The role of potassium (K) and zinc (Zn) fertilizers on the corn yield and K efficiency in two farms with different K levels in Kermanshah province

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important agricultural crops in Iran, and is the third largest crop in the world due to the crop area after wheat and rice, and its hectare performance is higher than other crops.

Potassium (K) and zinc (Zn) are the most important nutrients that play an important role in increasing plant yield. The present study was carried out to investigate the role of potassium and zinc fertilizers in quantitative and qualitative improvement of maize and increase the efficiency of two farms in Niloufar Sarab region and Mahesh district in Kermanshah Province in 1396 with 7 treatments and 3 replications in each field in a randomized complete block design In total, in each field, 21 plots were planted each with 20 square meters and maize cultived at 704 single-crop cultivars. Prior to planting, a sample of 30 cm of soil was randomly collected from alloys, then soil analysis was carried out and then a fertilizer recommendation was made. The amount of potassium and zinc absorbed by soil in Mahedesht was equal to 339 and 0/78 mg kg-1 , respectively, and 218 and 0/68 mg kg-1 in Niloufar Sarab, respectively. The experiments Was in both fields consisted of the The treatments were as follows:T1=Control (using all fertilizers based on soil analysis results except Potassium); T2=Farmers conventional fertilization method (NP); T3=T1+ 250 kg ha-1potassium sulfate (SOP) before plantation; T4=T1+50% potassium source of SOP before plantation +50% of potassium from source potassium chloride (MOP) in two splits along with urea top dressing: T5= T1+50% potassium source of SOP before plantation +50% of potassium from source SoluPotasse (SP) in two splits along with urea top dressing: T6= T1+50% potassium source of SOP before plantation +50% of potassium from source soluble potassium sulfate (SSOP) in two splits along with urea top dressing and T7=T1+ 50% potassium source of SOP before plantation +50% SSOP + zinc chelate in two splits along with urea top dressing. The results of the experiments revealed that: a) In the Niloufar Sarab farm with potassium and Zn absorbable amount of soil, the grain yield of corn in treatments was as follows: : T1= (4847 kg ha-1 ), T2=(5130 kg ha-1 ), T3= (6820 kg ha-1 ), T4= (7400 kg ha-1 ), T5= (8110 kg ha-1 ),T6= (8333 kg ha-1 ), and T7=(8625 kg ha-1 ). The corn grain yield was the best treatment in seventh treatment with an increase of 43% compared to control treatment, and it was significant at 1% level. . However, In Mahidasht field with high potassium and zinc content, the grain yield of corn in treatments was as follows: T1= (5009 kg ha-1), T2= (5100 kg ha-1), T3= (5480 kg ha-1), T4= (5780 kg ha-1) T5=(6750 kg ha-1), T6= (7560 kg ha-1) and T7= (7920 kg ha-1), which had the best treatment in seventh treatment with 36% increase in treatment, compared to control treatment, and was significant at 1% level. b) The efficiency of potassium fertilizer in Mahidasht field, while in T3 was 5.75 kg kg-1, in the seventh treatment reached 27.72 kg kg-1 and was significant at 1% level. However, in the Niloufar Sarab field, potassium fertilizer yield was 5.41 kg kg-1 in T3 and increased to 10.8 kg kg-1 in T7.

With regard to the above results, it can be concluded that the effect of potassium and zinc fertilizers on the yield increase of corn is positive and increase the production. However, when potassium and zinc are used on soil, potassium and zinc fertilizers have a significant effect before planting. However, when potassium and zinc are high in soil use, the use of potassium and zinc fertilizers prior to planting does not have a significant effect on the increase of the product, but the consumption of the split application will be more effective.