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To explore the effects of various potassium fertilizer dosages on sweet potatoes, field experiments were conducted in 2018 and 2019 using a randomized block design. In the experiment, the control (completely blank, no fertilizer), KS0 (potassium blank, no potassium fertilizer), KS100 (100 kg K2O ha−1), KS200 (200 K2O ha−1), and KS300 (300 K2O ha−1) treatments were set up. The application of potassium fertilizer increased the potassium content of sweet potato plants, thereby increasing the chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, and the fluorescence chlorophyll parameters. It also increased the amylose content in tuber roots to increase the total starch content and yield of sweet potatoes. Specifically, the KS200 treatment significantly improved the soil potassium content, potassium absorption, potassium agronomic efficiency, and potassium recovery efficiency. Compared with the other treatments, the yield and net profit of the KS200 treatment increased by 0.89–27.05% and 2.34–30%, respectively, on average, over two years. Based on factors such as sweet potato yield and starch content, the recommended amount of potassium fertilizer was 200 kg ha−1, which has significant economic benefits and theoretical value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Nativa is the property of Revista Nativa and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objectives] This study was conducted to verify the field application effect of slow-release nitrogen fertilizer on summer maize in Shajiang black soil area by simultaneous sowing and fertilization, and explore the application scope and nitrogen metabolism mechanism, so as to lay a foundation for fertilizer reduction and efficiency improvement. [Methods] With maize variety Beiqing 340 and sulfur-coated urea as experimental materials, five nitrogen application levels were set, namely, control (CO), slow-release nitrogen 70 kg/hm² (C70), slow-release nitrogen 140 kg/hm² (C140), slow-release nitrogen 210 kg/hm² (C210) and slow-release nitrogen 280 kg/hmc (C280). The phosphorus and potassium fertilizers were all in accordance with the unified standard. [Results] With the application rate of slow-release nitrogen increasing, the nitrogen accumulation in organs increased first and then decreased after tasseling stage of maize. In order to reduce the fertilizing amount and increase efficiency, 210 kg/hm² of slow-release nitrogen fertilizer was the best fertilizing amount for summer maize in Shajiang black soil area. [Conclusions] This study provides reference for fertilizer reduction, efficiency improvement and sustainable development of summer maize in Shajiang black soil area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field trial was laid out to mitigate the detrimental consequences of waterlogging (WL) on morpho-physiology and productivity of soybeans through potassium (K) application. Soybean genotypes AGS383 and G00166 were tested against 4 days of WL at the flowering stage. The K fertilizer was applied as (i) basal (full dose) and (ii) basal (50%) + top dress (50%) after the termination of a flood. The experiment's results showed that the WL negatively affected leaf greenness, water and chlorophyll (Chl) content, plant height, nodule and pod production, and soybean seed yield. However, the split application of K fertilizer minimized the detrimental effect of WL in the case of AGS383. This genotype produced taller plants, contained more Chl and water, higher nodules, bold seeds, and accumulated higher amounts of mineral nutrients in their grains under WL condition with K as basal + top dress after the termination of a flood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf chlorophyll content (LCC) significantly correlates with crop growth conditions, nitrogen content, yield, etc. It is a crucial indicator for elucidating the senescence process of plants and can reflect their growth and nutrition status. This study was carried out based on a potato nitrogen and potassium fertilizer gradient experiment in the year 2022 at Keshan Farm, Qiqihar Branch of Heilongjiang Agricultural Reclamation Bureau. Leaf hyperspectral and leaf chlorophyll content data were collected at the potato tuber formation, tuber growth, and starch accumulation periods. The PROSPECT-4 radiative transfer model was employed to construct a look-up table (LUT) as a simulated data set. This was accomplished by simulating potato leaves' spectral reflectance and chlorophyll content. Then, the active learning (AL) technique was used to select the most enlightening training samples from the LUT based on the measured potato data. The Gaussian process regression (GPR) algorithm was finally employed to construct the inversion models for the chlorophyll content of potato leaves for both the whole and single growth periods based on the training samples selected by the AL method and the ground measured data of the potatoes. The R2 values of model validation accuracy for the potato whole plantation period and three single growth periods are 0.742, 0.683, 0.828, and 0.533, respectively with RMSE values of 4.207, 4.364, 2.301, and 3.791 µg/cm2. Compared with the LCC inversion accuracy through LUT with a cost function, the validation accuracies of the GPR_PROSPECT-AL hybrid model were improved by 0.119, 0.200, 0.328, and 0.255, and the RMSE were reduced by 3.763, 2.759, 0.118, and 5.058 µg/cm2, respectively. The study results indicate that the hybrid method combined with the radiative transfer model and active learning can effectively select informative training samples from a data pool and improve the accuracy of potato LCC estimation, which provides a valid tool for accurately monitoring crop growth and growth health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of the Chinese government's policy guidance, there is black soil protection and ecological environment protection. The purpose of this paper is to solve the problem that the soil ecology of the black soil in Northeast China is changing year by year, and it is necessary to explore the sowing and fertilization strategy under the new situation; most Chinese growers rely excessively on their personal experience in the process of soybean sowing and fertilization. In this study, we used "Heihe 43" soybeans and used regression experimental design methods to analyze the effects of planting density, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizer application on soybean yield and to determine the optimal planting density and fertilizer ratios. The study reveals that the optimal soybean planting density in Northeast China is 45.37 × 104 plants/ha, with nitrogen at 98.4 kg/ha, phosphorus at 218.96 kg/ha, and potash at 47.62 kg/ha. Under these conditions, soybean yields can reach 3816.67 kg/ha. This study can provide a theoretical method for decision-making to obtain the optimal planting density and fertilizer ratio for different regions of the farming system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated nutrient management (INM) remains a strategic area for improving crop productivity and soil fertility while reducing the burden on the environment. In India, the majority of farmers are small and marginal, with land holdings of less than 2 hectares, accounting for 85% of the farming population. The country also has a significant livestock population of 537 million, with 96% located in rural areas. Currently, the availability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for cooking provides an opportunity for farmers to utilize animal dung in their fields, thereby enhancing crop and soil productivity to a great extent. Conducting long-term studies on such alternative fertilization methods in the rice-wheat cropping system within the Indo-Gangetic plains (IGP) region of India is crucial, as these crops are facing serious challenges in terms of yield. Therefore, this study was undertaken to examine the long-term (8 years) effects of individual and combined applications of major nutrients (N, P2O5, K2O), along with 15 t farm yard manure (FYM) ha− 1 or green manuring using Sesbania aculeata, on the productivity of rice-wheat crops, soil