Imbalance between nitrogen and potassium fertilization influences potassium deficiency symptoms in winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) leaves

Chlorosis at leaf margins is a typical symptom of potassium(K) deficiency, but inappropriate application of K with other nutrients often masks symptoms of K deficiency. A two-year field experiment was conducted to measure the interactive effects of N and K on leaf photosynthesis and dry matter accumulation and the resulting growth dilution effect on K concentration and leaf K deficiency symptoms. N application aggravated the imbalance of N and K nutrients and further exacerbated K deficiency symptoms under K limitation. Synergistic effects of N and K promoted plant growth, amplified the growth dilution effect, and reduced the critical K concentration in leaves. Using 90% of the maximum shoot biomass as a threshold,the critical K concentration was 0.72% at the recommended N(N180) fertilization level. The critical K concentration increased by 62.5% owing to the reduced biomass under insufficient N(N;) supply. In contrast, high N(N;) reduced the critical K concentration(0.64%), accelerating chlorophyll decomposition and exacerbating K deficiency symptoms. The basis of changing the critical K concentration by magnifying growth dilution effect was the functional synergistic effect of N and K on photosynthetic characteristics. Under insufficient N, the low maximum carboxylation rate(V;) limited the net photosynthetic rate(An) and necessitated more K to maintain high CO;transmission capacity, to improve the total conductance g;/V;ratio. High N supply increased gtotand V;possibly mitigating the effect of K reduction on photosynthesis. In conclusion, it is unwise to judge K status of plants only by K concentration without accounting for crop mass(or dilution effect), critical K concentration and deficiency symptoms are affected by N fertilization, and the synergistic effect of N and K on leaf photosynthesis is the foundation of maximal growth of plants under diverse critical K concentrations.