Role of potassium in enhancing growth, yield and quality of maize (Zea mays L.)

210 Ali et al. Int. J. Biosci. 2020 RESEARCH PAPER OPEN ACCESS Role of potassium in enhancing growth, yield and quality of maize ( Zea mays L.) Amjed Ali1, Muhammad Adnan1*, Muhammad Ehsan Safdar1, Muhammad Asif1, Athar Mahmood2, Mubashar Nadeem2, Muhammad Arshad Javed3, Salman Ahmad4, Rafi Qamar1, Hafiz Muhammad Bilal5, Bilal Ahmad Khan1, Muhammad Mohsin Amin1, Ali Raza1 1Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Pakistan 2Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan 3Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Pakistan 4Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Pakistan 5Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Pakistan Key words: Maize, Production, Nutrients, Potassium, Yield. http://dx.doi.org/10.12692/ijb/16.6.210-219 Article published on June 29, 2020 Abstract Maize (Zea mays L.) is very important crop which serve as both food and feed purpose. Its average production is very low than its potential yield due to inadequate level nutrients application particularly potassium (K). Therefore, a trial was laid out at COA, UOS, Pakistan to evaluate the effect of different doses of potassium on maize. Five different doses of potassium (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg ha-1) were applied under RCBD with three number of replications. Data regarding plant height (cm), cob length (cm), cob diameter (cm), no. of grains row per cob, no. of grains per row, no. of grains per cob, grain yield (kg ha-1), 1000-grain weight (g), biological yield (kg ha-1), harvest index (%), crude protein (%) and crude oil (%) were noted by standard procedures. Results indicated that highest plant height (210.47 cm), cob length (21.56 cm), cob diameter (6.83cm), no. of grains rows per cob (16.43), no. of grains per row (38.63), no. of grains per cob (593.43), grain yield (8089kg ha-1), 1000grain weight (439.53 g), biological yield (26015kg ha-1), crude protein (7.66 %) and crude oil (3.66%) were found. It is concluded from the experiment that potassium level (160 kg ha-1) is optimum for achieving maximum yield of maize crop. * Corresponding Author: Muhammad Adnan  [email protected]om International Journal of Biosciences | IJB | ISSN: 2220-6655 (Print), 2222-5234 (Online) http://www.innspub.net Vol. 16, No. 6, p. 210-219, 2020 211 Ali et al. Int. J. Biosci. 2020 Introduction In all over the world Maize (Zea mays L.) crop is used both for food and feed purpose (Asif et al., 2020). In Pakistan, maize ranks 3rd among the cereal crops after rice and wheat (Bukhsh et al., 2011). Maize is cultivated in subtropical, tropical, and temperate provinces of all world therefore, this crop has worldwide adaptability (Khalid et al., 2011). Maize crop matures more quickly because of its foliage distribution and size (Warman, 2003). Worldwide area under the cultivation of maize crop is about 159 million hand total yield is 796.48 million (USDA, 2010). According to GOP (2013) in Pakistan area under cultivation of maize is 1.08 million hectares and total yield is 4631 thousand tons while average grain yield is about 4.26tons ha-1. Punjab cover area of about 39% and gave 30% of overall production of maize; KPK shares 56% area under maize cultivation and gave63% of the overall yield production whereas Baluchistan and Sindh contribute 5% of entire area and 3% of the overall production in Pakistan (Ghulam-Nabi, 2013). Maize crop is used as a multipurpose which provides fodder for animals, fuel and food for humans being (Afzal et al., 2009). It is used in cake formation, porridge and bread making in all over the world especially in Africa, America and Asia (Bukhsh et al., 2011). Kumar et al. (2013) described that oil present in corn embryo is also used for cooking. In Pakistan, maize yield is very poor (4.26 tons’ ha-1) as compare to developed countries such as USA (9840 kg ha-1), France (9474 kg ha-1), Italy (9668 kg ha-1), Egypt (8173 kg ha-1) and Canada (9193 kg ha-1) (FAO, 2011). Pakistan hold 4thposition among countries which are producing corn in all over the globe (USDA, 2012). Various factors which contributes toward slow production of corn in Pakistan are nutritional inbalance, insufficient use of fertilizer, low soil organic matter contents, inadequate plant density, weeds problem, scarce water supply, selection of unsuitable varieties and insect pest attack (Tahir et al., 2008; Asif et al., 2020). By proper usage of agricultural ideas, progressive cultural practices we can achieve maize potential yield (Wilson and Allison, 2004) and use of balanced amount of phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium (Kang, 1981). Balanced nutrition is an imperative feature which shows a main function in achieving quality production of maize. Presence of nutrients like magnesium, phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium in well-adjusted forms