KNO3 Wirkungen

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1
The usage of
POTASSIUM NITRATE
for non-nutritional purposes
Oded Achilea Ph.D.

Harmen Tjalling Holwerda MBA, MSc
8th of September 2010

2
Current Usages of Potassium Nitrate by
Application
Fertigation - nutrigation
Primitive Quantitative Proportional
3
Application
Foliar feeding
4
Application Further Developments
Other horticultural techniques that may be further developed:

Flowering-induction.
Dormancy-breaking.
Pest management.
Seed Priming.
5
1. Flowering Induction
6
Flowering Induction with Potassium
Nitrate in Mango in Puerto Rico
Potassium nitrate application.
7
Nitrate in Mango in Puerto Rico
Full bloom on same trees, 4 weeks after potassium nitrate

application.
8
Nitrate in Mango in the Philippines
Purpose: defining optimal treatment for increasing mango yield and

quality.
Experimental set-up:
21 years old trees cv. Carabao, were fed and irrigated
according to the commercial routine.
Treatments were spraying Haifas Multi-npK (12-2-44) at various
concentrations.
Sprays were checked between Feb. 27 and July 1, 1995.
Golez & Zamora, Guimaras, Philippines. 1997. 9

Treatments consisted of one application of:

1. Control (water).
2. Multi-npK 1.0%.
3. Multi-npK 1.5%.
4. Multi-npK 2.0%.
5. Multi-npK 2.5%.
6. Multi-npK 3.0%.
7. Boom - a local commercial product.
8. Super blum - a local commercial product.
4 replicate trees per treatment.

Haifas potassium nitrate Multi npK (12-2-44).
(kg/tree)
Control 1%
180
1.5% 2%
160 2.5% 3%
a
140 Boom Super blum
120 a
100 b ab
80 b b ab
b b bc bc
bc
60 bc bc
40
20 d d
0
Total yield Marketable yield
Conclusions:
Haifas Multi-npK is recommended as flower inducer for
Carabao vs. standard chemicals due to:
1. High flowering rate at 14 & 21 days after induction.
2. More hermaphrodite flowers.
3. Higher fruit-setting.
4. Better quality fruits.
Recommended dose rate per season:

December-April season:1.0% and 1.5%.
July-November season: 2.0% and 2.5%.

Flowering Induction in Mango by
Various Nitrate Salts
Spraying potassium nitrate resulted in statistically significantly

greater % flowering in mango, compared to other nitrate salts.
Control
80 Calcium nitrate
70 Ammonium nitrate a
Sodium nitrate
60 Potassium nitrate
50
40 b
30 b
c
20
d
10
0
% flowering
http://www.ikisan.com/links/ap_mangoFertilizer%20Requirement.shtml 13
Flowering Induction in Mango
Sprayed with Pot.Nit.

Zillate
Unsprayed
Van Dyke
Tommy Atkins
R2E2
Palmer
Nam Doc Mai
Common
worldwide Kent
mango Keith
cultivars
Isis
Irwin
Haden
Glenn
Early Gold
Kensington Pride l l l l
0 20 40 60 80
% Terminals Flowering
Source unknown 14
Nitrate in Mango Mode of Action
The exact mechanism of foliar applied potassium nitrate in mango

on bud dormancy break is still not fully understood.
Mango shoots must have low gibberellic acid (GA) content to allow
total non-structural carbohydrates, primarily starch, to accumulate in
the leaves and buds, leading to the early formation of floral initials
(Protacio et al, 2009).
Floral initials were present before potassium nitrate application,
indicating that this chemical merely induces bud break of quiescent
pre-existing floral buds and is not responsible for the transformation
of vegetative buds to reproductive ones (Protacio et al, 2009).
Protacio, C.M. et al. 2009. Unravelling the mechanism of mango flowering. Acta Hort. (ISHS)
820:259-270. 15
Nitrate in Mango Mode of Action
It is generally accepted that nitrate salt application stimulates bud

break. Presumably, there is a threshold for nitrogen concentration
that if exceeded, will allow the plant to flower (Protacio, 2000).
Potassium nitrate probably acts by elevating nitrogen levels over a
nitrogen threshold thereby synchronizing budbreak from apices with
existing floral initials. The signaling process is probably mediated by
polyamines or ethylene (Protacio, 2000).
In addition, the role of potassium nitrate is related to increased
production and translocation of sugars to the bud.
General recommendation: 3 to 4 weekly sprays with potassium
nitrate (3-4% w/v) to affect general terminal bud development, and
to ensure intense and even flowering.
Protacio, C.M. 2000. A model for potassium nitrate-induced flowering in mango. ISHS Acta
Horticulturae 509: VI International Symposium on Mango.
16
Nitrate in Litchi in India
Main problems in litchi (Litchi chinensis) are:

