Effects of Fertilizer Potassium on Growth, Yield and Nutrient Uptake of Wheat (Triticum aestivum) under Water Stress Conditions

Water stress causes serious yield loss of wheat (Triticum aestivum) under non-irrigated conditions. This study was initiated to analyze whether potassium fertilizer improves the water stress tolerance in terms of growth, yield and nutrient uptake of this crop. Satabdi, a popular wheat variety in Bangladesh, potassium (low: 39.0, medium: 156 and high: 312 kg ha-1) and three levels of soil moisture, namely control (less than 25% depletion from field capacity, FC), mild stress (more than 37.5% depletion from FC) and severe stress (more than 50% depletion from FC) were the treatment variables. Water stress affected significantly dry matter accumulation in leaf, stem, spikes and roots. The uptake of N, P and K was lowered by the water stress. Consequently, most of the yield contributing characters as well as grain yield was reduced substantially. Higher levels of K improved the dry matter production in different plant parts. Yield and yield contributing characters of wheat were also improved due to high level of K application irrespective of the levels of soil moisture. Uptake of N, P and K was also enhanced with the increasing levels of K especially under water stress conditions. It was concluded that application of high level (greater than recommended dose) of potassium might mitigate the deleterious effects of water stress on wheat productivity