is necessary for plant growth, development and final yield (Randhawa and Arora, 2000). The research shows that application of fertilizers increases more than 50% production of crops (Braun and Roy, 1983). Potassium is considered as most ambient macronutrients required for proper growth, development and sustainable crop yield. It is a vital element for increasing yield of maize (Bukhsh et al., 2009; Bukhsh et al., 2012). Maize consumed 5.2 kg P2O5 ha-1 per day during peak flowering period (White, 2000). After sowing during 38 to 52 days, the maize plants require the total potassium up to 38% for whole growing season (Rehman et al., 2008). Due to calcareous nature of Pakistani soils plants cannot uptake adequate amount of potassium (Bukhshet al., 2008). It improves the overall yield of maize (Sharma et al., 2005). It also helps plant to regulate the movement of stomata (Thomas and Thomas, 2009). Potassium plays major role in stimulation of enzymes, photosynthesis, regulation of osmotic pressure, movement of the stomata’s, protein synthesis, phloem transport, transfer of the energy, cation-anion balance in soil and improves resistance against stress (Marschner, 2012). In depth of soil, potassium application in association with the other inorganic nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen produce the deeper roots of plants (Kirkby et al., 2009). Therefore, due to the importance and role of potassium (K) in improving both chemical and physical properties of soil, and increasing growth, development and crop yield an experiment was planned to examine the role of different levels of potassium on maize growth, yield and quality. 212 Ali et al. Int. J. Biosci. 2020 Materials and methods Experimental Site and Soil Research trial was performed at College of Agriculture (COA), University of Sargodha (UOS), Pakistan. Soil analysis was carried out before crop sowing to determine phosphorus, potassium, soil organic matter, electrical conductivity and ph. The data regarding physio-chemical analysis of soil is presented in Table 1. Design of experiment and treatments Experiment was arranged under RCBD with the three number of replications. Treatments consists of four different levels of potassium with one control where no potassium was applied (0,40, 80, 120 and 160 kg ha-1). Crop husbandry Maize seeds were sown on fine and well prepared ridges. Before sowing seed, bed was prepared with cultivator and planker. Then soil was made fine by rotavator. Maize seeds were treated with ―Confidor‖ fungicide to avoid any kind of pest attack. Ten kg seeds were used for maximum and uniform crop establishment. Different levels of potassium fertilizer were incorporated in soil and the remaining (Nitrogen and Phosphorus) fertilizer applications were applied in splits. Nitrogen in 3 doses i.e. onethird before the sowing, second dose with first irrigation and third dose at tasseling. To applied N, P, k we used Urea, DAP and MOP as sources. The different levels of potassium were applied according the treatments. We sprayed the maize crop at 2-3 leaf stage with Imidacloprid through hand sprayer to protect from the attack of shoot fly. To save the crop from stem borer attack Furadan was used @ 8 kg/acre at 4-5 leaf stage. Observations Different parameters of crop were recorded such as height of plant (cm), no. of grain rows per cob, no. of grains per row, no. of grains per cob, diameter of cob (cm), length of cob (cm), biological yield (kg ha-1), grain yield of grain (kg ha-1), 1000grain weight (g), harvest index (%), crude oil and crude protein contents (%) by standard techniques. To observed plant height and cob length ten plants of maize crop were selected randomly and recorded by using measuring tape. Although, cob diameter was measured by Vernier caliper after that means was calculated. Similarly, no. of grains per row, no. of grains per cob and no. of grain rows per cob from all plots were recorded and mean value of grain was considered. For, 1000Grains weight, 1000-grains were taken from every plot and dried in micro wave oven and then weighed by using digital balance and grain yield was noted and change into kg ha-1. To obtain biological yield in kg ha-1 all plots were separately harvested and weighed then all cobs were removed and sun dried. After drying all grains were removed from cobs, weighed and yield was calculated in to kg ha-1. However, Harvest index (HI) was determined in percentage by formula H.I = (Grain yield / Biological yield) x100. While the determination of crude protein was done by using the micro-kjeldhal distillation method. To determine Crude oil contents (%) in grains used Soxhlet method. Statistical analysis Data were analyzed by Statistics software (8.1Statistix, Tallahassee, FL, USA). However, least significant difference (LSD) test was employed to compare the treatments means at 5% probability level. Results and discussion Plant height (cm) The height of any crop plant is vital vegetative trait and affected due to plant genetics, availability of nutrients, seed vigor and environmental conditions during the developmental and growth stages. Mean comparison for plant height under different treatments is given in Fig. 1(A) which showed significant difference between treatments. Highest plants (210.47) cm were noted at160 kg ha-1 dose of potassium. However, the lowest plant (177.87 cm) was examined where no dose of potassium was applied. Our findings are similar with Stone et al. (2001) who described that plants height increased with increasing in potassium doses. 