Effects of Foliar Spraying of Magnesiumpotassium Sulfate Fertilizer on Absorption of Magnesium, Potassium and Calcium in Differentposition Tobacco Leaves

[Objective] ln the Mg-deficient （exchangeable Ca/Mg ratio ＆gt; 20） tobacco-growing areas in Qujing City of Yunnan Province, the ratio of Ca/Mg was adjusted by applying Mg fertilizer in soil and spraying Mg fertilizer on tobacco leaves. ln ad-dition, the effects of Mg fertilization on the absorption of K, Ca and Mg in flue-cured tobacco leaves were investigated, providing theoretical basis and production guidance for the balanced fertilization technology in the Mg-deficient flue-cured to-bacco-growing areas in Qujing City of Yunnan Province. [Method] The field plot test and randomized complete block design were adopted in this research. The group without Mg fertilization was treated as control. There were 3 treatment groups for foliar spraying of magnesium-potassium sulfate fertilizer and 2 treatment groups for soil application ＋ foliar spraying of magnesium-potassium sulfate fertilizer. The tobac-co roots, stems, lower leaves, middle leaves and upper leaves were dried and weighed. They were grinded for the determination of K, Ca and Mg content. The total K, Ca and Mg content in upper （B2F）, middle （C3F） and lower （X2F） flue-cured tobacco leaves in each plot was measured. [Result] The foliar spraying and soil application ＋ foliar spraying al increased the absorption of Mg and K in middle and lower tobacco leaves and the absorption of Ca in lower tobacco leaves, but de-creased the absorption of Mg, K and Ca in upper leaves and the absorption of Ca in middle leaves. Among the positions, the accumulated distribution of Mg, K and Ca ranked as middle leaves ＆gt; lower leaves ＆gt; upper leaves. With the application of Mg fertilizer, the Ca/Mg ratio and K/Mg ratio al decreased in middle and upper to-bacco leaves; while the Ca/Mg ratio increased in the lower tobacco leaves, and the K/Mg ratio showed no significant difference among treatment groups. [Conclusion] The foliar spraying and soil application ＋ foliar spraying of magnesium-potassium sulfate fertilizer affected the Ca/Mg ratio and K/Mg ratio in tobacco leaves mainly through affecting the absorption of Mg.

Potassium and calcium channels in different nerve cells act as therapeutic targets in neurological disorders

The central nervous system, information integration center of the body, is mainly composed of neurons and glial cells. The neuron is one of the most basic and important structural and functional units of the central nervous system, with sensory stimulation and excitation conduction functions. Astrocytes and microglia belong to the glial cell family, which is the main source of cytokines and represents the main defense system of the central nervous system. Nerve cells undergo neurotransmission or gliotransmission, which regulates neuronal activity via the ion channels, receptors, or transporters expressed on nerve cell membranes. Ion channels, composed of large transmembrane proteins, play crucial roles in maintaining nerve cell homeostasis. These channels are also important for control of the membrane potential and in the secretion of neurotransmitters. A variety of cellular functions and life activities, including functional regulation of the central nervous system, the generation and conduction of nerve excitation, the occurrence of receptor potential, heart pulsation, smooth muscle peristalsis, skeletal muscle contraction, and hormone secretion, are closely related to ion channels associated with passive transmembrane transport. Two types of ion channels in the central nervous system, potassium channels and calcium channels, are closely related to various neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and epilepsy. Accordingly, various drugs that can affect these ion channels have been explored deeply to provide new directions for the treatment of these neurological disorders. In this review, we focus on the functions of potassium and calcium ion channels in different nerve cells and their involvement in neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, depression, epilepsy, autism, and rare disorders. We also describe several clinical drugs that target potassium or calcium channels in nerve cells and could be used to treat these disorders. We concluded that there are few clinical drugs that can improve the pathology these diseases by acting on potassium or calcium ions. Although a few novel ion-channelspecific modulators have been discovered, meaningful therapies have largely not yet been realized. The lack of target-specific drugs, their requirement to cross the blood–brain barrier, and their exact underlying mechanisms all need further attention. This review aims to explain the urgent problems that need research progress and provide comprehensive information aiming to arouse the research community's interest in the development of ion channel-targeting drugs and the identification of new therapeutic targets for that can increase the cure rate of nervous system diseases and reduce the occurrence of adverse reactions in other systems.

