Effect of potassium fertilization on yield, lodging, and mineral composition of corn inbreds and single crosses

This study was desired to determine if different single crosses and inbreds of corn, Zea mays, reacted differently to potassium fertilization as related to yield, degree of lodging, and cation content of their loaf tissue.

One plant function of potassium has been related to carbohydrate synthesis, another to translocation. Both processes contribute to yield and to resistance to lodging.

Plants differ in total potassium requirements and in ability to obtain this potassium from the soil. Some of these differences between plants seem to be related to total potassium requirements of the species, feeding power of the plant roots, and the type of growth made by the plant.