Yields are often irregular and suffer from alternate bearing.
Productivity in off-years is unacceptably low.
The experiment:
12 years old trees cv. Bombai, were fed and irrigated according
to the commercial routine.
Treatments applied by 4 sprayings at 30-days intervals, Sept.-Dec.:
1. Control
2. Ethephon 0.4 ml/L
3. Potassium nitrate 1%
4. TIBA (tri-iodobenzoic acid) 0.1%.
Eight replicate trees per treatment.
Mitra & Sanyal, West Bengal, India. 2001. 17

% Flowering shoots in litchi trees in Off-years
Flowering 55 Control
shoots 50 Ethephon
(%) Pot. Nit. b
45
40 TIBA
35
30 b
25 b
b
20
15 a a a
10 ab
a a a a
5
1996 1998 4-years mean
Yield of litchi trees in Off-years
Control
Yield 55
Ethephon
(kg/tree) 50 Pot. Nit.
45 TIBA b
ab
40
ab
35 b
30 b a
25
20 ab
15
10 a a
a a a
5
1996 1998 4-years mean
Conclusions:
1. Potassium nitrate could replace the need for vegetative
dormancy period, and induced higher flowering rates than plant
growth regulators.
2. The higher flowering resulted in higher yields, mainly in off
years and thus produced highest yields also on 4-years basis.

2. Dormancy Breaking in Plants
21
Natural Dormancy Breaking in Plants
The transition of both vegetative and floral buds of temperate or

semi-deciduous subtropical fruits species from the dormant to active
state requires:
chilling in temperate fruit species.
alleviation of drought (wet season following the dry season) in
semi-deciduous subtropical fruits (e.g. custard apple, guava,
persimmon).
In temperate fruit, main signs of lack of chilling are: sporadic
flowering, flowers only on terminal sections, rosette formation, and
uneven shoot development along branches (George et al, 2002).
In strawberry, chilling time requirement to break dormancy depends
on cultivars and can be classified as weak, medium or strongly
dormant groups (Maroto et al, 1997).
George, A.P. et al. 2002. Effects of new rest-breaking chemicals of flowering, shoot production and
yield of subtropical tree crops. Acta Hort 575: 835-840.
Maroto, J.V. et al. 1997. Reponse of strawberry plants to hydrogen cyanamide and potassium
nitrate applications. Acta Hort 463: 153-158. 22
Chemical Dormancy Breaking in Plants
Important Rosaceous, and semi-deciduous subtropical species can

benefit from chemical dormancy breaking.
Dormancy-breaking chemicals can be used for three purposes:

1. Allowing sensitive cultivars to be grown under insufficient
chilling, e.g. due to global warming.
2. Capture early-season markets.
3. Breaking apical dominance, thereby increasing flowering and
yield.
Some old chemicals were found to be phytotoxic and/or hazardous

to people (e.g. DNOC, hydrogen cyanamide).
George, A.P. et al. 2002. Effects of new rest-breaking chemicals of flowering, shoot production
and yield of subtropical tree crops. Acta Hort 575: 835-840. 23
Dormancy Breaking in Nectarine
(cv. Weinberger) in Turkey
When sprayed together, Thio-urea 1% and potassium nitrate 2%

resulted in statistically significantly greater yield than the control
treatment or Thio-urea 1% alone, and 2 days earlier ripening and
harvest.
Yield Control
8
(kg/tree) Thio-urea
Thio-urea + Pot.nit
6
6,83
b
4
3,5
3 a
a
2
Kuden, A.B. et al. 1995. The effects of thiourea and potassium nitrate + thiourea treatment on the
release from dormancy of peaches and nectarines. Acta Hort. 409. Temperate Zone Fruits IV: 133-136. 24
Dormancy Breaking in Custard Apple in
Subtropical Australia
(Annona squamosa cv Hiliary White)
When sprayed together, Waiken (emulsified vegetable oil) 3% and