The microbial community,nutrient supply and crop yields differ along a potassium fertilizer gradient under wheat-maize double-cropping systems

Soil microorganisms play critical roles in ecosystem function.However,the relative impact of the potassium(K)fertilizer gradient on the microbial community in wheat-maize double-cropping systems remains unclear.In this long-term field experiment(2008-2019),we researched bacterial and fungal diversity,composition,and community assemblage in the soil along a K fertilizer gradient in the wheat season(K0,no K fertilizer;K1,45 kg ha^(-1) K_(2)O;K_(2),90 kg ha^(-1)K_(2)O;K3,135 kg ha^(-1)K_(2)O)and in the maize season(K0,no K fertilizer;K_(1),150 kg ha^(-1) K_(2)O;K_(2),300 kg ha^(-1)K_(2)O;K_(3),450 kg ha^(-1)K_(2)O)using bacterial 16S rRNA and fungal internally transcribed spacer(ITS)data.We observed that environmental variables,such as mean annual soil temperature(MAT)and precipitation,available K,ammonium,nitrate,and organic matter,impacted the soil bacterial and fungal communities,and their impacts varied with fertilizer treatments and crop species.Furthermore,the relative abundance of bacteria involved in soil nutrient transformation(phylum Actinobacteria and class Alphaproteobacteria)in the wheat season was significantly increased compared to the maize season,and the optimal K fertilizer dosage(K2 treatment)boosted the relative bacterial abundance of soil nutrient transformation(genus Lactobacillus)and soil denitrification(phylum Proteobacteria)bacteria in the wheat season.The abundance of the soil bacterial community promoting root growth and nutrient absorption(genus Herbaspirillum)in the maize season was improved compared to the wheat season,and the K2 treatment enhanced the bacterial abundance of soil nutrient transformation(genus MND1)and soil nitrogen cycling(genus Nitrospira)genera in the maize season.The results indicated that the bacterial and fungal communities in the double-cropping system exhibited variable sensitivities and assembly mechanisms along a K fertilizer gradient,and microhabitats explained the largest amount of the variation in crop yields,and improved wheat?maize yields by 11.2-22.6 and 9.2-23.8%with K addition,respectively.These modes are shaped contemporaneously by the different meteorological factors and soil nutrient changes in the K fertilizer gradients.

Research on the Production Efficiency and Utilizing Rate of Potassium Fertilizer for Rape in Yunnan Province

[Objective] This study aimed at investigating the effects of consumption of potassium fertilizer on production and biological characteristics of rape and utilizing efficiency of potassium fertilizer.[Method] Taking 0 kg/hm2 as control,nine consumptions of potassium fertilizer were designed for the experiment using single factor randomized block design with three replications and field experiment in nine rape-producing areas with different ecological types in Yunnan Province.[Result] Appropriately applying potassium fertilizer in Yunnan Province could improve the rapeseed production,the rape production could achieve 3 983-4 151 kg when applied 150-180 kg/hm2 of K2O,which had increased by 4.7-9.1% compared with the control and attained the peak in K165 treatment.When applied 1 kg of K2O,the rapeseed production could enhance 559 kg,the net profit could reach 1 229 yuan/hm2 and the partial productivity of potassium fertilizer could attain 31.32 kg/kg K2O and 3.7 kg/kg K2O,respectively.Applying potassium fertilizer could promote the growth of rape and increase rapeseed production.[Conclusion] The recommended optimal consumptions of potassium fertilizer with high production and high efficiency for rape in Yunnan Province were ranged between 150 and 180 kg K2O/hm2.However,comprehensively considering production and efficiency factors,the consumption of potassium fertilizer in Yunnan Province was around 73.9 kg/hm2,which should be appropriately increased to around 100.0 kg/hm2 in Longchuan,Yulong,Linxiang and other producing areas with similar conditions.

