Evaluation of Growth, Yield and Active Ingredients in Fenugreek Plants under Different Potassium Fertilizer Rates and Kaolin Application

Abstract

A split-plot experiment based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications was planned at Experimental Farm, Agriculture Faculty, Zagazig University, Egypt during the two consecutive seasons of 2018/2019 and 2019/2020. Aiming to study the effect of different potassium fertilization rate (0.0, 24 and 48 K2O kg/feddan) and different kaolin concentrations (0.0, 15, 30 and 45 g/l) as well as their combination treatments on growth parameters, yield components, fixed oil, and active ingredient. Results indicated that growth parameters (plant height, branch number/ plant and dry weight/plant), yield components (number of pods/plant, seed yield/ plant and /feddan) and chemical constituents (total chlorophyll, total nitrogen, potassium, total carbohydrates, mucilage and trigonelline content) were influenced by experimental factors. Furthermore, the highest rate of potassium fertilization recorded significant increase in these above parameters compared to control. In the same trend, the highest values in this concern of Trigonella feonum-graecum was observed with 30 or 45 g/l of kaolin compared to control. Moreover, applied 48 kg K2O /feddan was more efficient than 24 kg and control when combined with kaolin at 30 or 45 g /l, in most cases. Generally, this combination treatments seems promising in enhancing fenugreek growth and productivity under Sharkia Governorate conditions.