Determination of Critical Potassium Concentration of Corn (Zea Maize L.) at Early Stage of Growth Using Flood and Drain Technique

Abstract

Critical nutrient concentration is defined as the level that results in 90% of maximum yield or growth which can also be used as a basis in formulating recommendations. An experiment using hydroponically grown corn to determine the critical potassium concentration at its early stage of growth and to assess the suitability of the flood and drain technique. Five (5) treatments used in the experiment which consist of different levels of potassium using KCl arranged in a Completely Randomized Design. There was no significant difference observed in biomass and potassium content of the plant tissue. On the other hand, critical potassium concentration was observed in 2.1% which correlates to the plant biomass and has an r-value of 0.99. This finding suggests that the flood and drain technique is suitable in determining the critical potassium concentration of corn and also this could be useful to an experiment that also involves CNC determination.

Keywords

• critical K concentration
• corn
• flood and drain technique/ebb and flow system

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