potassium nitrate 5% resulted in statistically significantly greater
number of laterals and flowers per meter main branch length than
the control treatment or Waiken 3% alone on current season wood.
24 Control
21 Waiken
18 Waiken + Pot.nit
15
12
9
6
3
0
Specific # of laterals Specific # of flowers
Dormancy Breaking in Custard Apple in
Subtropical Australia
(Annona squamosa cv Hiliary White)
Conclusion:
Potassium nitrate has a synergistic effect with other dormancy-
breaking substances, improving branching, flowering, fruit-set
and early fruit maturation.
Dormancy Breaking in Temperate and
Subtropical Tree Crops
George et al (2002) conducted several experiments in southeast

Queensland, Australia, to determine whether combinations of new
rest-breaking chemicals could induce more uniform budbreak and
increase flowering of a range of low-chill temperate and subtropical
species (low-chill stonefruit, i.e. nectarine cv Springbite, persimmon
and custard apple).
The most successful rest-breaking chemicals were Armobreak
(alkolated amine) and Waiken (mix of fatty acid esters), but only
when combined with potassium nitrate, which greatly improved their
efficacy by 20-30%.
North (1992) reported similar findings in South Africa in apple when
potassium nitrate was added to Armobreak.
Potassium nitrate alone has a mild rest-breaking ability (George et al,
2002).
and yield of subtropical tree crops. Acta Hort 575: 835-840.
North, M.S. 1992. Alternative rest-breaking agents to DNOC/oil for apples. Sth. Afric. Plant and
Soil (9): 39-40. 27
Dormancy Breaking in Grape Vines
(Cv Superior) in Israel
Early spring sprays of dormancy-breaking agents are employed to

markedly improve yields and precocity of table grapes.
Potassium nitrate can successfully reduce the usage of phytotoxic
and cancerous Dormex (calcium cyanamide).
Unsprayed Commercial Dormex 2% Dormex 2%

Dormex (5%) + Pot. Nit. 6%
Bud burst (%) 1 41 30 40

30 days after
spraying
Yield of first 63% 100% 88% 127%
harvest 16.4 ton/ha 26 ton/ha 22 ton/ ha 33.0 ton/ ha
Sofer & Shnek, Haifa Chemical, Israel. 1996. 28

Dormancy Breaking in Grape Vines
(Cv Superior) in Israel
Potassium nitrate can successfully reduce the usage of phytotoxic

and cancerous Dormex (calcium cyanamide).
Control Sprayed with Dormex + Pot.nit
Sofer & Shnek, Haifa Chemical, Israel. 1996. 29

Dormancy Breaking in Strawberry in
Spain
Fresh runners of strawberry var. Chandler from a

low elevation nursery (Universidad Politcnica de
Valencia, Spain) were used.
Transplanting on 10 December in containers with
peat and sand (1:1 volume).
On 14 January, the following treatments were
spray-applied directly to the crown:
Control, untreated plants.
Potassium nitrate 3.0%
HC (hydrogen cyanamide) 0.5%
On 21 January, plants were placed in a large
tunnel, 8 m wide, 0.2 mm thick polyethylene.
Randomized blocks with 3 replicates of 10 plants.
Dormancy Breaking in Strawberry in
Spain
Results
Potassium nitrate gave earlier yields (P=0.05), but total yields
were similar.
Average fruit weight of plants treated with potassium nitrate and
HC were higher than control plants at the end of the season, but
no significant differences were detected for early production.
Treatment Commercial production Average fruit weight