health, and economic sustainability. The experiment was conducted in a rice-wheat system with seven treatment combinations, namely: (1) Conventional Inorganic Fertilization (CIF: 150 kg N ha− 1, 60 kg P2O5 ha− 1, 40 kg ha− 1 K2O); (2) CIF + FYM 15 t ha− 1; (3) CIF + green manuring with Sesbania aculeata; (4) only 150 kg ha− 1 N; (5) only 60 kg P2O5 ha− 1; (6) only 40 kg K2O ha− 1 and (7) control (no fertilizer). The experiment followed a randomized block design with three replications. The inclusion of 15 t FYM ha− 1 in CIF resulted in a significant increase in rice grain yield (18.1%), attributed to notable enhancements in biomass, panicles m− 2, and number of grains m− 2. Similarly, the application of CIF along with FYM also led to a significant improvement in wheat yield (13.2%) compared to CIF alone. The CIF + FYM application demonstrated superior yield improvements and soil health benefits compared to CIF combined with Sesbania aculeata. However, the sole application of P and K fertilizers did not enhance the yield of either crop, showing no significant effect without the addition of N. Over the course of the 8-years study, the CIF + FYM application resulted in substantial increases in various soil parameters in the 0–15 cm soil depth. Specifically, compared to CIF alone, the CIF + FYM application increased EC, OC, OM, available N, available P2O5, and available K2O by 78.2, 137.2, 138.6, 28.0, 287.8 and 64.8%, respectively. It should be noted that the sole application of P and K fertilizers led to an accumulation of these nutrients in the soil, primarily in the topsoil layers, but these nutrients were not effectively utilized by the crops until N was added. In terms of economics, the CIF + FYM approach demonstrated favorable results. The cost of cultivation, gross return, and net return in CIF + FYM were 13.7, 12.8 and 11.9% higher, respectively, compared to CIF alone. The application of CIF + FYM at a rate of 15 t ha− 1 is a superior option compared to CIF alone or CIF combined with Sesbania aculeata for enhancing the productivity, profitability, and soil fertility of the rice-wheat cropping system in the long run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyhalite is a hydrated sulphate evaporate mineral containing potassium, sulphur, calcium and magnesium that crops require in significant quantities but has limited evaluation as a fertilizer for sugarcane. The sugarcane crop has a high demand for potassium for better quality. To keep the above facts in mind, the present experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of polyhalite and muriate of potash (MOP) on the quality attributes of sugarcane var. Co 11015 (Atulya) in sandy loam soil at Arachalur, Erode district. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design consisting of ten treatments. The treatment included were T1 -control, T2 - 50% K as MOP, T3 - 100% K as MOP, T4 - 100% K as Polyhalite, T5 - 100% K (1:1 ratio of Polyhalite and MOP), T6 - 100% K (1:3 ratio of Polyhalite and MOP), T7 - 150% K as MOP, T8 - 150% K as Polyhalite, T9 - 150% K (1:1 ratio of Polyhalite and MOP), T10 - 150% K (1:3 ratio of Polyhalite and MOP). The application of potassium fertilizers in different levels and ratios significantly (5%) influenced the quality attributes of sugarcane. The results of the experiment revealed that the application of 150% K (169.5 kg K2O ha-1) as polyhalite (T8) recorded maximum brix, pol, purity, CCS%, and extraction% and also this treatment was recorded minimum reducing sugar and fibre%. The present experiment would be helpful to sugarcane farmers for quality improvement through the application of polyhalite as a potassium fertilizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of a study in the agrocenosis of soft winter wheat to determine the effects of pre-sowing and early spring application of various forms and combinations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash fertilizers when growing it in the leached chernozem of the Western Ciscaucasia. The soil is characteristic of a satisfactory state of the structure, density: 1.26-1.42 g/cm3; active acidity (pH): 6.29-6.58 pH; exchangeable (pH): 5.11-5.25 units; hydrolytic: 1.94-3.05 meq/100 g; the amount of absorbed bases: 27.5-31.2 meq/100 g; cation exchange capacity: 30.6-33.1 meq./100 g; the soil saturation degree with bases: 90.2%-94.3%; and humus content: 2.93%. Fertilizers improve the nutrient regime of the soil. The average supply level with mineral nitrogen, high and mobile phosphorus, and very high mobile potassium has been well-defined. It could lead to an increase in grain when applying N120P30K60 - 1.28 t/ha (or 24.1%), N120P90K20 - 1.47 t/ha (or 27.8%), and N120P90K60 - 1.53 t/ha (or 28.8%). The grain yield of soft winter wheat was 6.58, 6.77, and 6.83 t/ha, respectively. The protein content in the grain varied from 13.2% to 14.3%. The collection of protein per hectare was 870.5, 948.5, and 958.3 kg/ha for the treatments N120P30K60, N120P90K20, and N120P90K60, respectively. The protein in the control was equal to 554.9 kg/ha. Dispersion analysis of the study results showed the share of the contribution of the factor "combination of fertilizers" was 75.95%. Similarly, the data analysis of the conditions of the agricultural year and combinations of mineral fertilizers has a smaller share - 19.24%. With the introduction of N120P30K60 and N120P90K20, the payback of mineral fertilizers by increasing the yield of soft winter wheat grain is the largest - 6.10 and 6.39 kg/kg a.i. NPK, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potassium is essential for plant growth and development and stress adaptation. The maintenance of potassium homeostasis involves a series of potassium channels and transporters, which promote the movement of potassium ions (K+) across cell membranes and exhibit complex expression patterns and regulatory mechanisms. Rice is a major food crop in China. The low utilization rate of potassium fertilizer limits the yield and quality of rice. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of potassium absorption, transport, and utilization is critical in improving potassium utilization efficiency in rice. Although some K+ transporter genes have been identified from rice, research on the regulatory network is still in its infancy. Therefore, this review summarizes the relevant information on K+ channels and transporters in rice, covering the absorption of K+ in the roots, transport to the shoots, the regulation pathways, the relationship between K+ and the salt tolerance of rice, and the synergistic regulation of potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus signals. The related research on rice potassium nutrition has been comprehensively reviewed, the existing research foundation and the bottleneck problems to be solved in this field have been clarified, and the follow-up key research directions have been pointed out to provide a theoretical framework for the cultivation of potassium-efficient rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The birth of potash industry was 1861 in Staßfurt, Duchy of Prussia with commissioning of the first potash plant. During the mining of rock salt in Staßfurt, seams containing potassium had previously only been discovered by chance and initially treated as overburden. Until 1918, potash production was only in the German Empire with a total capacity of about 0.83 million t K. Subsequently, a successful global exploration for further potash deposits began. Large and high‐quality potash deposits are found in the Northern Hemisphere in Europe, Canada, Russia, and Belarus. From around 1950 onward, the industry began to grow strongly. In 2021, the global production was about 36 million t K. More than 90% is marketed as fertilizer, mainly potassium chloride. Feeding the world's growing population requires a safe and adequate supply of fertilizer. The potash production capacities are correspondingly high and the global supply of potassium fertilizer is secured for centuries to come. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research aims to evaluate the efficacy of different levels of potassium fertilizer (8 g/plant K2O) as well as the insecticides neemix, spinosad, and imidacloprid at the rates of 6 ml, 0.33 ml, and 0.33 g/L water, respectively, for the management of brinjal fruits and shoot borer. The twofactor randomized complete block design with three replications was used. Significant minimum shoot damage was recorded in the plots treated with imidacloprid (0%), spinosad (1.67%) and neemix (5.0%) at 81 days after planting. Similarly, a significant minimum fruit infestation (2.90%) was recorded with imidacloprid, which was lower than those of spinosad (15.16%) and neemix (19.63%). The application of potassium fertilizer at a rate of 8 g/plant showed a significant reduction in shoot infestation (2.50%) 81 days after planting. The minimum percentage yield of infested fruit was reported with spinosad (1.03%), which was at par with other insecticidal treatments. Considering the negative impacts of chemical pesticides, neemix 6 ml/L water in combination with potassium fertilizer at 8 g/plant is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Iraqi Journal of Desert Studies is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Ultisols and Oxisols are the two dominant soils in the tropics. These soils are mostly infertile and have low cation exchange capacity because of their low pH (4 to 5). They are composed of kaolinite and sesquioxides which are prone to potassium (K) leaching. To make these soils arable, liming and fertilization are required. Nevertheless, this conventional practice alone does not mitigate K availability in such soils because of their low pH buffering capacity and low K adsorption capacity. The alkalinity of sago (Metroxylon sagu) bark ash and charcoal and the deprotonation of charcoal’s functional groups by the carbonates and oxides of sago bark ash have potential benefits. Due to these characteristics of sago bark ash and charcoal, they could be utilized to improve soil pH buffering capacity and K adsorption capacity to prevent the leaching of K and the pollution of water bodies. Moreover, the use of charcoal and sago bark ash to amend soils is a good way of utilizing agro-wastes sustainably. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of amending tropical acid soils with charcoal and sago bark on K sorption and pH buffering capacity. The treatments evaluated were: (i) 300 g soil only, (ii) 250 g charcoal only, (iii) 250 g sago bark ash only, (iv) 300 g soil + 15.42 g charcoal, (v) 300 g soil + 7.71 g sago bark ash, and (vi) 300 g soil + 15.42 g charcoal + 7.71 g sago bark ash. Langmuir bonding energy constant (KL), Maximum K buffering capacity (MBC), and maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) of the soil with charcoal and sago bark ash were higher than that of soil alone. However, desorption of K was not significantly affected after application of the amendments. On the other hand, the combined use of charcoal and sago bark ash improved the soil’s pH buffering capacity in comparison to the untreated soil because of the inherently high CEC and alkalinity of these amendments. Therefore, this intervention could contribute to improving K fertilizer use and prevent environmental pollution and economical loss to farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are three macronutrients that are crucial in plant growth and development. Deficiency or excess of any or all directly decreases crop yield and quality. There is increasing awareness of the importance of rhizosphere microorganisms in plant growth, nutrient transportation, and nutrient uptake. Little is known about the influence of N, P, and K as nutrients for the optimal production of Chrysanthemum morifolium. In this study, a field experiment was performed to investigate the effects of N, P, and K on the growth, nutrient use efficiency, microbial diversity, and composition of C. morifolium. Significant relationships were evident between N application rates, C. morifolium nutrient use, and plant growth. The N distribution in plant locations decreased in the order of leaf > stem > root; the distributions were closely related to rates of N application. Total P fluctuated slightly during growth. No significant differences were found between total P in the roots, stems, and leaves of C. morifolium vegetative organs. Principle component analysis revealed that combinations of N, P, and K influenced soil nutrient properties through their indirect impact on operational taxonomic units, Shannon index, and abundance of predominant bacterial taxa. Treatment with N, P, and K (600, 120, and 80 mg·plant−1, respectively) significantly improved plant growth and quality and contributed to the bacterial richness and diversity more than other concentrations of N, P, and K. At the flowering time, the plant height, leaf fresh weight, root dry weight, stem and leaf dry weight were increased 10.6%, 19.0%, 40.4%, 27% and 34.0%, respectively, when compared to the CK. The optimal concentrations of N, P, and K had a positive indirect influence on the available soil nutrient content and efficiency of nutrient use by plants by increasing the abundance of Proteobacteria, decreasing the abundance of Actinobacteria, and enhancing the potential functions of nitrogen metabolism pathways. N, P, and K fertilization concentrations of 600, 120, and 80 mg·plant−1 were optimal for C. morifolium cultivation, which could change environmental niches and drive the evolution of the soil microbial community and diversity. Shifts in the composition of soil microbes and functional metabolism pathways, such as ABC transporters, nitrogen metabolism, porphyrin, and the metabolism of chlorophyll II, glyoxylate, and dicarboxylate, greatly affected soil nutrient cycling, with potential feedback on C. morifolium nutrient use efficiency and growth. These results provide new insights into the efficient cultivation and management of C. morifolium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cache Lake, an ultra-oligotrophic Precambrian Shield lake located in Algonquin Provincial Park (Ontario, Canada), was manipulated in the summers of 1946 and 1947 when approximately 9.4 tons (cumulatively) of 12–24–12 (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) fertilizer was added to promote plankton growth and the possible enhancement of fish populations. Little is known about the long-term impacts of this lake manipulation, nor the effects of previous disturbances such as logging in the late-1800s, increased tourism following the extension of the Grand Trunk Railway to Cache Lake in 1895, limited cottage development starting ca. 1905, and subsequent construction of Highway 60 in the 1930s. We used a diatom-based paleolimnological approach to track limnological changes during the past ~ 200 years. Prior to the 1940s, assemblage changes were minimal, although small increases in, for example, Aulacoseira ambigua likely tracked modest nutrient inputs from historical watershed disturbances. The most striking changes were an increase in planktonic Fragilaria tenera and the near extirpation of the previously abundant Discostella stelligera from the sediment record, concurrent with the 1946–1947 lake-fertilization experiment. Although other lake sediment archives in the region record increases in D. stelligera with limnological changes linked to recent climate warming, this taxon never recovered to pre-disturbance abundances in Cache Lake following nutrient enrichment, but continued to be replaced by other planktonic taxa, also linked to recent warming (e.g., F. tenera, Asterionella formosa). The 1940s experimental fertilization has left a long-term legacy on Cache Lake diatoms, despite its return to ultra-oligotrophic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Education & Science is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is an important crop in drought‐prone central Texas. Foliar potassium (K) application and skip‐row planting have the potential to improve productivity of rainfed cotton in this region. The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of skip‐row planting and foliar K on cotton lint yield, biomass, nutrient uptake, and lint quality in rainfed cotton from 2017 to 2020. Foliar K was applied at 0, 20, and 40 kg ha−1. Row arrangement