<div>Background: Potassium is one of the essential nutrients for optimal plant growth and development, related to higher yield and improved crop quality. Split potassium fertilization achieved maximum nutrient efficiency and improved the available potassium status in the root zone. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which the split potassium application affects the mineral content and the quality parameters of various tomato cultivars. 
 
Methods: A pot experiment was undertaken to investigate the impact of single dose and split potassium fertilization treatments on nutrient content and quality traits of tomato fruits. Seven high yielding, early and mid-early tomato cultivars and hybrids were planted on Fluvisol and subjected to separate single dose and split potassium fertilization treatments (1. N200+200&ETH;300&Ecirc;450; 2. N200+200&ETH;300&Ecirc;225+225) as K2SO4, at constant nitrogen (NH4NO3) and phosphorus (Ca(H2PO4)2.H2O) fertilization rates. 
 
Result: Results revealed that mineral content in tomato fruits was significantly affected by cultivar, while the potassium fertilization type did not have a statistically proven effect. Positive relationships between potassium content and lycopene and sugars in tomato fruits were present. Highest mineral content was measured in fruits of &ldquo;Sheena F1&rdquo; and &ldquo;Nikolina F1&rdquo;, which also stand out with high biochemical attributes &ndash; lycopene, ascorbic acids, sugars and dry matter content. All tested biochemical parameters defining tomato fruit quality (except for acidity) were significantly affected by split potassium fertilization treatments.</div>

<div>Mineral Content and Quality Parameters of Tomato Fruits as Affected by Different Potassium Fertilization Treatments and Cultivar Specifics</div>

Sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.), generally considered as a crop of temperate region, is spreading to subtropical countries where it can be grown successfully during winter season. It is having growth period of about half of sugarcane but productivity per unit time is higher and requires less water than sugarcane. Many environmental and agronomic factors influence sugar beet yield and quality. Thus to harness maximum benefits from sugarbeet, there is need to select the most appropriate varieties, planting time, planting methods, planting density, sowing depth, providing adequate crop nutrition and irrigation schedule. For successful production of sugarbeet under subtropical environmental conditions there is need to evaluate the performance of different varieties under subtropical Indian conditions. Planting dates has a vital role for germination, growth, yield and root quality of sugarbeet plants. Sugarbeet emerge faster when air and soil temperature ranges between 15-25°C, thus sowing date should be adjusted accordingly to coincide with given range of temperature. Performance of the crop is likely to be greatly influenced by method of sowing, plant density and depth of sowing. Better growth and higher yields can be achieved by two-rows-bed planting technique, plant density of 12 plants m-2 and at the 1.25 and 2.5 cm planting depths. Proper combinations of farm yard manure and inorganic fertilizers should be worked out to derive the best possible advantage of inputs. Under Punjab conditions sugarbeet responded up to 120 kg/ha of nitrogen on high organic carbon loam soil testing high in available N. Potassium fertilizers increase both leaf number and length as well as chlorophyll content. Both sources of potassium i.e. KCl and K2SO4 had a positive effect on sugarbeet growth and development. Crop yields can suffer from either under or over irrigation. Irrigation scheduled at 75 and 50 mm evaporation produced the highest yield of sugarbeet. 

Agronomy of sugarbeet cultivation-A review

<div>Background: Foxtail millet is one of the nutri-cereal foods for the people of semi arid regions. Proper nutrient management and source-sink alteration are major keys for achieving higher productivity in millets. However, potassium is not recommended to foxtail millet and the potential yield is not exploited. And also the study of source-sink alteration in foxtail millet by using plant growth regulators is meager. 
 
Methods: An experiment was conducted to study the impact of plant growth retardants viz., chlormequat chloride (CCC) and mepiquat chloride (MC) with the nutrient potassium (K2SO4 - 1%) on growth, gas exchange parameters and grain yield of foxtail millet under rainfed condition. Plant growth retardants with potassium consortium were used as foliar spray at flower initiation stage under field condition. Standard methods were used to measure the plant height, root length, number of leaves, LAD, CGR and grain yield. The photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and leaf temperature were measured by using the instrument PPS. 
 
Result: Foliar spray of CCC (250 ppm) with 1% K2SO4 showed supremacy to enhance crop growth rate, leaf area duration, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and grain yield compared to other treatments. However, lowest plant height (100.7 cm) and number of leaves were observed by CCC (250 ppm) alone. Highest photosynthetic rate (26.84) and transpiration rate (17.94) were registered by CCC + K2SO4. Lowest leaf temperature of 34.1&ordm;C was registered by 1% K2SO4 compared to control (35.6&deg;C). CCC with K2SO4 recorded highest LAD value of 46.1 which is on par with K2SO4 alone (45.9). CCC with K2SO4 registered highest grain yield of 2.13 t ha-1 with increased yield of 18.3% over control. However, highest benefit cost ratio of ratio of 2.75 was recorded by 1% K2SO4 alone.</div>

​Impact of Foliar Spray of Plant Growth Retardants with Potassium on Growth Traits, Gas Exchange Parameters and Grain Yield in Foxtail Millet (Panicum italicum L.)

Mineral Content and Quality Parameters of Tomato Fruits as Affected by Different Potassium Fertilization Treatments and Cultivar Specifics

Agronomy of sugarbeet cultivation-A review

​Impact of Foliar Spray of Plant Growth Retardants with Potassium on Growth Traits, Gas Exchange Parameters and Grain Yield in Foxtail Millet (Panicum italicum L.)

Impact of Foliar Spray of Plant Growth Retardants with Potassium on Growth Traits, Gas Exchange Parameters and Grain Yield in Foxtail Millet (Panicum italicum L.)