Potassium Applications on Rice (Oryza sativaL.) Genotypes under Saline Environme

Abstract

Potassium (K) nutrition play a vital role in improving plant health by mitigating the severity of disease, drought and salinity stresses and improve yield of plants. We assessed the performance of three rice genotypes (DR-92, DR-51 and IR-6) using potassium treatments under saline environment. The experiments were laid down in completely randomized design with five potassium treatments (T=0.0, T2= 37.0, T=40.7, T= 44.4 and T= 48.1 kg ha-1) at Green house, Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur. The recommended rates of N:P fertilizer (160:90 kg ha-1) were applied. Five seedlings of twenty-five days old were transplanted in each pot filled with ten kg of naturally occurring saline soil (EC 6.25 dS m-1). Agronomic parameters were recorded at the time of maturity. Ionic analysis i.e. the contents of K+, Na+ and K+/Na+ ratio were determined in shoot dry matter and grains. The results revealed a significant increase in vegetative and yield components of rice genotypes at higher potassium applications. Moreover, Na+ contents in grain and straw samples of rice genotypes decreased with increasing potassium applications. Overall, genotype DR-92 followed by DR-51 performed better with potassium application to mitigate salt stress.