Foliar application of potassium silicate, potassium fulvate and betaine improve summer-time tomato yield by promoting plant nitrogen and potassium uptake

Abstract

During the summer months, greenhouse tomato production is challenged by the heat, causing yield reduction; therefore, we conducted a study to test the effectiveness of different foliar spray compositions for the improvement of Lycopersicon esculentum var. cerasiforme ‘Qianxi’ nutrition uptake and fruit yield. Two forms of silicon, two kinds of organic nitrogenous compounds and water as the control factor were two-two paired to become nine different recipes, which were as follows: CK (H2O), ISi (K2SiO3), organic silicon (OSi), potassium fulvate (BSFA), BSFA + ISi, BSFA + OSi, betaine (GB), GB + ISi and GB + OSi. The plants were sprayed three times during the period of the first, second and third truss fruit expansions with a 2-week interval. As a result, BSFA or K2SiO3 generated higher yield in plants compared with the other compositions. Also, K2SiO3 significantly enhanced the total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium accumulation in fruit and the whole plant. Comparing across the nine recipes, BSFA + ISi, ISi and GB had improved the fruit yield by 17%, 12.7% and 9.5%, performing the best. BSFA + ISi, ISi and GB also improved the plant nitrogen uptake by 8.2%, 18.8% and 9.8%, as well as the potassium uptake by 16.2%, 12.3% and 15.2%, compared with CK, respectively. Thus, K2SiO3, BSFA and GB stimulated the plant nitrogen and potassium uptake, which improved the marketable yield.

Antioxidant Responses of Water-Stressed Cherry Tomato Plants to Natural Biostimulants

“…Under other stress conditions, such as salinity, a decrease in antioxidant activity, and H 2 O 2 , MDA, and proline contents was observed in cherry tomato plants after the application of humic-based substances as seed coatings or drench solutions [63]. On the other hand, humic substances also have beneficial properties under non-stress conditions; for example, foliar applications of potassium fulvate in greenhouse tomatoes stimulated potassium and nitrogen uptake with increased yields [64].…”

Potassium-based nanomaterials significantly enhance nutrient utilization efficiency and promote high crop yields

“…32 In the research conducted by Xiangnan Xu and colleagues, they compared nine formulas and found that potassium silicate combined with potassium humic acid and potassium silicate alone promoted plant nitrogen absorption, increasing by 8.2% and 18.8%, as well as potassium absorption, which was 16.2% and 12.3% compared to CK, respectively. 33 Simultaneously, research has indicated that the use of nano molybdenum has positive effects on the nitrogen utilization efficiency and yield in green beans. Nano molybdenum chelates and sodium molybdate increased the biomass of mung beans by 24.31% and 36.47%, respectively.…”

The use of potassium silicate and fulvic acid to mitigate the effects of heat stress in tomato plants

“…However, its specific relationship with nitrogen uptake remains uncertain. On the other hand, Xu et al (2022) reported that foliar spray with potassium fulvate (0.5 g dm −3 ) resulted in a significant improvement in fruit yield, with a 17% better performance compared to the control group (CK) that received only water (H2O). Foliar spraying with a mixture of potassium silicate and fulvic acid increased the leaf content of chlorophyll a, carotene, and TSS, while foliar spraying with potassium silicate only increased the leaf content of chlorophyll b.…”