Dose- and source-dependent effects of foliar potassium on growth, tuber yield, and leaf nutrient status of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cv. Çanlıbel

Babacanov Babacanov; Nazrin Rahmanova; Sanubar Alakbarova; Müjgan Masimli; Ulkar Qanbarzade; Shaban Maxsudov; Rahila Islamzade

doi:10.18393/ejss.1894673

Dose- and source-dependent effects of foliar potassium on growth, tuber yield, and leaf nutrient status of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cv. Çanlıbel

Abstract

Potassium (K) plays a central role in potato physiology and tuber bulking, yet foliar K programs may differ markedly depending on application rate and fertilizer source. This study evaluated the effects of foliar K source and dose on vegetative growth, tuber yield, and leaf nutrient status of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) under controlled conditions. The experiment was conducted in a growth chamber from 2 February to 2 May 2025 using certified seed tubers of cv. Çanlıbel (Azerbaijan), obtained via the apical meristem technique and pre-sprouted for 20 days at 25 ± 2°C. A clay soil was used as the growing medium, and pots were maintained at 100% plant-available water throughout the experiment. Treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications (n = 3) and included a control (no foliar K) and foliar applications supplying 500, 1000, or 2000 mg kg⁻¹ K₂O from four K sources: KCl, K₂SO₄, KNO₃, and potassium silicate (K₂O₃Si). Foliar sprays were applied twice during the tuber bulking period using Tween-20 (0.1%) as a wetting agent. Foliar K significantly improved canopy development, increasing stem number, stem diameter, plant length, and total leaf number relative to the control, with responses generally strengthening as K₂O dose increased. Tuber yield per plant increased from 531 ± 25 g in the control to 663 ± 41 g under 2000 mg kg⁻¹ K₂O as KNO₃, while tuber number varied within a comparatively narrow range, indicating that yield gains were driven primarily by improved tuber bulking rather than tuber set. Leaf macronutrient concentrations (especially N and K) and micronutrients (Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mn) were enhanced by foliar K, with the greatest and most consistent improvements observed for KNO₃, followed by potassium silicate and K₂SO₄. Overall, foliar K application during tuber bulking-particularly KNO₃ at ≥1000 mg kg⁻¹ K₂O—was effective for improving potato growth, yield, and nutritional status under non-limiting water conditions.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Soil Sciences and Plant Nutrition (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Babacanov Babacanov This is me
0009-0003-7543-2132
Azerbaijan

Nazrin Rahmanova This is me
0009-0005-3664-6924
Azerbaijan

Sanubar Alakbarova This is me
0009-0005-7034-9712
Azerbaijan

Müjgan Masimli This is me
0009-0003-5400-2474
Azerbaijan

Ulkar Qanbarzade This is me
0009-0005-3243-9346
Azerbaijan

Shaban Maxsudov This is me
0009-0005-1509-1325
Azerbaijan

Rahila Islamzade ^*
0009-0003-6508-4305
Azerbaijan

Publication Date

April 1, 2026

Submission Date

October 14, 2025

Acceptance Date

February 14, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 15 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1894673

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA23GT74JD

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Babacanov, B., Rahmanova, N., Alakbarova, S., Masimli, M., Qanbarzade, U., Maxsudov, S., & Islamzade, R. (2026). Dose- and source-dependent effects of foliar potassium on growth, tuber yield, and leaf nutrient status of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cv. Çanlıbel. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science, 15(2), 279-290. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1894673

AMA

1.Babacanov B, Rahmanova N, Alakbarova S, et al. Dose- and source-dependent effects of foliar potassium on growth, tuber yield, and leaf nutrient status of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cv. Çanlıbel. EJSS. 2026;15(2):279-290. doi:10.18393/ejss.1894673

Chicago

Babacanov, Babacanov, Nazrin Rahmanova, Sanubar Alakbarova, et al. 2026. “Dose- and Source-Dependent Effects of Foliar Potassium on Growth, Tuber Yield, and Leaf Nutrient Status of Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) Cv. Çanlıbel”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15 (2): 279-90. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1894673.

EndNote

Babacanov B, Rahmanova N, Alakbarova S, Masimli M, Qanbarzade U, Maxsudov S, Islamzade R (April 1, 2026) Dose- and source-dependent effects of foliar potassium on growth, tuber yield, and leaf nutrient status of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cv. Çanlıbel. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15 2 279–290.

IEEE

[1]B. Babacanov et al., “Dose- and source-dependent effects of foliar potassium on growth, tuber yield, and leaf nutrient status of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cv. Çanlıbel”, EJSS, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 279–290, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.18393/ejss.1894673.

ISNAD

Babacanov, Babacanov - Rahmanova, Nazrin - Alakbarova, Sanubar - Masimli, Müjgan - Qanbarzade, Ulkar - Maxsudov, Shaban - Islamzade, Rahila. “Dose- and Source-Dependent Effects of Foliar Potassium on Growth, Tuber Yield, and Leaf Nutrient Status of Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) Cv. Çanlıbel”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15/2 (April 1, 2026): 279-290. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1894673.

JAMA

1.Babacanov B, Rahmanova N, Alakbarova S, Masimli M, Qanbarzade U, Maxsudov S, Islamzade R. Dose- and source-dependent effects of foliar potassium on growth, tuber yield, and leaf nutrient status of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cv. Çanlıbel. EJSS. 2026;15:279–290.

MLA

Babacanov, Babacanov, et al. “Dose- and Source-Dependent Effects of Foliar Potassium on Growth, Tuber Yield, and Leaf Nutrient Status of Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) Cv. Çanlıbel”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science, vol. 15, no. 2, Apr. 2026, pp. 279-90, doi:10.18393/ejss.1894673.

Vancouver

1.Babacanov Babacanov, Nazrin Rahmanova, Sanubar Alakbarova, Müjgan Masimli, Ulkar Qanbarzade, Shaban Maxsudov, Rahila Islamzade. Dose- and source-dependent effects of foliar potassium on growth, tuber yield, and leaf nutrient status of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cv. Çanlıbel. EJSS. 2026 Apr. 1;15(2):279-90. doi:10.18393/ejss.1894673