Effect Models of Nitrogen,Phosphorus and Potassium Fertilizer Formulation in Banana

[Objective] The aim was to modify the application amount of N,P and K fertilizer so as to provide a reference for establishing balanced fertilization index system of banana.[Method]The N,P and K fertilizer ＂3414＂ test was carried out on banana,and then regression analysis was performed on the fertilizer effect.Ternary quadratic,binary quadric and one-variable quadratic regression equations for the fertilizer effect on the banana yield were constructed.[Result]Suitable amount of N,P and K fertilizer had significant yield improving effect,whereas overdose of fertilizer application led to decreasing of utilization rate of fertilizer.Therefore,suitable amount of N,P and K fertilizer should be selected in production.It could be concluded that one-variable quadratic regression equations was the best model to calculate the suitable fertilizer amount.The best yield range of banana in the tested field was 44.193-45.904 t/hm2,while the corresponding optimum application amount of N,P2O5 and K2O was 795.1,262.3 and 1 236.9 kg/hm2 respectively,and the ratio among nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium are 1∶0.33∶1.55.[Conclusion]The result in this study could provide references for the soil types similar to the tested field.

Effects of Nitrogen, Phosphate and Potassium Fertilizers on Soft Rot of Konjac Based on Grey Correlation Analysis

[Objective] The effects of different application amounts of nitrogen, phos-phate and potassium fertilizers on soft rot of konjac were investigated in this study. [Method] The grey correlation analysis was adopted to evaluate the correlation be-tween the application amount of nitrogen, phosphate and potassium fertilizers and the occurrence of soft rot of konjac. [Result] The excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer would induce the occurrence of soft rot of konjac, but the application of potassium fertilizer had a good control effect on soft rot. [Conclusion] The applica-tion amount of nitrogen fertilizer should be control ed reasonably in the planting of konjac, but the application amount of phosphate and potassium fertilizer could be in-creased to some extent, reducing the occurrence of soft rot of konjac.

Effects of Straw Covering and Different Types of Potassium Fertilizer on Salinity Accumulation in Surface Layer of Tobacco-planted Paddy Soil

[Objective] This study aimed to investigation the effects of straw covering and different types of potassium fertilizer on salinity accumulation in surface layer of tobacco-planted paddy soil in southern China. [Method] Tobacco variety ‘Yunyan87’ was used as the experimental material to investigate the effects of salinity accumulation in surface layer of tobacco-planted paddy soil on the growth and development of flue-cured tobacco using different types of potassium fertilizer and mulching cultivation methods. [Result] The results showed that K＋ , Ca2＋ , SO42and NO3-were the major salt ions in topsoil at different growth stages of flue-cured tobacco, Na ＋ and Mg2＋ contents were also relatively high at vigorous growth stage, indicating that these salt ions were easily accumulated in surface layer of soil; to be specific, the absolute increase of salt ion concentration showed a decreasing order of K＋ SO42- NO3-Ca2＋ Mg2＋ Na＋ Cl-, while the relative increase of salt ion concentration showed a decreasing order of Ca2＋ K＋ Na＋ NO3-SO42-Mg2＋ Cl-. At 60 d posttransplanting, total salt content in topsoil reached the minimum of 359.1 mg/kg in Treatment 2, total salt content in topsoil reached the maximum of 536.1 mg/kg in Treatment 5 （CK）, which was significantly higher than that in other treatments. At 90 d post-transplanting, no significant difference was observed in total salt content among various treatments. At harvesting period, total salt content in topsoil reached the maximum of 3 278.4 mg/kg in Treatment 1, which was significantly higher than that in other treatments. Topsoil pH showed no significant differences among various treatments at three different periods, ranging from 5.39 to 5.59. Straw covering could effectively reduce salt content in topsoil, accelerate vigorous growth of tobacco, shorten vigorous growth period and increase plant height, leaf number and lead area; at vigorous growth stage, root vitality and root volume of tobacco were improved, but the yield and output value were relatively low. Major agronomic traits and yield of tobacco showed no significant difference among various treatments. Output value of tobacco reached the maximum of 24 196.8 yuan/hm2 in Treatment 3, which was significantly higher than that in other treatments. [Conclusion] Appropriate types and proportions of potassium fertilizer and straw covering can effectively reduce the total salt content in tobacco-planted paddy soil and increase the effective supply amount of K＋ , Ca2＋ , SO42-and NO3-, thereby promoting and improving the root vitality of tobacco, which is conducive to the growth and development of tobacco and will eventually enhance the yield, quality and economic benefits of flue-cured tobacco.

