Integrated Effects of Potassium Humate and Planting Density on Growth, Physiological Traits and Yield of Vicia faba L. Grown in Newly Reclaimed Soil

Abstract

Several agronomic factors, including planting density, affect plant growth and final yield. New soil suffers from severe fertility shortage and crop productivity. Potassium humate (KH) application improves soil fertility and plant performance under new soil conditions. Therefore, this investigation was performed in two seasons of 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 to study the impact of KH application at the rate of 50 kg hectare−1 (ha−1) on growth, yield, physio-biochemical attributes, plant water status and nutrients in faba bean plants grown in newly reclaimed soil under three planting densities, i.e., D1 = 222.222 plants ha−1 (15 × 60 cm), D2 = 166.666 plants ha−1 (20 × 60 cm) and D3 = 133.333 plants ha−1 (25 × 60 cm). The results showed that KH application enhanced tissue water status by increasing the membrane stability index (MSI%) and relative water content (RWC%), while electric leakage (EL%) was reduced, alongside increased growth attributes physio-biochemical properties and nutrients. These results were positively reflected by the improved yield and its components (i.e., number of pods plant−1, 100-seed weight, seed yield plant−1 and seed yield ha−1) in favor of the medium planting density (166.666 plants ha−1). The results of the current study showed that the application of KH with the medium planting density (20 × 60 cm) was the best treatment combination to enhance the performance and productivity (2.97 ton ha−1) of faba bean plants grown under newly reclaimed soil conditions.

Integrated Application of Selenium and Silicon Enhances Growth and Anatomical Structure, Antioxidant Defense System and Yield of Wheat Grown in Salt-Stressed Soil

“…Proline and total soluble sugars are organic osmolytes and assist in cell osmoregulation and mitigation of stresses for plants [ 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 ]. A close relationship between the concentration of osmoprotectants and tolerance of stress has been noted, and they are considered one of the indicators for the possibility of stress tolerance [ 81 ].…”

Soil Amendment Using Biochar and Application of K-Humate Enhance the Growth, Productivity, and Nutritional Value of Onion (Allium cepa L.) under Deficit Irrigation Conditions

“…Additionally, foliar spraying with potassium humate produced a higher vegetative growth such as plant height and total leaf area than control (untreated plots) and lower than biochar application [18]. The enhancement of onion plant growth in response to foliar spraying of potassium humate may be ascribed to its contents of proteins, amino acids, different nutrients, and a higher percentage of vitamin B that can play a crucial role in improving plant growth [23].…”

“…Moreover, potassium humate improves the rate of nutrient uptake, plant growth, and productivity as a result of a hormone-like effect, activation of photosynthesis, accelerating cell division, increasing the permeability of plant cell membranes, and improving the plant response to salinity and water stress [17]. Potassium humate can be used as a cheap source of potassium [18]. Furthermore, humic acid is one of the main components of humus [19].…”

Effect of Different Spacing on the Growth and Yield of California Wonder Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum) on Sandy Loam Soil in the Gambia

“…This increase in plant height in closer spacing can be explained by the fact that the case of higher population density, penetration of light was decreased which might have led to increasing the formation of the endogenous auxin and enhanced the growth of the buds which due to competition tended to grow faster in order to outperform the next plant. In addition, Mahdi et al [11] found that the application of potassium humate with the medium planting density (20 × 60 cm) was the best treatment combination to enhance the performance and productivity (2.97 ton ha −1 ) of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) plants grown under newly reclaimed soil conditions. The results of the present study for this parameter are also in agreement with previous findings by Worku & Astatkie, [12]; Hussein & Hussein [13]; reported that plant height is determined by planting space which has a significant influence on crop growth and development.…”