Coupling Effects of Potassium Fertilization Rate and Application Time on Growth and Grain Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Plants Grown Under Cd-Contaminated Saline Soil

Abstract

Potassium is an essential macronutrient, where its availability regulates numerous biochemical, phenological, and physiological responses in plants. Synchronizing potassium supply with plant demand is a key factor to enhance growth and grain production of wheat grown in cadmium-contaminated saline soils. Field experiments were conducted in El Fayoum province, Egypt, between latitudes 29° 02′ and 29° 35′ N and longitudes 30° 23′ and 31° 05′ E, during the cropping seasons of 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 to determine the influence of different applied potassium rates and times on nutrient uptake and wheat yield grown under Cd-contaminated saline soil (ECe = 8.53 dS m−1 and Cd = 18 mg kg−1 soil). Four K levels (K0, K40, K80, and K120 representing 0, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha−1) were applied at different application times [full dose (basal) at sowing (100% S), two equal split doses at sowing and flowering stage (50% S + 50% F), and full dose at flowering stage (100% F)]. The experimental treatments were arranged in a randomized split complete block design and replicated three times. The applied K rates, times, and their interaction induced significant differences in nutrient uptake and physiological responses which in turn improved the growth and yield of the wheat crop. Potassium addition with 120 kg ha−1 at two equal split doses (50% S + 50% F) resulted in the highest values of plant height (97 cm), Fv/Fm (0.83), PI (5.49), SPAD (58.63), MSI (34.57), seed yield (5.04 t ha−1), straw yield (9.04 t ha−1), and water productivity (0.99 kg m−3). Similarly, the uptake of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, and Zn was increased, while the uptake of Na and Cd decreased as the K supply increased under the split application. The addition of potassium by 120 kg ha−1 in two equal split doses at the sowing and flowering stage could be a valuable approach to improve yield and yield quality of wheat crop grown under cadmium-contaminated saline soils.

Enhancing the Agronomic Performance of Potassium Fertilizer and Potassium-Bearing Minerals in Sandy Loam Soil by Adding Humic Acids and Mycorrhiza

“…Conversely, the absence of K supplementation resulted in deformities in vegetative growth and reduced biomass yield in wheat crops. These results are consistent with the findings of numerous other researchers in this field, including (Guo et al 2019;El-Mageed et al 2023;El-Nahas et al 2019). They found that K fertilization had increased the yield of wheat growth and development.…”

Exploring the influence of supplemental potassium fertilizer types and rates on garlic quality and yield

“…This consistent performance underscores the potential of PN as a highly effective fertilizer for garlic cultivation. On the other hand, a lack of potassium adversely affects the growth and expansion of garlic leaves, resulting in hindered development and stunted growth (El-Mageed et al, 2023). Indeed, nitrogen plays a pivotal role in plants as it is utilized for the synthesis of crucial components such as amino acids, chlorophyll, enzymes, and DNA (Stein and Klotz, 2016).…”

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