213 Ali et al. Int. J. Biosci. 2020 Table 1. Physio-chemical analysis of soil. Depth (cm) ECe (mS m-1) pH O.M % Available P (mg kg-1) Available K (mg kg-1) Saturation % Texture 10 0.46 7.4 1.42 3.9 89 38 Clay Loam 20 0.55 7.7 0.74 1.7 71 38 Clay Loam It was concluded from above results that reason for raise in plant height by potassium application might be due to fact that potassium regulates the movement of stomata and nutrition and resulted in increased plant height of maize. Cob length (cm) Length of cob (cm) is very ambient vegetative factor which describes the yield of maize crop. Mean comparison for cob length under different treatments is given in Fig. 1(B) which shows significant difference between treatments. The highest cob length (21.56) cm was obtained by potassium @ 160 kg ha-1than other treatments and lowest length of cob (16.10 cm) was recorded where no dose of potassium was applied. Our experiment findings are supported by Ijaz et al. (2014) who described that different potassium doses significantly influenced the maize cob length. This increase in the length of cob at high dose of potassium might be due to role of potassium in process of photosynthesis. Fig 1. (A) Effect of different levels of potassium fertilizer on plant height (cm) of maize; (B) Effect of different levels of potassium fertilizer on cob length (cm) of maize; (C) Effect of different levels of potassium fertilizer on cob diameter (cm) of maize; (D) Effect of different levels of potassium fertilizer on no. of grain rows per cob of maize. 214 Ali et al. Int. J. Biosci. 2020 Cob diameter (cm) Mean comparison for cob diameter under different treatments is given in Fig. 1 (C) which shows significant difference between treatments. Highest value of cob diameter (6.83 cm) was founded at160 kg ha-1potassium level while, lowest diameter of cob (5.33 cm) was observed under control condition where the no potassium fertilizer was applied. Saleemi et al. (2013) supported our findings who stated that the maize cob diameter was significantly influenced by the various doses of potassium. The increase in diameter of cob might be due to balanced application of potassium fertilizer along with other inorganic nutrients and it produced deeper roots and uptake more nutrients (Kirkby et al., 2009). Fig. 2. (A) Effect of different levels of potassium fertilizer on no. of grains per row of maize; (B) Effect of different levels of potassium fertilizer on no. of grains per cob of maize; (C) Effect of different levels of potassium fertilizer on 1000 grain weight of maize; (D) Effect of different levels of potassium fertilizer on grain yield of maize. Number of grain rows per cob It is vital and basic factor that contribute toward final yield of the maize. Mean comparison for number of grain rows per cob under different treatments is given in Fig. 1(D) which shows significant difference among treatments. Maximum number of grain rows per cob (16.43) were noted at160 kg ha-1 dose of potassium and minimum number of grain rows per cob (16.43) were observed under control condition which was statically similar with 40 kg K ha-1 (14.86). Ali et al. (2002) described that use of potassium fertilizers significantly increased number of grains rows per cob of maize. Reason of increase in parameter may be due to potassium fertilizer improves photosynthetic 215 Ali et al. Int. J. Biosci. 2020 movement of plant which finally stimulate to sink and produce maximum grains (Iqbal and Hidayat, 2016). Number of grains per row It is vital factor which ultimately affects the yield of maize. Mean comparison for number of grains per row under different treatments is given in Fig. 2(A) which shows that all treatments differ significantly. Highest number of grains per row (38.63) was achieved by application of 160 kg K ha-1and lowest number of grains per row (25.00) were recorded under control treatment. Saleemi et al. (2013) stated that higher amount of the potassium and boron fertilizers significantly enhanced number of grains per row of the maize. This increase in parameter may be due to increase in photosynthesis is due to response of potassium fertilizer result in movement of photosynthetes from source to sink and ultimately increase in number of grains per row. Fig. 3. (A) Effect of different levels of potassium fertilizer on biological