but remained on par with dual spray of 1% K through KCl. The interaction effect between irrigation regimes and potassium foliar levels was non-significant for most of the parameters.

The Effect of Foliar Application of K2SO4 or KH2PO4 on Skin Color of the ‘Kyoho’ Grape

Anthocyanins in red grape skin have a positive effect on fruit color and human health. The effect of foliar potassium application on anthocyanin accumulation in grape skin is not well understood. The study aimed to better understand the mechanism of anthocyanin accumulation in grape skin in response to foliar sprays of K2SO4 and KH2PO4. In this study, we investigated the effects of foliar application of KH2PO4 (T2), K2SO4 (T1) and distilled water (CK) on the skin color of ‘Kyoho’ grapes at mid-ripe and mature stages. At 90 and 110 days after full bloom (DAFB), T2 had the greatest total soluble solids (TSS), flavonoid and total anthocyanin contents, followed by T1 and CK. At two stages, the titratable acid content decreased and the juice pH increased under T2 treatment relative to CK. T1 and T2 had lower lightness (L*) than CK, and the color index of red grapes (CIRG) under T1 and T2 increased at two stages compared to CK. KEGG metabolic pathway analysis revealed that flavonoid biosynthesis was the most significantly enriched pathway in CK vs. T2 at 90 and 110 DAFB. At 90 DAFB, T2 had higher expressions of phenylalanine ammonia-lyas (PAL), cytochrome P450 CYP73A100 (CYP73A), 4-coumarate: CoA ligase (4CL), chalcone synthase (CHS), flavanone 3-dioxygenase-like (F3H) and UDP glucose: flavonoid 3-o-glucosyl transferase (UFGT) than CK and T1. Foliar application of potassium fertilizer may accelerate anthocyanin accumulation by altering the transcript levels of PAL, CYP73A, 4CL, CHS, F3H, and UFGT of the flavonoid biosynthesis.

Unraveling Wheat Grain Quality, Physiological Indices, Dry Matter Accumulation, and Attenuating Water Stress Adverse Effect Via Foliar Potassium Application at Different Growth Stages

Unraveling Wheat Grain Quality, Physiological Indices, Dry Matter Accumulation, and Attenuating Water Stress Adverse Effect Via Foliar Potassium Application at Different Growth Stages

Effect of different foliar potassium fertilization forms on vegetative growth, yield, and fruit quality of kaki trees grown in sandy soil

Kaki cultivar ' Costata' suffers from potassium (K) deficiency especially it is growing in sandy soil, which results in decreased production. In the current study, we estimated the different foliar potassium fertilization forms (KCl, K2SO4, and potassium nanoparticles: K-NPs). K forms were applied on four fruit developmental stages (Flowering, Fruit set, version, at harvest stages). The treatment of K-NPs enhanced chlorophyll content and carotene pigments. Malondialdehyde content (MDA), and ions leakage (IL) were reduced comparison with the untreated control trees and other potassium form treatments. Furthermore, significantly increased K+ and percent than other treatment forward with an increase in chlorophyll content, leaf area, and shoot carbohydrates at K-NPs form treatment. The overall results revealed that K-NPs application can induce K+ uptake, modulate Na+ levels and decrease cell wall damage in the treated plants comparing to the untreated control trees. Our results recommend that the application of K-NPs can assist support tree integrity in the kaki cultivar Costata’ under the sandy soil.