(g/plant) (g/fruit)
31 Mar 31 May 31 Mar 31 May
Control 36.4 b 138.5 10.2 10.5 b
Potassium nitrate 56.7 a 140.1 12.2 11.7 a
HC 38.1 b 127.1 10.7 11.2 a
Mode of Action of Bud Dormancy Break
with Potassium Nitrate in Tropical Areas
The potassium ion (as in potassium nitrate) plays an important role

in carbohydrate synthesis and translocation from the leaves to the
buds.
A build up of carbohydrates in the buds improves floral initiation.
(Scholefield et al. 1985, Menzel et al. 1989).
Menzel, C. M. and Simpson, D.R. (1987). Effect of cincturing on growth and flowering of lychee over several seasons in subtropical
Queensland. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture. 27:733-738
Scholefield, P.B., Sedgley, M. and Alexander, D. M. (1985). Carbohydrate cycling in relation to shoot growth, floral initiation and development
and yield in avocado. Scientia Horticulturae. 25:99-110.
Yan Diczbalis and Dr. James Drinnan. 2007. Floral manipulation and canopy management in Longan and Rambutan
http://www.google.be/search?hl=nl&q=potassium+nitrate+bud+dormancy+break&start=120&sa=N
32
3. Pest Control
33
Pest Control
Aphids Scales
Nematodes
34
Pest Control Insects
Pecan Yellow Aphid (Monellia caryella. Fitch)
Healthy Infected
Sooty layer
35
Treatments:
1. Unsprayed control
2. Surfactant only (0.15% w/w)
3. Pot.nit (1.0% w/w)
4. Pot.nit (1.0% w/w) + surfactant (0.15% w/w).
85-years old Moneymaker Pecan orchard in Georgia, USA.
Wood & Payne, Georgia, USA.1995. 36

Juvenile aphids count, 1 day after spraying.

Juvenile aphids / leaf
250
Control
200 Pot.nit 0.5%
Pot.nit 0.5% + surfactant

150
100
50

Number of Aphids / leaf
1 May June July August

Control
0,8 Pot.nit 0.5% + surfactant
Pot.nit 1% + surfactant
0,6
0,4
0,2
0
Sprays were done at 2-weeks intervals
Florida Wax Scale (Ceroplastes floridensis)
Florida Wax Scale is an important citrus pest.
Adults
Young
Sooty layer on crawlers
an infected leaf
39
Purpose: Test the control of FWS by potassium nitrate in

comparison with broad-spectrum insecticides.
Location: A 34 ha, 20 years old, citrus grove, Valencia x sour-

orange, in the southern coastal plain of Israel.
Treatments:
1. Organophosphate, 13 liters sprayed in 3,500 L water/ha.
2. Summer oil, 3%, sprayed in 3,500 L/ha.
3. Potassium nitrate (Pot.nit) 4% + surfactant (Triton B-1956)
0.05%, sprayed in 3,500 L/ha.
4. Untreated control.
Yardeni & Shapira, Israel. 1995. 40

Treatments:
Larvae counts were performed on June 1st.
Sprays were done 2 days later.
Adult females were counted 75 and 241 days thereafter.

Control of FWS by potassium nitrate + medium oil was as good as

org. phos. pesticides, and stat. sign. better than untreated control.
Live scales 14
per std. Org. phos. pesticides
12 C
twig Pot.nit + Oil + surfac.
10 Untreated control
C
8
6
Larvae Adult females
4 C
A
2 B A
0 A
0 50 100 150 200 250
Days after spraying
Control of FWS by broad-spectrum insecticides in 1983-1986.

prior to adoption of larvae-thinning strategy.
Out of a 34 ha plot.
Annual mean of area Annual mean of area

treated with treated with
Organophosphate Medium oil

pesticides
23 (ha) 2 (ha)
43
Control of FWS by broad-spectrum insecticides in 1987-1993.

After adoption of larvae-thinning strategy.
Out of a 34 ha plot.
Annual mean of area Annual mean of area

treated with treated with
Organophosphate 4%Pot. Nit & 2% medium oil

pesticides
0.6 (ha) 28 (ha)
44
Pear Psylla (Psylla pyri and Psylla pyricola)
Pear Psylla are considered to be major threats in pear

growing:
1. Adults and larvae suck saps from flower buds.
Consequently, the flower buds do not open at all
or only partially, which results in a reduced pear
yield.
2. When larvae penetrate fruits, the fruit gets
damaged (scorching), which results in significant
fruit quality loss.
3. The plant cells, on which the eggs were
positioned, die. Affected leaves, shoots and young
fruits, become distorted and malformed. Affected
fruits suffer from a significant quality loss.
4.
www.lami.nl (2003)
www.agroatlas.ru/ru/content/pests/Psylla_pyri/
45
4. Furthermore, marked damage is caused by black sooty mold

fungi, which settle on the honey dew, excreted by the larvae.
From the beginning of July onwards (in the Netherlands)
fruits and leaves become black-stained. Fruit quality is
reduced.
Additionally, leaves covered with sooty mold suffer from
reduced photosynthesis, which results in smaller fruits.
Pear psylla on Bartlett -

adult and hardshell stages
www.lami.nl (2003) http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/tfipm/pearpsylla.htm 46