yield (kg ha-1) of maize; (B) Effect of different levels of potassium fertilizer on harvest index (%) of maize; (C) Effect of different levels of potassium fertilizer on crude protein contents (%) of maize; (D) Effect of different levels of potassium fertilizer on crude oil contents of maize. Number of grains per cob It is a key factor that contributes in total yield. Mean comparison for the number of grains per cob under different treatments is given in Fig. 2(B) which shows that application of potassium fertilizer significantly influences number of grains per cob. Highest number of grains per cob (593.43) noted under potassium level of 160 kg ha-1while lowest number of grains per cob (378.17) found under control conditions. The number of grains per cob of maize increased 216 Ali et al. Int. J. Biosci. 2020 significantly with increase in dose of potassium (Ijaz et al., 2014). The increase in number of grains might be due to more nutrient uptake and role of potassium in enzyme stimulation for protein synthesis (Meille and Pellerin, 2008). 1000-grain weight (g) It is a major factor that directly influence the yield of cereal crops. Influence of different doses of potassium on 1000-grain weight of maize crop is displayed in FIG. 2 (C). Data shows that treatments differed significantly. The maximum value of 1000-grains weight (439.53) examined at 160 kg ha-1potassium while, minimum value of 1000-grains weight (364.80) were noted under control (00 kg K ha-1). Ijaz et al. (2014) directed that as doses of potassium fertilizer increased 1000-grains weight of maize significantly increased. This enhancement in 1000grain weight might be increase in movement of photosynthates in plants due to potassium application (Sadiq and Jan, 2001). Grain yield (kg ha-1) Main purpose of maize crop is cultivation of farming community is to enhance the grain yield. Mean comparison for the grains yield under different treatments is given in fig. 2(D) which indicated significant difference between the treatments. Maximum grains yield (8089.0) kg ha-1was noted at160 kg ha-1 dose of potassium, whereas lowest grains yield (6862.2) kg ha-1 was noted where no potassium fertilizer was applied. Pettigrew (2008) reported that the maize grain yield increased as doses of potassium fertilizer increases. This might be due to the role of potassium for improving assimilation of CO2, stabilized regulation of stomata and improved enzymatic activity which produced higher carbohydrates and increased yield of grains (Nicholson et al., 1999). Biological yield (kg ha-1) Biological yield of maize in response to different doses of potassium is given in Fig. 3(A). and data shows significant difference among the treatments. The highest biological yield (26015 kg ha-1) achieved at 160 kg ha-1of potassium however, lowest biological yield (16745 kg ha-1) was recorded where no potassium was applied. Ahmad et al. (2015) supported our results who described that different doses of potassium influenced the yields and growth component of maize. The possible reason for this increment was the potassium fertilizer plays a significant role in enzyme activity, CO2 assimilation, stomata closure and improved the biological yield of maize (Tababtabaei and Ranjbar, 2011). Harvest index (%) Harvest index of any crop is ratio of economical grains yield to total biomass production. Data shows Fig. 3(B) significant differences for harvest index under various potassium treatments. The lowest harvest index (31.067 kg ha-1) produced by 160 kg ha1dose of potassium and the highest harvest index (40.96 kg ha-1) noted under control conditions. Findings were contradicted with Nikju et al. (2015) reported that the harvest index of maize crop improved by enhancing potassium levels. Crude protein contents (%) Mean comparison for crude proteincontents under different treatments is given in Fig. 3(C) which showed significant difference between the treatments. The maximum crude protein contents (7.66%) achieved at potassium dose of 160 kg ha-1although minimum crude protein contents (6.57%) were observed under control conditions.Crude protein contents in hybrid maize grain improved with increasing the level of potassium (Bukhsh et al. 2009). Increase in protein contents of grain due to higher availability of potassium to root of maize which result in more synthesis of ATPs and biosynthesis of protein (Tisdale et al., 1997). Crude oil contents (%) Mean comparison for the crude oil contents under different treatments is given in Fig.3 (D) which shows significant difference between the treatments. More contents of crude oil (4.14%) obtained under potassium dose of 160 kg ha-1and minimum (3.66%) were noted under no dose. Bukhsh et al. (2009) 217 Ali et al. Int. J. Biosci. 2020 stated that the content of crude oil in grains of maize hybrid were enhanced significantly with increasing the potassium levels. 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