Influence of foliar and soil potassium fertilizer on ratoon sugarcane performance: yield, quality, and nutrient uptake
Potassium (K) is essential for optimizing sugarcane production, playing a critical role in various processes that influence yield and quality. However, the effectiveness of different K forms in enhancing sugarcane productivity through foliar application remains underexplored, leaving a significant k...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Soil Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoil.2025.1502972/full |
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| author | Kamonrat Khontiang Daojarus Ketrot Saowanuch Tawornpruek Chalermchart Wongleecharoen Tawatchai Inboonchuay Acharaporn Wongsuksri |
| author_facet | Kamonrat Khontiang Daojarus Ketrot Saowanuch Tawornpruek Chalermchart Wongleecharoen Tawatchai Inboonchuay Acharaporn Wongsuksri |
| author_sort | Kamonrat Khontiang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Potassium (K) is essential for optimizing sugarcane production, playing a critical role in various processes that influence yield and quality. However, the effectiveness of different K forms in enhancing sugarcane productivity through foliar application remains underexplored, leaving a significant knowledge gap. This study investigates the impact of various foliar K supplements under differing soil K conditions, hypothesizing that such supplementation will enhance yield and nutrient uptake in ratoon sugarcane. Field trials were conducted on first ratoon sugarcane in loamy soil, using a 2 × 7 factorial in a randomized complete block design. The first factor compared no soil-applied K with soil-applied K, while the second factor consisted of foliar K treatments: water (control), 2.5% weight by volume of KCl, K₂SO₄, K₂SiO₃, KNO₃, diluted molasses, and vinasse at a 5× dilution. Results indicated that foliar supplementation with KNO₃ and K₂SiO₃ (without soil-applied K) effectively maintained ratoon sugarcane yield and sugar yield, comparable to yields achieved with soil-applied K combined with foliar water. Foliar K supplementation also improved the uptake of N, P, K, and Si in cane stalks, matching or exceeding uptake levels observed in ratoon sugarcane with soil-applied K. Although no yield enhancement was observed with the combination of foliar K supplementation and soil-applied K, most foliar K treatments increased K uptake even with adequate soil K levels. In conclusion, foliar K supplementation, particularly with KNO₃ and K₂SiO₃, is an effective strategy for maintaining sugarcane productivity, and improving nutrient use efficiency, especially when K fertilizer is unavailable or costly. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-139fe43eec94448aa0ac87e6ab0ee49f |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2673-8619 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Soil Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-139fe43eec94448aa0ac87e6ab0ee49f2025-08-20T02:14:38ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Soil Science2673-86192025-02-01510.3389/fsoil.2025.15029721502972Influence of foliar and soil potassium fertilizer on ratoon sugarcane performance: yield, quality, and nutrient uptakeKamonrat Khontiang0Daojarus Ketrot1Saowanuch Tawornpruek2Chalermchart Wongleecharoen3Tawatchai Inboonchuay4Acharaporn Wongsuksri5Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, ThailandDepartment of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, ThailandDepartment of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, ThailandDepartment of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, ThailandDepartment of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University, Nakhon Pathom, ThailandDepartment of Agriculture, Suphan Buri Field Crops Research Center, Suphan Buri, ThailandPotassium (K) is essential for optimizing sugarcane production, playing a critical role in various processes that influence yield and quality. However, the effectiveness of different K forms in enhancing sugarcane productivity through foliar application remains underexplored, leaving a significant knowledge gap. This study investigates the impact of various foliar K supplements under differing soil K conditions, hypothesizing that such supplementation will enhance yield and nutrient uptake in ratoon sugarcane. Field trials were conducted on first ratoon sugarcane in loamy soil, using a 2 × 7 factorial in a randomized complete block design. The first factor compared no soil-applied K with soil-applied K, while the second factor consisted of foliar K treatments: water (control), 2.5% weight by volume of KCl, K₂SO₄, K₂SiO₃, KNO₃, diluted molasses, and vinasse at a 5× dilution. Results indicated that foliar supplementation with KNO₃ and K₂SiO₃ (without soil-applied K) effectively maintained ratoon sugarcane yield and sugar yield, comparable to yields achieved with soil-applied K combined with foliar water. Foliar K supplementation also improved the uptake of N, P, K, and Si in cane stalks, matching or exceeding uptake levels observed in ratoon sugarcane with soil-applied K. Although no yield enhancement was observed with the combination of foliar K supplementation and soil-applied K, most foliar K treatments increased K uptake even with adequate soil K levels. In conclusion, foliar K supplementation, particularly with KNO₃ and K₂SiO₃, is an effective strategy for maintaining sugarcane productivity, and improving nutrient use efficiency, especially when K fertilizer is unavailable or costly.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoil.2025.1502972/fullfoliar potassiumsugarcane juicepotassium nitratepotassium silicatepotassium use efficiency |
| spellingShingle | Kamonrat Khontiang Daojarus Ketrot Saowanuch Tawornpruek Chalermchart Wongleecharoen Tawatchai Inboonchuay Acharaporn Wongsuksri Influence of foliar and soil potassium fertilizer on ratoon sugarcane performance: yield, quality, and nutrient uptake Frontiers in Soil Science foliar potassium sugarcane juice potassium nitrate potassium silicate potassium use efficiency |
| title | Influence of foliar and soil potassium fertilizer on ratoon sugarcane performance: yield, quality, and nutrient uptake |
| title_full | Influence of foliar and soil potassium fertilizer on ratoon sugarcane performance: yield, quality, and nutrient uptake |
| title_fullStr | Influence of foliar and soil potassium fertilizer on ratoon sugarcane performance: yield, quality, and nutrient uptake |
| title_full_unstemmed | Influence of foliar and soil potassium fertilizer on ratoon sugarcane performance: yield, quality, and nutrient uptake |
| title_short | Influence of foliar and soil potassium fertilizer on ratoon sugarcane performance: yield, quality, and nutrient uptake |
| title_sort | influence of foliar and soil potassium fertilizer on ratoon sugarcane performance yield quality and nutrient uptake |
| topic | foliar potassium sugarcane juice potassium nitrate potassium silicate potassium use efficiency |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoil.2025.1502972/full |
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