Pear psylla damage to pear fruit.
http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/tfipm/pearpsylla.htm 47
Trial set-up
In 2003, six Dutch pear growers tested a total of four fungicides
and fertilizers for their effect against Psylla larvae.
Results
Potassium nitrate and a spreader surfactant outranked Euparene
fungicide (N1,N1-dimethyl-N-phenyl-fluorine-dichlormethylthiosulfamide; Bayer
Crop Science) and magnesium sulphate.
Young larvae (stages L1 and L2) were most susceptible to
fungicides and fertilizers.
www.lami.nl (2003) 48
Mode of action of potassium nitrate on Psylla pyri

The effect of potassium nitrate on Psylla pyri is not a direct
insecticidal effect, but has a more indirect effect on its larvae.
Young larvae are covered and protected by an exudate layer,
which consists of a liquid, sticky solution of mainly concentrated
sugars.
Potassium nitrate is a hygroscopic salt. As such, potassium
nitrate attracts the exudate layer that surrounds young larvae.
The larvae loose their natural protection (i.e. the exudate layer)
against desiccation, and become more vulnerable to natural
enemies and crop protection means.
Pers comm. Ir T. Deckers-PCF Belgium 49

IPM recommendations employing potassium nitrate

A recommended strategy consists of a foliar application of
potassium nitrate at 5-7 kg/ha, followed one week later, by an
insecticide application.
Insecticides will act more efficiently, when the protective exudate
layer has been taken away from the larvae.
Furthermore, potassium nitrate contains N and K, which are very
useful for fruit size and flower bud formation in pear.
Pers comm. Ir T. Deckers-PCF Belgium 50

Pest Control Nematodes
Root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in a tomato seedling.
Tumors
51
Root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in a tomato seedling.
52
Tomato seedlings after 21 days of incubation with M. incognita.

Untreated Treated with KNO3 , 30 mg/L (3 x 10-4 M)
Increased plant length
Root knot Increased root growth,

formation without root knot formation
Castro, McKinney & Lux, California, USA. 1991. 53

Potassium nitrate was found to produce a negative chemotaxis for

2nd-stage juveniles of Meloidogyne incognita.
Potassium nitrate creates a chemical shield around the root
system.
Pot. Nit. KCl
% protection* S.D. 79.1 6.7 12.3 9.8
* By comparing number of eggs produced in treated vs. untreated plants
Conclusion: Minimum effective dose was 20 mg / plant.
Castro, McKinney & Lux, California, USA. 1991. 54

Pest Control Fungi
Objective: to study the effects of potassium nitrate (KNO3)

application under laboratory conditions on:
1. Phytophthora stem rot disease reduction of Glycine max (L.)
Merr. cvs. Chusei-Hikarikuro and Sachiyutaka,
2. mycelium growth
3. zoospore release of a Phytophthora sojae isolate, and
4. to determine the distribution and accumulation of potassium
using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) observation in
soybean seedlings.
Takuma et al. 2009. The effect of potassium nitrate on the reduction of Phytophthora stem rot disease of
soybeans, the growth rate and zoospore release of Phytophthora sojae. J. Phytopathol 157: 379-389. 55
Pest Control Fungi
1. Effect of potassium nitrate application on disease reduction.

Trial set-up:
Seeds of each cv were placed on autoclaved 0.7% water agar
medium, containing various concentrations of potassium nitrate.
When the first primary leaf appeared, about 10 d after sowing,
the stem of the soybean (with a 1 mm wound) near ground level
was covered with mycelium of P. sojae isolate.
The number of dead and surviving plants in each bottle was
recorded 16 days after inoculation.
The disease incidence was calculated as the ratio of infected
plants to the initial eight seedlings in each bottle.
Three replicates with two test bottles.
Pest Control Fungi
Result: The application of 430 mM potassium nitrate (0.4-3 kg

KNO3/1000 L) prior to disease inoculation greatly reduced incidence
of Phytophthora stem rot disease in the two soybean cultivars.
Effect of potassium nitrate on the incidence of P. sojae disease in

two soybean cvs, 16 days after inoculation
incidence of disease (%)
100
80 cv Chusei-Hikarikuro
cv Sachiyutaka
60
40
20
0
Control 0.4 4 10 20 30
Concentrations of potassium nitrate (mM)
Pest Control Fungi
2. Effect of potassium nitrate application on mycelium growth.