Effects of Potassium Fertilizer on Water-Soluble Carbohydrate Content of Timothy (<i>Phleum pratense</i>L.), Silage Fermentation, Nutritive Values, and Nutrient Intake

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of potassium fertilizer (standard (S) and high (H) levels) on water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content of timothy (Phleum pratense L.), silage fermentation, nutritive values, and nutrient intake. The silage treatments were as follows: S level without inoculant (SC), S level plus inoculant (SI), H level without inoculant (HC), and H level plus inoculant (HI). The K content was increased by 14.5% in timothy grown with the H level compared with the S level. The WSC contents of the S and H treatments were 75.9 and 66.1 g·kg-1 dry matter (DM), respectively. The silage fermentation quality was low with both SC and HC treatments. The addition of inoculant significantly improved the fermentation quality in SI and HI treatments. The addition increased the DM and organic matter digestibilities of silage. The total digestible nutrient (TDN) content of silage was highest with the HI treatment. The DM, TDN, and digestible energy intakes with the SI and HI treatments were improved compared with the SC and HC treatments, respectively. This study demonstrated negligible effects of K fertilizer levels and significant effects of the lactic acid bacteria inoculant on the fermentation quality, nutritive values, and feed intake of silage.

Evaluation of Soil Potassium Test to Improve Fertilizer Recommendations for Corn

The soil potassium (K) test methodology is under increased evaluation due to the soil sample drying effect, temporal variations of test results and inconsistent crop response to applied K fertilizers. Ten on-farm trials were conducted in 2014 in eastern North Dakota to determine the corn response to different K-fertilizer rates and to assess the variation of soil K test levels between air-dried (KDry) and field moist (KMoist) soil samples during the corn growing season. Significant differences were observed between KDry and KMoist soil K test results. The ratio of KDry/KMoist showed high correlation with cation exchange capacity (r = 0.63, p < 0.10), Organic matter (r = 0.61, p < 0.10) and (Ca + Mg)/K ratio (r = 0.64, p < 0.10) from the 1 M ammonium acetate extractant, while pH, electrical conductivity, clay (%), and soil moisture showed non-significant correlation. On average, KDry resulted in higher soil K test levels than KMoist and pattern of deviation was different for surface and sub-surface soil samples. Soil K analysis of samples collected during the fall and spring showed large enough variations to affect the soil test interpretation category which was used to make fertilizer recommendations. Corn yield increased significantly with applied K fertilizer at only three out of 8 sites with beginning K levels below the current critical level of 150 ppm, and one response was at a site with K level above the critical level. Therefore, use of either the KDry or KMoist method alone may not be adequate to predict K response in some North Dakota soils.

Effects of Nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium Combined Fertilization on Rice Yield and Fertilizer Use Efficiency in Jianghan Plain

[Objectives]This study was conducted to explore the rational formula for rice fertilization in Jianghan Plain.[Methods]An experiment on the combined application of nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium fertilizers was carried out in Jianghan Plain,an important rice producing area in Hubei,with a total of five treatments to study the effects of nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium fertilizers on the fertilizer use efficiency and yield of rice.[Results]Fertilization had a significant effect on improving rice yield,and nitrogen fertilizer had the greatest effect on rice yield,followed by potassium fertilizer and phosphorous fertilizer.[Conclusions]This study provides a scientific basis for the application of rice fertilizers and the reduction and efficiency improvement of chemical fertilizers in Jianghan Plain.

