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Concentrations of potassium in the dry matter and tissue water of field-grown spring barley and their relationships to grain yield

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

R. A. Leigh  and
A. E. Johnston
R. A. Leigh
Affiliation:
Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ
A. E. Johnston
Affiliation:
Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ
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Summary

In 68 spring barley crops grown in five experiments at Rothamsted and Woburn between 1980 and 1982, and given adequate K fertilizer, there was a positive correlation (r = 0·76; P < 0·001) between maximum % K in dry matter of young plants and the grain yield at final harvest. In all crops changes in % K in dry matter during the growing season were directly related to changes in fresh weight to dry weight ratio (FW: DW) suggesting that differences in % K in dry matter were the result of differences in tissue hydration. Potassium concentrations expressed on the basis of tissue water were not correlated with grain yield. All crops maintained K concentrations in their tissue water of about 200 mmol/kg tissue water, except at the end of the growing season when water loss during ripening caused a steep rise.

The correlation between % K in dry matter and yield was the result of differences in FW: DW. Within each experiment there was a good correlation between FW: DW and grain yield, but because the relationship was different for each experiment the overall correlation for all crops was poor. The correlation between FW: DW and grain yield within experiments probably arises because crops with a higher FW: DW will have higher specific leaf areas and hence higher relative growth rates and yields.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 101 , Issue 3 , December 1983 , pp. 675 - 685
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1983

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