A concentration of 2030 mM potassium nitrate led to a slight
decrease in the mycelium growth rate of the PJ-H30 isolate on
PDA medium.
A B B B
C C
Pest Control Fungi
2. Effect of potassium nitrate application on mycelium growth.

The results might be due to multiple effects of direct suppression
on mycelium growth in combination with the reponse of the host
plant tissue to potassium nitrate.
Pest Control Fungi
3. Effect of potassium nitrate application on zoospore release.

All levels of potassium nitrate (0.4-30 mM) significantly (P< 0.05)
reduced the release of zoospores.
Effect of potassium nitrate on zoospore release
from PJ-H30 isolate on Lima bean agar after 12 h
incubation at 21 C
80 A
Number of zoospore
70
release/10 l
60
B
50
40
30
20 C
10 D D E
0
Control 0.4 4 10 20 30
Potassium nitrate concentration (mM)
Pest Control Fungi
4. Distribution and accumulation of potassium using Scanning Electron

Microscope (SEM) observation in soybean seedlings.
Results indicate that increased potassium concentrations in
plants were associated with disease reduction in both cultivars.
Pest Control Fungi
Results
Scanning electron microscopic observation with fresh samples
indicated marked accumulation of potassium at the penetration-
stopping sites of P. sojae in the cortex layer of soybean plants
treated with 30 mM potassium nitrate, compared with the non-
treated control plants.
In this study, marked accumulation of other inorganic elements

such as S, Mg, Ca and P, was not observed at the penetration
sites of P. sojae.
Pest Control Fungi
Conclusions
Potassium nitrate greatly influenced disease reduction of
Phytophthora stem rot in soybean under lab conditions.
This effect could be mediated by:
a response of the host tissue to increased potassium directly,
and possibly by a direct inhibition of mycelium growth (at high
levels of K),
and by increased nitrogen in plants (for greater protein
synthesis and increased expression of disease resistance
genes).
The application of 20-30 mM potassium nitrate may be effective
for disease management of Phytophthora stem rot through the
inhibition of the release of zoospores.
Pest Control Fungi
General conclusion:
These results suggest the possibility of applying a solution
containing 2030 mM of potassium nitrate (2-3 kg KNO3/1000 L)
to decrease the incidence of disease in agricultural fields by the
response of plant tissues to potassium nitrate.
Pest Control Pot. Nitrate Increases
Plant Resistance towards Diseases
Potassium nitrate increases the resistance of the plant towards

diseases.
The potassium in potassium nitrate eliminates the accumulation
of short-chained carbohydrates and non-protein nitrogen, which
may serve as substrates for invading bacteria, fungi, nematodes
and viruses (www.kno3.org).
Good potassium fertility is associated with strong cell walls that
enhance disease resistance and the ability of the crop to
maintain firm tissues (Marschner, 1995).
Foliar application of potassium salts, including potassium nitrate,
to the first true leaf of cucumber, before inoculation with powdery
mildew, induced systemic protection from the disease organism
(Reuveni et al, 1995).
Marschner, H. 1995. Mineral nutrition of higher plants, 2nd edn, London, UK, Ac. Press: 436-460.
Reuveni et al. 1995. Suppression of cucumber powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca fuliginea) by foliar
sprays of phosphate and potassium salts. Plant Pathol 44: 31-39. 65
Pest Control Increased Plant
Resistance towards Diseases
Potassium probably exerts its greatest effects on disease through

