EFFECT OF SOIL AND FOLIAR APPLICATION OF POTASSIUM ON YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF TWO CORN CROSSES.

Two field trials were carried out during the summer seasons of 2000 and
2001at Abshawai , EI- Fayoum Governorate, Egypt in order to study the response of
grains yield and yield components of two corn crosses ( Single cross Bashaier-13 and
Three way cross-310) to soil potassium fertilization ( Zero, 50 , 75 kg K20 I fad.) and
foliar fertilization with 1 liter and 2 liter I fad of liquid solution of potassium 36 % K20.
The results indicated that the two maize hybrids were significantly different in their
growth and some growth parameters and also yield and yield components .Single
cross Bashaier-13 gave the highest grains yield and other yield components
compared to the Three way cross-31 O. Application of K fertilization either soil or foliar
application increased the plant height, dry weight I plant, leaf area and leaf area index
at al: growth stages. Grains yield and yield components were also significantly
affected due to K fertilization. In both maize hybrids increasing K fertilizer rate either
soil (75kg. I fad) or foliar (2L I fad) increased the grains yield and yield components in
comparison to other K treatments. Single cross Bashaier-13 recorded the highest
grain and straw yields I fad. Such increases estimated by 1.02 and 0.91 ton I fad
when K fertilizer was added at high rate of foliar application in the first and second
seasons, respectively. However, the treatment Bashaier- 13 + 75 kg. K20 gave the
greatest yield and its components.