Production Benefits of Double-Cropping Rice Under Optimized Application of Nitrogen and Potassium Fertilizers Combined with Chinese Milk Vetch and Straw Co-Returning to Fields

In order to explore the technology and effects of reducing nitrogen and potassium fertilizer applications in double-cropping rice,a field plot experiment was conducted to study the effects of optimized application of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers combined with returning Chinese milk vetch and straw to fields on yield,fertilizer utilization efficiency,net photosynthetic rate(Pn),stomatal conductance(Gs),intercellular CO_(2) concentration(Ci),chlorophyll content(SPAD value)and soil physical and chemical properties in late rice harvest period.The results showed that the optimized application of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers combined with the integrated technology of Chinese milk vetch and straw co-returning to the field could enhance the photosynthetic efficiency of double-cropping rice,increase rice yield,and enhance soil biological activity,especially T4 treatment involving the returning of Chinese milk vetch and straw to the field instead of 30%nitrogen fertilizer achieved the highest rice yield,fertilizer use efficiency,net photosynthetic rate and soil biological activity.Compared with the conventional fertilization treatment T2,the total rice yield of T4 treatment increased by 4.1%,among which the early rice and late rice increased by 6.3%and 2.4%,respectively;Pn,Gs and SPAD values of flag leaves at full heading stage significantly increased,and the contents of soil active organic carbon,alkali hydrolyzed nitrogen,available phosphorus and readily available potassium significantly increased.

Determination of Egg Shell Structure and Mineral Composition Using SEM-EDS and Identification the Possibility to Produce Fertilizer

Throwing out egg shells without using them depreciates a vital source of calcium. As an egg shell contains twice the amount of calcium a person needs a day, it is considered as the richest source of calcium of natural origin. Egg shells have been traditionally and widely used in medicine, beauty science and food production for decades. In spite of that, there is a lack of new solutions that profoundly study mineral elements and beneficial components contained in egg shells for further usage as a product. Assuming we consume 2 eggs a day, the yearly consumption for a person is 730 eggs. As beneficial component, the egg shell structure and mineral elements, were determined in 3 types of samples (Mongolian eggs, Russian eggs, and iodized eggs) by SEM-EDS (Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy), a state-of-the-art research method. Consequently, it was established that egg shells consists of Ca (72.6% - 85.7%), Mg (2.7% - 4.5%), Si (0.3% - 0.6%), P (7.0% - 18.1%), S (0.5% - 2.0%), K (0.4% - 0.9%), I (2.6% - 3.0%), respectively. Additionally, the D3.8 × 120, 250, 500, and 1000 times zoomed images of shell structure (SEM) of each sample were examined, and the results were compared and evaluated. The reverse titration method examination has demonstrated that the calcium carbonate (CaCO3) content in egg shells is 91% - 92.5%, and pH is 8.41 - 8.75. Ultimately, fertilizer containing 97.7% Ca without chemical additives has been extracted by grounding the eggshells to 4.4 μm, then preparing the mixture at the rate of 20:0.5 (shell: mix, enriched with mandarin and lemon peel) and adjusting its pH to 7.5 - 8.0. Further research on the impact of fertilizer on growing process of indoor flowers has been commenced.

Potato(Solanum tuberosum L.)On-farm Economic Study for Phosphorus and Potassium Fertilizers in Northwestern Ethiopia

In 2018/19,a study was conducted in the East Gojjam Zone of Northwestern Ethiopia to show the current potato cultivation problems relating to inorganic fertilizers at the farm level.The study used a mixture of 0,34.5,and 69 kg P2O5 and 0,100,200,and 300 kg K2O.RCBD(Randomized Complete Block Design)was used with three replications.Using a mixture of 34.5 kg P2O5 and 200 kg K2O yielded a significant total and marketable yield of 49.14 t ha and 48.32 t ha,respectively(with an Ethiopian birr in the net reward of 236,172.40),In addition,this treatment surpass other treatments and produced a marginal rate of return that was higher than the least acceptable marginal rate of return.As a result,it is recommended that a combined fertilizer application method be used to optimize the economic return from potato production in the study area.

