Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer
ASPHC Baner

Vol. 17 No. 5 (2018)

Articles

ROOT GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS OF KHATOUNI MELON SEEDLINGS AS AFFECTED BY POTASSIUM NUTRITION

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/asphc.2018.5.17
Submitted: 30 November 2018
Published: 30.11.2018

Abstract

Khatouni melons are a major horticultural crop that is produced mainly in semi arid and arid regions of Iran. The plant root characteristics can significantly affect many growth traits, including water and nutrients uptake under such dry conditions. On the other hand, nutrient elements concentration and their ratios can strongly affect the root morphophysiological and structure. In this study, the growth and root system characteristics of Khatouni melon was evaluated under various potassium (K) levels of nutrient solution. A rhizobox system with sand-hydroponic culture was applied. Hoagland formula was used for nutrient solution preparation, and different potassium levels of 0, 59, 118, 176 and 235 mg L–1 K of nutrient solution were applied to plants, while other nutrients were kept relatively unchanged. The results showed that the highest shoot fresh weight, leaf area and SPAD value were at 235 or 176 mg L–1 K, whereas the root characteristics were affected by K treatments in different patterns. The highest root fresh weight was in plants treated with 118 mg L–1 K, whereas root dry weight was significantly lower in treatment without K nutrition than other K levels of nutrient solution. Plant root diameter was thickest at 176 mg L–1 K and it was longest at 118 mg L–1 K, whereas the shortest roots were at 235 mg L–1 K of nutrient solution. Root area was the highest at 118, 176 and 235 mg L–1 K of nutrient solution. Root nutrient concentration of N, K, P, Ca and Fe was the highest at 118 or 176 mg L–1 K; however, the lowest amount of root Mg and Fe was in plants treated with 235 mg L–1 K. For other traits of root and shoot growth, the lowest records were in treatment without K nutrition. The results indicate that shoot or root growth characteristics of Khatouni melon can be improved by moderate to high, or moderate potassium levels. 

References

  1. Cerda, A., Pardines, J., Botella, M.A., Martinez, V. (2008). Effect of potassium on growth, water relations, and the inorganic and organic solute contents for two maize cultivars grown under saline conditions. J. Plant Nutr., 18(4), 839–851.
  2. De Dorlodot, S., Forster, B., Pagcs, L., Price, A., Tuberosa, R., Draye, X. (2007). Root system architecture: opportunities and constraints for genetic improvement of crops. Trends Plant Sci., 12, 474–481.
  3. Hermans, C., Hammond, J.P., White, P.J., Verbruggen, N. (2006). How do plants respond to nutrient shortage by biomass allocation? Trends Plant Sci., 11(12), 610–617.
  4. Jia, Y.B., Yang, X.E., Feng, Y., Jilani, G., (2008). Differential response of root morphology to potassium deficient stress among rice genotypes varying in potassium efficiency. J. Zhejiang Univ. Sci. B, 9(5), p. 427.
  5. Lester, G.E., Jifon J.L., Makus, D.J. (2010). Impact of potassium nutrition on food quality of fruits and vegetables: a condensed and concise review of the literature. Better Crops, 94, 18–21.
  6. Marschner, H. (2011). Marschner’s mineral nutrition of higher plants. Third Edition, Academic Press, London.
  7. Nurzyńska-Wierdak, R., Dzida, K., Rożek, E., Jarosz, Z., (2012). Effects of nitrogen and potassium fertilization on growth, yield and chemical composition of garden rocket. Acta Sci. Pol. Hortorum Cultus, 11(2), 289–300.
  8. Nurzyńska-Wierdak, R., Rożek, E., Borowski, B. (2011). Response of different basil cultivars to nitrogen and potassium fertilization: total and mineral nitrogen content in herb. Acta Sci. Pol., Hortorum Cultus, 10(4), 217–232.
  9. Rengel, Z., Damon, P.M. (2008). Crops and genotypes differ in efficiency of potassium uptake and use. Physiol. Plant., 133(4), 624–636.
  10. Römheld, V., Kirkby, E.A (2010). Research on pota- ssium in agriculture: needs and prospects. Plant Soil, 335(1–2), 155–180.
  11. Sangakkara, U.R., Hartwig, U.A., Nösberger, J. (1996). Response of root branching and shoot water potentials of french beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to soil moisture and fertilizer potassium. J. Agron. Crop Sci., 177(3), 165–173.
  12. Schachtman, D., Shin, R. (2007). Nutrient sensing and signaling: NPKS. Annu. Rev. Plant Biol. 58, 47–69.
  13. Souri, M.K. (2016). Aminochelate fertilizers: the new approach to the old problem; a review. Open Agric., 1, 118–123.
  14. Steingrobe, B., Schmid, H. and Claassen, N. (2000). The use of ingrowth core method for measuring root production of arable crops–influence of soil conditions inside the ingrowth core on root growth. Z. Pflanzenernäh. Bodenkd., (163), 617–622.
  15. Van den Driessche, R. (1992). Changes in drought resistance and root growth capacity of container seedlings in response to nursery drought, nitrogen, and potassium treatments. Can. For. Res., 22(5), 740–749.
  16. Wang, YI., Wu, W.H. (2010). Plant sensing and signaling in response to K1-Deficiency. Mol. Plant, 3, 280–287.
  17. Wright, S.J., Yavitt, J.B., Wurzburger, N., Turner, B.L., Tanner, E.V., Sayer, E.J., Santiago, L.S., Kaspari, M., Hedin, L.O., Harms, K.E., Garcia, M.N. (2011). Potassium, phosphorus, or nitrogen limit root allocation, tree growth, or litter production in a lowland tropical forest. Ecology, 92(8), 1616–1625.
  18. Wu, Y., Hu, Y., Xu, G. (2009). Interactive effects of potassium and sodium on root growth and expression of K/Na transporter genes in rice. Plant Growth Regul., 57(3), 271–280.
  19. Wurzburger, N., Wright, S.J. (2015). Fine‐root responses to fertilization reveal multiple nutrient limitation in a lowland tropical forest. Ecology, 96(8), 2137–2146.
  20. Zhang, Z.Y., Qing-Lian, W.A.N.G., Zhao-Hu, L.I., Liu-Sheng, D.U.A.N., Xiao-Li, T.I.A.N. (2009). Effects of potassium deficiency on root growth of cotton seedlings and its physiological mechanisms. Acta Agron. Sin., 35(4), 718–723.
  21. Zhao, X.H., Yu, H.Q., Jing, W.E.N., Wang, X.G., Qi, D., Jing, W.A.N.G., Qiao, W. (2016). Response of root morphology, physiology and endogenous hormones in maize (Zea mays L.) to potassium deficiency. J. Integr. Agric., 15(4), 785–794.
  22. Zivdar, S.H., Arzani, K., Souri, M.K., Moallemi, N., Seyyednejad, S.M. (2016). Physiological and biochemical response of olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivars to foliar potassium application. J. Agric. Sci. Technol., 18, 1897–1908
  23. Zörb, C., Senbayram, M., Peiter, E., (2014). Potassium in agriculture – status and perspectives. J. Plant Physiol., 171(9), 656–669.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Similar Articles

<< < 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.