treatments consisted of two planting geometries: 2 × 1 skip row and standard full row. Cotton yield was not affected by foliar K in all years or by row spacing in 2017, 2019, or 2020. In 2018 alone, there was greater lint yield from skip row (530 kg ha−1) compared to full row (423 kg ha−1). The skip‐row treatment resulted in significantly lower vegetative biomass and vegetative K uptake, but improved fiber quality. While foliar K application did not impact lint yield, total biomass and vegetative nitrogen and phosphorus uptake were increased with foliar K. There were year‐to‐year differences in seed and vegetative biomass, nutrient uptake, and lint quality, likely driven by differences in rainfall, with 2018 being unusually dry. Weather variation had more impact on cotton productivity than either treatment. However, given that the skip‐row treatment increased quality and yield in the driest year while not affecting yield in wetter years makes it a viable option for cotton producers looking to reduce costs and increase profits in drought‐prone regions. Core Ideas: Skip‐row (2 × 1) planting increased yield in the driest year and had no yield impact in wetter years.Foliar potassium increased nutrient uptake but had no yield impact.Skip‐row (2 × 1) planting can increase profitability of cotton in drought‐prone regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) exert various effects on strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duchesne) yields. In this study, we employed an orthogonal experimental design (T1-T9) with three fertilization treatments (N, P, and K) at three levels to identify an optimal fertilization scheme for strawberry cultivation. The effects of fertilizer combinations the rhizosphere soil microbial community were also explored by using bacterial full-length 16S rRNA and fungal ITS (internal transcribed spacer) sequencing (30 samples for each analysis). The results showed that the average plant height and leaf area of the fertilized groups were 24.6% and 41.6% higher than those of the non-fertilized group (T0). After 60 d of planting, the sucrase activity in the T6 group increased by 76.67% compared to the T0 group, with phosphate fertilizer exerting a more significant impact on sucrase activity. The T6 treatment group had the highest alpha diversity index among bacterial and fungal microorganisms, and had a different microbial community structure compared with the control group. The most abundant bacterial taxa in the strawberry rhizosphere soil were Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, and Acidobacteriota, and the most abundant fungal phyla were Monoblepharomycota, Glomeromycota, and Mucoromycota. Application of the optimal combined fertilizer treatment (T6) significantly increased the abundance of Proteobacteria and altered the abundance of Gemmatimonas compared to other treatment groups. Notably, Gemmatimonas abundance positively correlated with strawberry plant height and soil N, P, and K levels. These findings indicated that the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria could be enhanced by the application of an optimal fertilizer ratio, ultimately improving strawberry agronomic traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment aimed to study the effects of straw return combined with potassium fertilizer on stem lodging resistance, grain quality, and yield of spring maize. The objective was to provide a scientific basis for the rational utilization of Inner Mongolia spring maize straw and potassium fertilizer resources. The test material used was 'Xianyu 335', and the study was conducted in three ecological regions from east to west of Inner Mongolia (Tumochuan Plain Irrigation Area, Hetao Plain Irrigation Area, and Lingnan Warm Dry Zone). A split-plot design was employed, with the straw return method as the main plot and potassium fertilizer dosage as the secondary plot. We determined the stem resistance index, grain quality, and yield. The results showed that both straw return and potassium application improved stem lodging resistance, grain quality, and maize yield. Combining straw return with the reasonable application of potassium fertilizer enhanced the effectiveness of potassium fertilizer, increased lodging resistance, maize yield, and improved grain quality and yield stability. Under the straw return treatment, with potassium application compared to no potassium application, significant increases were observed in maize plant height, stem diameter, dry weight of stems, stem compressive strength, stem bending strength, grain protein content, yield, straw potassium accumulation content, and soil available potassium content. These increases were up to 30.79 cm, 2.63 mm, 15.40 g, 74.93 N/mm2, 99.65 N/mm2, 13.68%, 3142.43 kg/hm2, 57.97 kg/hm2, and 19.80 mg/kg, respectively. Therefore, the interaction of straw return and potassium fertilizer was found to be the most effective measure for maintaining high-yield and stress-resistant cultivation, improving grain quality, and optimizing the management of straw and potassium fertilizer resources. This approach is suitable for promotion and application in the spring maize growing areas of Inner Mongolia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive usage of chemical fertilizers has detrimental effects on the environment and the safety of food. Conversely, utilizing organic fertilizers such as sage offers several advantages, including cost-effectiveness, soil enhancement, and promotion of root development. A two-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of different potassium fertilizer sources and biofertilizers (specifically Bacillus cereus (MBc)) on potato plants. The experiment employed a split-plot design with three replicates, where the main plot factor was MBc (with and without), and the subplot factor was the sources of potassium fertilizer (control without K fertilizer, 100% Feldspar (FD), 100% Filter cake (FC), 75% FD + 25% FC, 25% FD + 75% FC, and 50% FD + 50% FC). The purpose was to examine the growth response of potato plants to these treatments. The results indicated that all treatments increased plant height, stem count, and tuber dry matter compared to the control. Furthermore, all treatments exhibited a higher uptake of macronutrients (N, P, and K) compared to the control. Notably, the plants treated with 100FC combined with MBc showed a significant 104.74% increase in total tuber weight compared to the control treatment. Additionally, the addition of 100FC with MBc significantly enhanced the availability of N, P, and K by 73.13%, 110.33%, and 51.88% respectively, compared to the control treatment. Apart from the biofertilizers, the individual application of FC and its combination with FD also demonstrated positive effects on soil fertility, potato growth, and yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saline-alkali soil is a major threat to global food security. Phosphorus (P) fertilizer is essential for crop growth and yield production. Nevertheless, the optimal phosphate fertilizer application rates for summer maize under coastal saline–alkali soil are still unclear. A field experiment with five phosphate application rates (0, 45, 90, 135, and 180 kg ha−1, referred to as T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5, respectively) was conducted during the 2018–2020 summer maize seasons study the effects of phosphate rates on the grain yield, biomass, and nitrogen (N), P and potassium (K) accumulation, and N, P, and K physiological efficiency (denoted as NPE, PPE and KPE, respectively). Results showed that P application notably improved maize grain and biomass yield, the total uptake of N, P, K, and NPE and KPE across three seasons. As the P addition increased to 135 kg ha−1, the grain yield achieved a maximum of 7168.4 kg ha−1, with an average NPE of 2.15 kg kg−1, PPE of 0.19 kg kg−1, and KPE of 1.49 kg kg−1. However, PPE continuously decreased with the input of phosphate. P application rates exceeding 135 kg ha−1 were not considered effective due to a decline in grain yield, nutrient uptake, and NPE. Furthermore, the effect of the planting season was significant on the total uptake of N and K, and the use