specific metabolic functions that alter compatibility relationships of
the host-parasite environment.
Potassium in plant increases the production of disease inhibitory
compounds, such as phenols, phytoalexins and auxins around
infection sites of resistant plants.
Under low plant K conditions, inorganic N accumulates and
phenols, that have fungicidal properties, are rapidly broken down
(Kiraly, 1976).
In addition, K deficiency leads to thinner walls and slower growth
of meristematic tissue, making easier for the parasites to
penetrate the epidermis (Bergmann, 1992).
Bergmann, W. 1992. Nutritional Disorders of Plants. Gustav Fischer Verlag, New York.
Kiraly, Z. 1976. Plant disease resistance as influenced by biochemical effects of nutrients in
fertilizers. In: Proceedings of the IPI 12 th Colloquium on: Fertilizer Use and Plant Health, held at
Izmir, Turkey, 1976. International Potash Institute, Bern, Switzerland. pp. 33-46. 66
Seed Priming with Potassium Nitrate
67
Processing Tomato Seed Priming with
Potassium Nitrate
Purpose of the trial:

to evaluate, under commercial agronomy in farmers fields, the
effect of seed priming on the emergence, growth, development
and harvestable yield of processing tomatoes.
Trial set-up:
Processing tomato seeds (UC 82 B) were primed in 10 litre
priming columns in a solution of potassium nitrate (KNO3) and
dipotassium phosphate (K2HPO4) (-1.25 MPa) for 12 days at
15C, then air-dryed.
Seeds were sown in a farmers field in Darlington Point,
Australia.
An early season and a mid season sowing were made in each of
two growing seasons.
Berlow, E.W.R. and A.W. Haigh. 1987. Effect of seed priming on the emergence, growth and yield
of UC 82B tomatoes in the field. Acta Hort 200: 153-164. 68
Potassium Nitrate
Results:
Processing tomato seed priming reduced growing degree days
of air temperature above 10C, required for 80% emergence, by
about 35% from each sowing.
Treatment Sowing date

1983 1985
Oct. 12 Oct. 21 Oct. 3 Oct. 15
Growing Degree Days to 80% emergence
Primed 37 45 45 35
Unprimed 57 67 70 55
% Reduction due to priming 35 33 36 36
Potassium Nitrate
Results:
Or, in practical terms, primed seedlings emerged:
4 to 5 days earlier from cold soils, typical of spring sowings.
1 to 2 days earlier from warmer soils, typical of mid season
sowings.
On average there were 5 to 10% more ripe fruit in the early sown
primed crops at all harvests, except maturity.
The 1 to 2 day difference in emergence of the late sown crops
was either lost or undetectable by maturity.
Priming had no effect on crop stand uniformity and size at
harvest in processing tomato (marketable product is the
reproductive organ), as found by others in carrot, onion and
parley (marketable product is the vegetative organ).
Potassium Nitrate
Conclusions:
Seed priming can provide earlier emergence, development,
flowering, and maturity for chilling-sensitive crops sown into cold
soils, without any loss in final yield.
Seed priming may offer a convenient method of both shortening
the time to establishment of early crops and providing greater
flexibility in processing plant schedules.
Freshly Harvested Papaya Seed
Priming with Potassium Nitrate
Objective:
To investigate and enhance seed
germination in two commercially grown
genotypes (Solo and 007) of
importance in Queensland, Australia, and
the effects of potassium nitrate on
breaking dormancy and improving
germination of fresh seed pre-storage.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carica_papaya
Ashmore, S.E. et al. 2009. Cryopreservation of papaya (Carica papaya L.) seed: overcoming
dormancy and optimizing seed desiccation and storage conditions. Acta Hort 839: 229-236. 72
Trial set-up:
Germination testing was undertaken by placing seeds on wet
filter paper in Petri dishes in an environmental chamber at 25 +
2C in the dark.
Seeds were pre-soaked in aqueous solutions of potassium
nitrate at a range of concentrations (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 1.5 M) for
0, 15, 30, 60 min, 2, 3, 6, 14 or 24 h prior to germination testing.
Ten replicates of 25 seeds were used for each germination
treatment and germination was recorded (days 7-14 post
incubation) as the percentage of seeds showing radicle
emergence.
Results:
Mean germination percentages of fresh seeds were very low (0
and 2.4% for Solo and 007 resp.), despite the high levels of
seed viability determined by TTC testing.
The mean percentage of germination increased above control
levels for both varieties after pre-treatment in either 0.25M or
0.5M potassium nitrate.
Results:
The highest mean percentage of germination was seen after pre-
treatment at 0.25M potassium nitrate for 2 or 3 h (64 and 65.2%
for Solo, 58 and 64% for 007).
Solo 007
Each data point is the mean of 10 replicates of 25 seeds.

