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Potassium Nutrition Effects on Net Photosynthesis and Morphology of Alfalfa¹

ABSTRACT

Greenhouse experiments were conducted to study the influence of K on CO₂ assimilation, growth, and morphological characteristics of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Yield increases were consistently obtained with high K. Added K increased plant height. The rate of leaf accumulation, leaf size, and weight per unit area also increased as did stomatal number and aperture. More and larger epidermal cells per leaf were observed with high K nutrition. Net photosynthesis rates of excised leaves increased with K application. Leaves from plants with added K had lower CO₂ compensation points, indicating higher efficiency of CO₂ assimilation under limiting CO₂ conditions.

¹ Paper by the Agronomy Department of Virginia Polytechnic Inst., Blacksburg. The research was supported in part by a grant from the American Potash Institute.

² Former graduate research assistant (present address, Elanco Products Co., Garland, Texas), Professor and Associate Professor of Agronomy, respectively.

Received for publication August 24, 1966. Accepted for publication November 28, 1966.