efficiency of N, P, and K. TOPSIS revealed that a phosphate application rate of 90–135 kg ka−1 was the optimal pattern for maize production. These results may give a theoretical basis for the phosphate management of maize production in saline–alkali soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Large amounts of potash fertilizer are often applied to apple (Malus domestica) orchards to enhance fruit quality and yields, but this treatment aggravates KCl‐based salinity stress. Melatonin (MT) is involved in a variety of abiotic stress responses in plants. However, its role in KCl stress tolerance is still unknown. In the present study, we determined that an appropriate concentration (100 μm) of MT significantly alleviated KCl stress in Malus hupehensis by enhancing K+ efflux out of cells and compartmentalizing K+ in vacuoles. Transcriptome deep‐sequencing analysis identified the core transcription factor gene MdWRKY53, whose expression responded to both KCl and MT treatment. Overexpressing MdWRKY53 enhanced KCl tolerance in transgenic apple plants by increasing K+ efflux and K+ compartmentalization. Subsequently, we characterized the transporter genes MdGORK1 and MdNHX2 as downstream targets of MdWRKY53 by ChIP‐seq. MdGORK1 localized to the plasma membrane and enhanced K+ efflux to increase KCl tolerance in transgenic apple plants. Moreover, overexpressing MdNHX2 enhanced the KCl tolerance of transgenic apple plants/callus by compartmentalizing K+ into the vacuole. RT–qPCR and LUC activity analyses indicated that MdWRKY53 binds to the promoters of MdGORK1 and MdNHX2 and induces their transcription. Taken together, our findings reveal that the MT‐WRKY53‐GORK1/NHX2‐K+ module regulates K+ homeostasis to enhance KCl stress tolerance in apple. These findings shed light on the molecular mechanism of apple response to KCl‐based salinity stress and lay the foundation for the practical application of MT in salt stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhubarb is a popular food in Europe due to the purgative action. Cultivation is the key way to ensure sustainable development and utilization of this herbal plant. In this paper, standardized cultivation of Rheum tanguticum (a kind of rhubarb) was explored through a three-year field experiment which investigated the effect of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilizer on growth indexes, sennoside content of R. tanguticum at different harvesting stages. Results showed that P and K fertilizer significantly increased root length, root diameter and root fresh weight, the maximum root fresh weight was 894.22 g/plant. Sennoside content of three-year-old R. tanguticum applied K fertilizer was over 5.87% at each harvesting stage in the third growth cycle and it increased along with growing year. Sennoside content has no obviously increment at the same harvesting stage, it also has no positive correlation with different harvesting stages and the wilting stage > green stage > growth stage in the same year. This study demonstrated that P and K fertilizer had accelerated effect on growth of R. tanguticum at the same harvesting stage, but had no obvious influence on the sennoside content. This will provide experimental data and guidance for the standardized cultivation of R. tanguticum. The effect of different fertilizer (P, K) doses, harvesting stages and growth years on growth indexes and sennosides contents of R. tanguticum was firstly explored. A modified HPLC detective method was developed to quantify the sennosides content of R. tanguticum. The effect of different fertilizer doses on growth indexes of R. tanguticum was firstly explored. Variation of sennoside content after applying fertilizers was firstly explored. The effect of harvesting stages on growth indexes and sennosides contents was firstly explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment was conducted using Potato( Solanum tuberosum L.) at the eastern Radwaniyah at private field during fall season 2020/2021 and spring 2021 to study the effect of nitrogen levels to 350, 275, 200 kg N h-1 ( N1, N2, N3) and phosphorous to 100, 180, 360 kg P2O5 h-1 ( P1, P2, P3) and potassium to 100, 200, 300 kg K2O h-1 ( K1, K2, K3) to vegetative growth and yield of industrial potato, The seeds of the hybrid potato Sinora, Class A, were planted in the fall season on 15/9/2020 and Elite in the spring season on 31/1/2021. The experimental fertilizers were added in four batches and in proportions according to the stages of plant age, Factorial experiment with RCBD using three replications. The results showed that changing the levels of the elements used to N3, P3, K3 led to a significant increases in most traits of vegetative growth for both seasons, while the change of phosphorous and potassium levels to P2 and K3 had a significant effect on the quantitative and qualitative yield for both seasons. The N1P2K3 interaction gave the highest marketable tuber weight, marketable yield plant-1, total yield for the fall and spring seasons, and the highest percentage of dry matter in tubers in the fall season [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents the fabrication of potassium chloride encapsulated in starch–alginate matrix, crosslinked by calcium chloride to form hydrogel bead. Sixteen formulations (S1–S16) were designed in four levels sodium alginate (SA 0.5% w/v to 2.0% w/v) and potassium chloride (KCl 5% w/v to 20% w/v) with 10% w/v starch and 0.75 M calcium chloride. The analysis reviewed that a higher concentration of sodium alginate, coupled with a lower KCl concentration, results in enhanced encapsulation efficiency. Notably, hydrogel beads formulated with higher concentrations of SA exhibited a more uniform, spherical shape with compact surfaces. Higher SA concentration has lower the swelling of the beads and therefore reduces its potassium release in general. In another word, with higher SA concentration, the release rate was at a better control to the expected release timeframe. On the contrary, it was also observed that the sample's dissolution in water after 24 h increased with the rising SA content. A higher concentration of sodium alginate led to an increased biodegradation rate, with the biodegradation rate increasing by 25% as the SA concentration was raised from 0.5% to 2% over a period of 5 days. In conclusion, this study represents a preliminary exploration into the viability of encapsulating potassium within a starch/SA matrix, with the optimal ratio of starch, alginate, and potassium was found to be 10:2:5. The significance of this work lies in its potential applications within agricultural practices, particularly in drought‐prone regions, owing to its hydrogel properties. By precisely tailoring the starch, alginate, and potassium ratios, this study opens avenues for further advancements in sustainable nutrient delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The remediation of organic-contaminated soil using microwave heating is widely concerned because of its advantages of low-cost, high efficiency, and short processing time. In the present work, the bluecoke-based conditioner (KHCO3@BC) prepared by ultrasonic impregnation was employed to further improve the removal efficiency of naphthalene. The removal efficiency of naphthalene and the characteristics of remediated soil and by-products were investigated via experimental calculation, analysis of physical and chemical properties of soils, field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Besides, the removal process of naphthalene in microwave remediation was presented. Results indicated that the maximal removal of naphthalene by using KHCO3@BC-assisted microwave remediation reached 96.46% with the highest temperature of 575 ℃, when 4 wt% of KHCO3@BC conditioner was added, microwave power was 700 W, and heating time was 25 min. The content of total K and available K in remediated soil rose to 2.03 and 0.51 g/kg, thus improving the inorganic fertilizer of remediated soil. The size of soil particles significantly decreased after microwave remediation, which optimized the mechanical component of remediated soil. The removal process of naphthalene in microwave remediation mainly contained