Effect of Foliar Application with Potassium Silicate and Seaweed Extract on Plant Growth, Productivity, Quality Attributes and Storability of Potato

Abstract

The research was carried out to examine how foliar spraying with 1% and 2% of potassium silicate and seaweed extract (SWE) affects the vegetative growth, yield components, storability, and tuber quality of potato cv. Spunta during the summer 2022 and 2023 seasons. The results indicated that foliar spraying with SWE at 2% or potassium silicate at 2% significantly improved vegetable growth parameters (plant height, leaf area, leaf numbers per plant, fresh and dry weight/ plant, chlorophyll reading (SPAD) in leaves, yield and its components (total tubers yield, tubers weight/plant and average weight of tuber, physical and chemical properties of tubers (tuber length, dry matter, total carbohydrates and starch) compared to untreated (control). Spraying with potassium silicate at 2% gave the highest values of silicon and potassium concentrations in leaves and tubers and improved the tuber firmness. Spraying with SWE at 2% was the most effective treatment in improving the vegetative growth, yield parameters, and tuber quality. Also, this treatment extended the postharvest life of the potato tubers, which lowers weight loss, maintains the quality parameters, and gives a good appearance of tubers after 4 months of storage at 10ºC without any decay.