EFFECT OF LEVELS AND METHODS OF POTASSIUM APPLICATION ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF FCV TOBACCO IN KARNATAKA LIGHT SOILS

摘要

Among the major plant nutrients, potassium plays a major role in increasing the leaf size, body, yield and improving the colour, burn and quality of the tobacco by influencing the various biochemical processes. Field experiment involving different levels of potassium (60 to 140 kg/ha) and its method of application (soil and soil + foliar spray) was conducted for three crop seasons (2002-03 to 2004-05) in a sandy loam soils of Karnataka. Application of K positively influenced the various growth parameters like plant height and leaf size. The pooled data of three years revealed that application of K_2O @ 80 kg/ ha and above increased the cured leaf yield and Top Grade Equivalent significantly over control. Potassium application @60 kg/ ha was significantly inferior to 100 kg/ha level while the maximum response was noticed at 120 kg/ha soil or soil + foliar application for cured leaf yield, the response of TGE to K level was maximum at 140 kg/ha in case of soil applicationand 120 kg/ ha when applied through soil + foliar spray. The results of three years mean data on growth and yield response revealed that, application of 120 kg K_2O/ha was optimum for higher cured leaf yield and Top grade equivalent under KLS conditions.