the gas stripping and naphthalene vaporization. The prepared KHCO3@BC conditioner could realize the removal of contaminants, and increase K fertilizer for acid organic-contaminated soils in microwave remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lilium davidii var. unicolor (Lanzhou lily) is rich in nutrients, making it an important economic plant widely used in the fields of food and medicine. In this study, potted lily bulbs were treated with nutrient solutions containing K+ and nutrient solutions without K+ (CK and KT). The contents of nutrients in lily bulbs at different stages after treatment were compared. It was found that the application of potassium fertilizers increased the content of total phenols, flavonoids, and flavanols in lily bulbs and the antioxidant activity in the bulbs. Simultaneously, the study observed that potassium fertilizers could impact the accumulation of polysaccharides and saponins. Furthermore, employing non-targeted metabolomics, the secondary metabolites of mature Lanzhou lily bulbs were scrutinized both with and without potassium fertilization (KT and CK). A total of 607 metabolites were identified, including 573 in positive ion mode and 34 in negative ion mode. These metabolites were classified into 13 categories at the superclass level, with lipids and lipid molecules (37.93%), organic acids and their derivatives (16.52%), organic oxygen compounds (14.88%), and phenylpropanoids and polyketides (13.61%) being the most prominent. Differential metabolite enrichment analysis between the experimental and control groups showed that the differential metabolites were mainly concentrated in metabolic pathways related to amino acid biosynthesis, such as arginine and proline metabolism, beta-alanine metabolism, alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism. Additionally, it was found that the application of potassium fertilizer increased the accumulation of amino acids in Lanzhou lily bulbs. Overall, this study provides a theoretical reference for the development of nutrients and efficient cultivation techniques for L. davidii var. unicolor bulbs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pot experiment was conducted to examine the effect of co-application of phosphorus (P) and/or potassium (K) fertilizer to a soil layer on Mung bean (Vigna radiata R. Wilczek) grown in a Yellow Chromosol soil. We hypothesized that adding K to a P- enriched soil layer would increase recovery of K due to increased root proliferation. Layers enriched with P, K or a combination of P and K were placed at either 5 or 20 cm depth in 50 cm deep pots, and a uniform PK application treatment included for comparison. Mung bean was grown for 45 days and key growth and nutrient uptake attributes were assessed. Phosphorus application increased shoot and root dry matter yield and shoot yield was 40% higher in the shallow P treatment and 77% higher in the shallow PK than in the uniform PK treatment. Shallow co-application of P and K increased shoot P and K content compared with shallow P alone. Apparent P fertilizer recovery (%PAFR) followed the same pattern, and there was an 8 to 12-fold increase in %KAFR. There was no evidence of an increase in either the proportion or mass density of roots in the enriched soil layers in any treatment. P and K fertilizer use efficiency was maximized by co-application in an enriched soil layer. When multiple nutrient deficiencies occur co-application of nutrients in a soil layer accessible to roots maximizes fertilizer use efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop targeted yield-based integrated nutrient recommendation of sesame, soil test-based crop response field studies on major nutrients were undertaken during two consecutive seasons (2016 and 2017) in an Inceptisol. For this, quantitative estimations of basic parameters viz. nutrient requirement (NR), percentage contribution of nutrients from soil (CS); from fertilizer (CF); from farm yard manure (CFYM) were done. The essential informations obtained from soil and crop testing were used for development of fertilizer prescription equations for different nutrient management practices using organic (FYM) and inorganic chemical fertilizer alone or in combinations. The mean nutrient requirement for the production of 100 kg of sesame grain was 6.98, 1.61 and 3.92 kg of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), respectively. The CS, CF and CFYM values were 21.84, 49.35 and 6.95 for N; 40.23, 26.25 and 4.57 for P; 12.80, 53.13 and 4.07 for K, respectively. Those parameters were used for preparation of ready reckoners of fertilizer prescription for range of soil test values of N, P and K to get targeted yield (±5 to ±10% of potential yield of variety) of 9 q/ha for sesame grain using FYM and inorganic chemical fertilizer alone or in combinations. Amount of N, P and K fertilizer could be reduced by a significant amount if fertilizers were applied on soil test basis in integration with FYM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional potassium chloride granules have inefficient applications in agricultural production due to particle irregularity and low fluidity. The application of controlled-release potassium chloride could increase the potassium-use efficiency and alleviate the shortage of potassium ore resources. In this study, a well-rounded potassium chloride fertilizer core was prepared, using the graft modification of polyurea to enhance the coating rate and release performance. The adhesive and tensile characteristics of the modified polyurea binder, as well as the granule properties of modified polyurea binder potassium chloride, were studied to determine the ideal lignin-grafted ratio. The effect of the modified polyurea binder with potassium chloride on the properties of coated fertilizer was investigated. The findings, shown by radar maps of the binder's properties, demonstrated that the ideal mass ratio of the modified lignin polyurea binder to urea is 1:2. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy results demonstrated that the amino functional groups of lignin were enhanced, improving the product's interfacial compatibility with the polyurea matrix. Compared to humic acid (HA; 12%) and bentonite (Ben; 30%) treatments, the granule intensity of the 9.9%—1:2 treatment considerably increased by 139.10% and 38.86%, respectively, while the static angle of the granules reduced by 16.67% and 3.81%. The 28-day cumulative release rate of the modified polyurea (9.9%—2:1) with a 5% coating thickness was the lowest (28%), 42% lower than that of the lowest conventional treatment. In summary, the creation of a bio-lignin polyurea binder under the optimum conditions reduced the need for petrochemical-based materials, allowed the preparation of fertilizer with granules of increased fluidity, and enabled the successful coating of a high-salt potassium fertilizer, offering a novel technique for the high-value application of potash fertilizer coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean is the main leguminous crop in Brazil, mostly grown in tropical soils with low potassium (K) availability. Therefore, the identification of new genotypes with efficient K uptake and utilization in environments with low exchangeable K content is an economically viable alternative to maximize crop yield in Brazil. A study was conducted to investigate the response of 25 modern high-yield soybean genotypes for K-use efficiency in a sandy tropical soil of the Brazilian Cerrado. Treatments were distributed in a completely randomized design in a 2 × 25 factorial scheme: two levels of K fertilization [20 mg K dm−3 (low level) or 200 mg K dm−3 (high level)] and 25 soybean genotypes with three replicates. Plant morphological traits, leaf K, and crop production components were measured. Based on grain production data, K-use efficiency (KUE) and response efficiency (RE) to K fertilization were calculated. Leaf area, shoot dry matter, pod number per plant, 1000-grain weight, and grain yield were the crop characteristics most limited by low soil K availability. The soybean genotypes "TMG7061 IPRO", "BMX Bônus IPRO", "RK6719 IPRO", and "RK8317 IPRO" were classified