Error bars are standard errors of the means (SEM).
Conclusion:
Dormany in fresh seeds of papaya cultivars when freshly
harvested, could be broken to give acceptable levels of
germination when GA3 (data not shown in this PPT) or
potassium nitrate were used; potassium nitrate gave the highest
levels of germination for 007 seeds and may be the preferred
treatment for application in the industry.
Summary -The Usage of Potassium
Nitrate for Non-Nutritional Purposes
77
Summary -The Usage of Potassium
Nitrate for Non-Nutritional Purposes
Potassium nitrate has very positive effects for:

Flowering induction (mango, litchi).
Dormancy breaking (nectarine, custard-apple, Rosaceae fruit
trees, vineyard and strawberries).
Pest management green and integrated (aphids, scales, pear
Psylla, fungi, nematodes).
Seed priming.
78

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All information is given to the best of PNAs knowledge and is

Oded Achilea Ph.D.

8th of September 2010

Primitive Quantitative Proportional

Other horticultural techniques that may be further developed:

Potassium nitrate application.

Full bloom on same trees, 4 weeks after potassium nitrate

Purpose: defining optimal treatment for increasing mango yield and

Golez & Zamora, Guimaras, Philippines. 1997. 9

Treatments consisted of one application of:

4 replicate trees per treatment.

Golez & Zamora, Guimaras, Philippines. 1997. 10

Haifas potassium nitrate Multi npK (12-2-44).

Recommended dose rate per season:

Golez & Zamora, Guimaras, Philippines. 1997. 12

Spraying potassium nitrate resulted in statistically significantly

Sprayed with Pot.Nit.

The exact mechanism of foliar applied potassium nitrate in mango

It is generally accepted that nitrate salt application stimulates bud

Main problems in litchi (Litchi chinensis) are:

Mitra & Sanyal, West Bengal, India. 2001. 17

% Flowering shoots in litchi trees in Off-years

Yield of litchi trees in Off-years

Mitra & Sanyal, West Bengal, India. 2001. 20

The transition of both vegetative and floral buds of temperate or

Important Rosaceous, and semi-deciduous subtropical species can

Dormancy-breaking chemicals can be used for three purposes:

Some old chemicals were found to be phytotoxic and/or hazardous

When sprayed together, Thio-urea 1% and potassium nitrate 2%

When sprayed together, Waiken (emulsified vegetable oil) 3% and

George et al (2002) conducted several experiments in southeast

Early spring sprays of dormancy-breaking agents are employed to

Unsprayed Commercial Dormex 2% Dormex 2%

Bud burst (%) 1 41 30 40

Sofer & Shnek, Haifa Chemical, Israel. 1996. 28

Potassium nitrate can successfully reduce the usage of phytotoxic

Control Sprayed with Dormex + Pot.nit

Sofer & Shnek, Haifa Chemical, Israel. 1996. 29

Fresh runners of strawberry var. Chandler from a

Treatment Commercial production Average fruit weight

The potassium ion (as in potassium nitrate) plays an important role

85-years old Moneymaker Pecan orchard in Georgia, USA.

Wood & Payne, Georgia, USA.1995. 36

Juvenile aphids count, 1 day after spraying.

Pot.nit 0.5% + surfactant

Wood & Payne, Georgia, USA.1995. 37

1 May June July August

Florida Wax Scale is an important citrus pest.

Purpose: Test the control of FWS by potassium nitrate in

Location: A 34 ha, 20 years old, citrus grove, Valencia x sour-

Yardeni & Shapira, Israel. 1995. 40

Yardeni & Shapira, Israel. 1995. 41

Control of FWS by potassium nitrate + medium oil was as good as

Control of FWS by broad-spectrum insecticides in 1983-1986.

Annual mean of area Annual mean of area

Organophosphate Medium oil

Control of FWS by broad-spectrum insecticides in 1987-1993.

Annual mean of area Annual mean of area

Organophosphate 4%Pot. Nit & 2% medium oil

0.6 (ha) 28 (ha)

Pear Psylla are considered to be major threats in pear

4. Furthermore, marked damage is caused by black sooty mold