Potassium and Nitrogen Fertilization vs. Trace Element Content of Maize ( Zea mays L.)

Mirosław Wyszkowski and Marzena S. Brodowska
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Mirosław Wyszkowski: Department of Environmental Chemistry, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Łódzki 4 Sq., 10-727 Olsztyn, Poland
Marzena S. Brodowska: Department of Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 15 Str., 20-950 Lublin, Poland

Agriculture, 2021, vol. 11, issue 2, 1-14

Abstract: This research was conducted to study the impact of potassium and nitrogen fertilizers on the trace element content of maize ( Zea mays L.). Higher doses of potassium fertilizer led to a linear increase in cadmium, lead, nickel, zinc, and manganese content, and to lower Fe:Zn and Fe:Mn ratios. Moreover, cobalt level increased in maize upon the lower doses and decreased upon the higher doses of potassium. The impact of potassium fertilizer on the levels of other elements (iron and chromium) in maize was determined by the fertilizer dose and, in particular, by the supply of additional nitrogen. Potassium fertilization led to a higher bioconcentration (BCFactor) of most of the trace elements in the aerial parts of maize. Nitrogen fertilization led to increased contents of manganese and iron, increased Fe:Zn and Fe:Mn ratios, and decreased contents of cadmium, lead, nickel, and cobalt in maize. Compared with potassium, nitrogen fertilization produced less consistent changes in bioconcentration factors for trace elements in the aerial parts of maize.

Keywords: nitrogen fertilization; potassium fertilization; Zea mays L.; trace elements (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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