Effect of Potassium Sulphate on the Growth and Uptake of Nutrients in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Under Salt Stressed Conditions

Abstract

Wheat is cultivated throughout the world to meet the needs of food and feed and industrial raw material in several countries. The salinity has been confirmed as main constrain of crop production and major threat to the agriculture. There is a need to increase the wheat production in marginalized soils. Different strategies have been adopted to increase the crop productivity in the world. During the current study effect of potassium sulphate was investigated for crop production in the salt stressed areas. Different application rate of K 2 SO 4 (i. e., 50, 100, 150, 200 mM) under 150mM NaCl stress were used. It has been observed that the application of K 2 SO 4 has increased the biomass production irrespective of the rate of application. The application of 200 mM K 2 SO 4 proved to be the best to increase the maximum biomass in saline environment. It was also observed that the use of fertilizer has also increased the uptake of essential nutrients like potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus in saline soils.

Alleviation of Salt Stress by K2so4 in Two Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) Cultivars

“…It is a well known fact that use of K 2 SO 4 in saline soils is effective in having high fresh biomass production in many crops (Hussain et Soils affected by salinity are in need of more nutrient uptake predominantly P, Mg 2+ and K + , which play key role in physiological and biochemical processes (Kausar and Gull, 2014a). Development of plant depends particularly on the accessibility of appropriate amounts of potassium fertilizer (Kausar and Gull, 2014b), which improves plant growth and productivity (Hussain et al, 2013, Saffa et al, 2013 especially in the plants facing salt stress.…”

“…The potash fertilizer is best option among others particularly under saline conditions . Potassium is an essential element for plant growth because it plays a key role in regulation of plant metabolic activity as well as physiological and biochemical requirements of plants (Kausar and Gull, 2014a). Its role as macronutrient is very important in many enzymatic reactions and high concentrations are required for the best growth of plants .…”

“…Its role as macronutrient is very important in many enzymatic reactions and high concentrations are required for the best growth of plants . Activation of many enzymes, opening and closing of stomata, photosynthesis and tropism movements are controlled by potassium (Golldack et al, 2003;Kausar and Gull, 2014a). It also controls in certain cases the osmotic adjustment in plants under various stressed conditions (Kausar et al, 2012).…”

“…Its role has been increased exclusively in developing countries of the world where it is used as a staple food. The rain fall 30-90cm, 20-30C˚ temperature and clay loam soils are required to have optimum wheat grain yield (Kausar and Gull, 2014a). Adequate water supply and suitable potassium fertilization are mandatory for optimal shoot and proliferation of root for better uptake of nutrients .…”

“…Wheat is the most important among the cereal grain crops in nutrition supply (Kausar and Gull, 2014a) of ever increasing world population. Its role has been increased exclusively in developing countries of the world where it is used as a staple food.…”