as efficient in the use of soil K and are the most suitable genotypes to be cultivated in agricultural soils with low K availability. The genotypes "98R35 IPRO", "HO Maracaí IPRO", "BMX Bônus IPRO", and "RK7518 IPRO" were classified as responsive to K fertilization and are the most recommended genotypes for cultivation in agricultural areas with the application of high K fertilizer rates. The genotype "BMX Bônus IPRO" simultaneously combines characteristics of K-use efficiency and response to K fertilization and hence can be grown in both K-deficient and optimal soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For improvement and rational use of rainfed lands, a study on the influence of different tillage methods proceeded on the soil-water physical relationship and soil agrochemical properties in Southeast Kazakhstan. In the arable soil layer (0-30 cm), the soil density during the studied crop's life from sowing to harvesting, enhanced to a medium compacted state with the traditional method of tillage (1.28-1.29 g/cm3), slightly higher with the minimum tillage (1.30-1.31 g/cm3), and the highest with zero tillage (1.32-1.33 g/cm3). Tillage with better crumbling, dissolution, and superior ingestion of plant vestiges in the cultivated soil layer contributed to a slight decrease in soil density, both with traditional and minimum tillage regimes. Given the least rainfall in summer, there was a decline in the productive moisture reserves in the soil with customary tillage (15.9-34.5 mm). However, the soil moisture enhanced gradually with reduced tillage, i.e., minimal tillage (20.7-36.7 mm) and zero tillage (29.8-54.8 mm). The nitrate nitrogen content in the soil also decreased from the initial state to the cultivated crops' harvest, and a significant decrease emerged with zero tillage. The prolonged rainless period, accompanied by a decline in relative air humidity, soil moisture, and temperature increases, affected plants' physiological processes and, eventually, the studied crops' yield. In the studied crops, on average, acquiring the highest yield of 1.76 t/ha was with minimal tillage. Based on two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), the contributed share of the crops in the grain yield formation was according to crop season, ranging from 0.73% to 2.89%, and the soil cultivation methods' share was 83.3%-93.8%. The grain yield formation has a greater dependence on the tillage regimes, although that reliance might vary in association with weather conditions during the crop life. In rainfed conditions of Southeast Kazakhstan, zero tillage results in a significant reduction in nitrate nitrogen compared with conventional and minimum tillage. Therefore, with no tillage, more nitrogen fertilizer is necessary than usual plowing and the application of potash fertilizers, regardless of tillage methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water deficiency, is one of the most important environmental stresses, resulting in serious yield reductions in wheat production. Enhanced wheat resistance to drought stress has been attributed to silicon (Si). Therefore, two field experiments were conducted in order to study the effects of two potassium silicate treatments, mineral or nano form, under water stress on the growth and yield performance of three wheat cultivars. Experimental design, was a split split-plot design, with three replications. Drought stress significantly reduced grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, and biomass of all wheat cultivars. In contrast, foliar-applied silicon, significantly increased these parameters and reduced electrolyte leakage. The results suggested that water stress during vegetative and reproductive development is equally injurious to wheat, and adequate water supply throughout crop development is essential to harvest maximum biological potential. In conclusion, the foliar application of silicon was very effective in indorsing tolerance of wheat plants to drought conditions by maintaining cellular membrane integrity and relative water content and increasing grain yield, and biomass of all wheat cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil fertility problem is a major constraint to faba bean production in Wolaita Zone in Ethiopia. Hence, a field experiment was conducted in Kokate Marachare sub-district during 2019 and 2020 cropping seasons to determine the optimum N, P, and K fertilizers for enhanced uptake and use efficiency of faba bean. Three rates of N (0, 23, and 46 kg N ha-1), P (0, 46, and 92 kg P2O5 ha-1), and K fertilizer (0, 30, and 60 kg K2O ha-1) were tested using RCBD with three replications. Data on agronomic efficiency (AE), agrophysiological efficiency (APE), apparent recovery efficiency (ARE), and utilization efficiency of N, P, and K nutrients were analyzed. The results revealed N, P, and K uptake efficiency (UE) indices of faba bean were significantly influenced by the main effects of the rate of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers. Thus, applying 23 kg N ha-1, 46 kg P2O5 ha-1, and 30 kg K2O ha-1 resulted higher N, P, and K AE, respectively (33.70 kg kg-1, 13.43 kg kg-1, and 27.32 kg kg-1); PE (76.87 kg kg-1, 104.51 kg kg-1, and 118.83 kg kg-1); APE (40.49 kg kg-1, 104.51 kg kg-1, and 68.07 kg kg-1); ARE (84.48%, 2.00%, and 40.30%); and UE (63.47 kg kg-1, 2.52 kg kg-1, and 56.08 kg kg-1). Therefore, 23 kg N ha-1, 46 kg P2O 5ha-1, and 30 kg K2O ha-1 are recommended for the higher N, P, and K uptake and use efficiency of faba bean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] The present paper aimed to clarify the expression pattern and molecular regulation mechanism of genes related to sugar, lipid and protein metabolism in maize ear leaves under different fertilization in field conditions. [ Method] Maize cultivar 'Luyu 16' was used as the material and five treatments were set up: No fertilizer (CK), nitrogen fertilizer ( N), N + P fertilizer (NP), N + K fertilizer ( NK) and N + P + K fertilizer ( NPK). At grain filling stage, the upper part of ear leaves was harvested for transcriptome analysis using RNA-Seq techniques. The differentially expressed genes ( DEGs) under different fertilizer treatments were analyzed by Hisat2 software. [Result]GO(Gene ontology)analysis showed that DEGs related to sugar, lipid and protein metabolism were enriched in Biological process ( BP), Cell components( CC) and Molecular function( MF). Although the enriched items were the same, the number of DEGs varied under different combinations. KEGG ( Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes) analysis exhibited that more DEGs were enriched in carbon metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, and amino acid synthesis pathways. The total number of DEGs with both I log2 FC I > 1 and P < 0. 05 involved in sugar, lipid and protein metabolism under different fertilizer treatments was 82, 29 and 84, respectively. Among them, the total number of DE Gs with I log2 FC I > 2 was 6, 24 and 17. The number of DE Gs showed the maximum in comparisons of NPvsCK and NPKvsCK but the minimum in NvsCK comparison. Further analysis of DEGs with I log2 FC I showed that these DEGs had significant differences in the expression level and expression patterns. [ Conclusion] The combined of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus fertilizer significantly affected the transcription levels of genes related to sugar, lipid and protein amino acids metabolism in maize ear leaves. Some key genes participating in the three organic substances' metabolism were identified. The results provided molecular basis for improving the photosynthetic efficiency of maize leaves by rational fertilization in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Undoubtedly, the importance of food and food security as one of the present and future challenges is not invisible to anyone. Nowadays, the development of methods for monitoring the nutrient content in crop products is an essential issue for implementing reasonable and logical soil properties management. The modeling technique can evaluate the soil properties of fields and study the subject of crop yield through soil management. This study aims to