Improving growth and yield of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) by foliar application of potassium hydroxide (KOH) under salt stress

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to assess whether KOH applied as a foliar spray could mitigate the adverse effects of salt stress on plant growth and yield of sunflower plants. For this purpose, KOH @ 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0% was applied as a foliar spray to salt stressed and non-stressed sunflower plants. Foliar spray of KOH increased the growth and yield under non-stress and salt stressed conditions. Increasing levels of KOH increased leaf K +. Although foliarly applied KOH had growth promoting effects, it did not change nutrient status except leaf K. Thus, foliar application of K as KOH improved growth and yield of sunflower plants by improving K +/Na + ratio.