Improve Quality and Quantity of Plant Products by Applying Potassium Nutrient (A Critical Review)

Rabar Fatah Salih1,3, Khalina Abdan1, Aimrun Wayayok1, Norhashila Hashim1 & Khunaw Abdulla Rahman2,4

1 Faculty of Engineering, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia 

E-mail: khalina@upm.edu.my

2 Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Land Management, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

3 College of Agriculture, Department of Field Crops, Salahaddin University, Erbil, Kurdistan- Iraq

E-mail: rabarfatah@yahoo.com

4 College of Agriculture, Department of Soil and Water, Salahaddin University, Erbil, Kurdistan- Iraq

Original: 08.08.2015; Revised: 04.10.2015; Accepted: 12.11.2015; Published online: 20.06.2016

DOI Link: 

ABSTRACT

Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are regarded as the main nutrients necessary for plant growing. Each of these fertilizers has significant effects on plants growth. Their functions are somehow in relationship to each other. The purpose of this article is to show the importance of the potassium nutrient on the crops life. This kind of nutrient is disregarded in Kurdistan. Generally, the farmers have not information about the impacts of potassium. Hopefully, this study will encourage scientists to do more research on effects of potassium on plants. On the other hand, this article is going to be a key for using potassium fertilizer as an important mineral for the crops in the Kurdistan at the best way. Two factors are more important for every farmer to know before using the fertilizers (Fertilizers cost and environment pollution). As known, for getting fertilizers farmers must be paid, and fertilizers can damage the environment if these are not used correctly. Hence, for solving the above problems, a soil sample must be sent to a laboratory for physical and chemical testing before application of fertilizers. Farmers must know about appropriate nutrients and amount to add to the soil. Application of little amount of nutrients cannot grow crops and too many nutrients can run off the fields and pollute streams and ground water. Fertilizers have important purpose and function. Hence, farmers must be careful to practice the right dose, at the right time, to avoid negative effects of the fertilizers on the environment.

KEYWORDS

Potassium nutrient

Plant production

Quality and quantity 

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