predict fruit yield and macro-nutrient content in plant organs of Cucumis melo in response to soil elements using support vector regression (SVR). Methodology. In the spring of 2020, this study was done as a factorial test in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The first factor was the use of fertilizers in six levels: no fertilizer (control), cow manure (30 t ha-1) sheep manure (30 t ha-1), nanobiomic foliar application (2 l ha-1), silicone foliar application (3 l ha-1), and chemical fertilizer from urea, triple superphosphate, and potassium sulfate sources (200, 100, and 150 kg ha-1). In addition, four levels of vermicompost considering as the second factor: no vermicompost (control), 5, 10, and 15 t ha-1. Input data sets such as fruit yield and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels in the seeds, fruits, leaves, and roots are used to calibrate the probabilistic model of SP using SVR. Results. According to the results, when the data sets of the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the fruit uses as input, the accuracy of these models was higher than 80.0% (R² = 0.807 for predicting fruit nitrogen; R² = 0.999 for fruit phosphorus; R² = 0.968 for fruit potassium). Also, the results of the prediction models in response to soil elements showed that the soil nitrogen content ranged from 0.05 to 1.1%, soil phosphorus from 10 to 59 mg kg-1, and soil potassium from 180 to 320 mg kg-1, which offers a suitable macro-nutrient content in the soil. Likewise, the best fruit nitrogen content ranged from 1.27 to 4.33%, fruit phosphorus from 15.74 to 26.19%, fruit potassium from 15.19 to 19.67%, and fruit yield from 2.16 to 5.95 kg per plant obtained under NPK chemical fertilizers and using 15 t hawhich offers a suitable macro-nutrient content in the soil. Likewise, the best fruit nitrogen content ranged from 1.27 to 4.33%, fruit phosphorus from 15.74 to 26.19%, fruit potassium from 15.19 to 19.67%, and fruit yield from 2.16 to 5.95 kg per plant obtained under NPK chemical fertilizers and using 15 t ha-1 of vermicompost. Conclusions. Because the fruit values had the highest contribution in prediction than observed values, thus identified as the best plant organs in response to soil elements. Based on our findings, the importance of fruit phosphorus identifies as a determinant that strongly influenced melon prediction models. More significant values of soil elements do not affect increasing fruit yield and macro-nutrient content in plant organs, and excessive application may not be economical. Therefore, our studies provide an efficient approach with potentially high accuracy to estimate fruit yield and macronutrient in the fruits of Cucumis melo in response to soil elements and cause a saving in the amount of fertilizer during the growing season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Japan, additional potassium fertilization is used as a countermeasure for radiocesium-contaminated grasslands in the Tohoku and North Kanto regions. A 2-year pot experiment was conducted to assess the efficacy of using tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), a low-cesium-absorption grass species, to replace orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), the most common forage grass species in these regions, to reduce potassium fertilization and improve the forage mineral balance. The treatments were a combination of two grass species (tall fescue and orchardgrass) and two potassium application rates (0 [K0] and three times the conventional amount [K3]) with four replications. The grass species and potassium application rate had significant (p < .001) effects on plant cesium-137 concentrations. The results of the generalized linear mixed-model analysis indicated that when tall fescue replaced orchardgrass, cesium-137 in the forage grass was reduced to 34% and that the K3 treatment reduced cesium-137 to 46% relative to the K0 treatment. The difference in cesium-137 concentration between the two grass species increased as the soil exchangeable K2O content decreased. The equations for estimating the cesium-137 concentration (y [g/kg]) from the exchangeable K2O content (x [g/kg]) were obtained as y = 63.7e-2.095x for tall fescue and y = 185.5e-3.327x for orchardgrass. These equations indicate that tall fescue cultivation can reduce the risk of elevated radioactive Cs in the grass by reducing potassium fertilizer to approximately half that of orchardgrass. There were no differences in the response of plant potassium concentrations or the potassium/(calcium + magnesium) equivalent ratio to soil exchangeable K2O content among the grass species. However, the mineral balance of forage can be improved by reducing potassium fertilizer applications for cesium-137 remediation. Tall fescue has good potential to remediate contaminated grasslands as it reduces additional potassium fertilization and improves the mineral balance of forage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In order to achieve high yields and environmental friendliness simultaneously, the replacement of chemical fertilizers by manure has become a research hotspot in recent years. Roots absorb nitrogen, participate in its assimilation and contribute to the cereal's dry matter accumulation. A 5‐year filed experiment in the North China Plain was initiated to assess the response of root morphology and distribution of summer maize (Zea mays L.) to fertilizer application and contribution to crop yield. The treatments included CK (unfertilized control), NPK (inorganic nitrogen/phosphorus/potassium fertilizer) and NPKM (manure + 70% NPK). We determined the root biomass, root diameter, root length density (RLD) of three diameters (>0.8 mm, 1stRLD; 0.2–0.8 mm, 2ndRLD; <0.2 mm, 3rdRLD) and the soil chemical properties at 60 cm with 10 cm increments. At 40–60 cm, NPKM significantly decreased the root diameter than NPK. Fertilization showed no effect on total RLD, 1stRLD, 2ndRLD and 3rdRLD for a 60‐cm soil profile. At 40–50 cm, the NPKM increased the RLD compared to NPK, mainly by increasing the 2ndRLD and 3rdRLD. Under CK and NPK, root lengths of 0–20 cm made up 62% and 57% of the total root length, respectively. Under NPKM, root lengths of 40–60 cm made up 46% of the total root length. Our results indicate that maize yield was preserved after replacing 30% of N fertilizer with manure, presumably depending on the change of root vertical distribution pattern and increase of the fine root length in deeper soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effect of potassium fertilizer sources and level on sesame growth and yield in two different gypsum soils, two experiments were applied throughout the summer of 2022. The experiments included three factors, which were sources of potassium, potassium sulfate (KK2SO4) and potassium chloride (KKCL), potassium levels, 0 (K00), 75 (K75), 150 (K150), and 300 (K300) kg ha-1, and levels of gypsum in the soil, 6.02 (Soil06.02) and 15.87 (Soil15.87) %. Completely Random Block Design (CRBD) with three replications was used to apply the experiments. The results indicated that KK2SO4 significantly impacted plant height (18%), plant dry weight (8%), branch no (11%), capsules no. (5%), 1000 seeds weight (13%), yield (13%), and oil percentage (9%) compared with KKCL. Similarly, potassium at K300 was significantly higher compared with the other potassium levels. Also, gypsum Soil15.87 significantly impacted plant height (11%), dry weight (11%), capsules no. (5%), 1000 seeds weight (19%), yield (11%), and oil percentage (12%) compared with gypsum soil with 6%. The interactions between the two study factors and among the three study factors effected significantly all the study traits. These results will be beneficial for sesame production and management in the Saladin area, Iraq.

The purpose of this publication is to inform cotton producers, Extension agents, crop advisors, and consultants about the role, deficiency, and management of potassium in cotton production. Written by Kulpreet Singh, Hardeep Singh, Peter Omara, Nkem J. Nwosu, Jennifer Bearden, Ravinder Singh, and Lakesh K. Sharma, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, January 2024.