Soybean Seed Protein, Oil, Fatty Acids, and Isoflavones Altered by Potassium Fertilizer Rates in the Midsouth

Previous research has shown that the effect of potassium fertilizer on soybean ([Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seed composition (protein, oil, fatty acids, and isoflavones) is still largely unknown. Therefore, the objective of this research was to investigate the effects of potassium application on seed protein, oil, fatty acids, and isoflavones under Midsouth environmental conditions. A three-year experiment was conducted in two locations (Milan, TN and Jackson, TN). Potassium (K) rates were applied in the form of K2O at a rate of 0 (Control, C), 45 (T1), 90 (T2), 134 (T3), and 179 (T4) kg·ha-1 in a randomized complete block design. The results showed that increasing the K application rate did not result in consistent effects on yield. However, increasing K application rate did increase protein, oleic acid, and individual and total isoflavone concentrations at both locations in 2008 and 2009. In Jackson in 2010, the increase of K rate did not change oleic acid, but resulted in an increase in glycitein and genistein isoflavone concentrations. In 2010, increasing K application rate increased protein concentrations, decreased individual and total isoflavones, and did not change oleic acid concentration at Milan. At the highest rate of K, 179 kg·ha-1, yield and some seed composition constituents were negatively impacted. Generally, K concentration in leaves at V5, R1, R3, and seed at harvest maturity stage (R8) increased with the increase of K rate applications. The research demonstrated that K application can alter seed composition, but this alteration depended on location, environmental stress factors, mainly heat and drought, K level in soil, and K application rate. Higher rates of K application may negatively impact seed composition constituents.

Effect of nitrogen fertilizer on the uptake and utilization of potassium by various rice varieties in purple soil

Nitrogen and potassium are important nutrientelements for rice.Besides supplied by the or- ganic manure,potassium nutrition of ricecomes dominantly from purple soils in Sichuanbasin.Potassium exists abundantly in mineralforms in the purple soils.Availability of soilpotassium for crop depends on the potassiumforms,the uptake ability of crops,and fertiliz-er practices.A pot culture experiment wasconducted to study the kinetics of potassiumuptake in the purple soil(total N 22.64g·kg,total K 24.36g·kg,available N 102.6mg·kg,available K 140.6mg·kg,acidsoluble K 936.0mg·kg,and pH 6.8).Ma-terials used were three Fhybrid rices,Eryou

Effect of Interaction of Potassium, Calcium and Sodium on Cabbage Growth and Nutrient Absorption

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the effect of the interactions among potassium （K）, calcium （Ca） and sodium （Na） on cabbage growth and nutrient absorption. MethodA total of 11 treatments with different levels of K, Ca and Na were set in the pot experiment to measure the nutrient content and uptake in cabbage plants. ResultThe use of K or the combined use of K and Ca improved the cabbage absorption on K and Ca. In addition, K and Ca presented an interaction as that appropriate amount of Ca promoted K uptake while excessive Ca inhibited the uptake. The treatment of Ca 2 K 3 with 0.33 g/pot of Ca and 0.67 g/pot of K could significantly increase the quantity of dry matter accumulation and absorption of Ca and K in cabbage, was the best among all treatments. ConclusionApplication of suitable amount of Ca could release the Na stress on cabbage growth at the low level of Na in soil.

Effects of Potassium Fertilizing Rates on Yield, Fiber Quality and Potassium Use Efficiency of Three Hybrid Cotton Cultivars

The effects of potassium （K） application rates on the yield, fiber quality and K fertilizer use efficiency of three hybrid cotton varieties （Jin102, Xiangzamian8, Siyang328） were studied in field experiment. Fertilizer rates of K2O 135 and 270 kg/hm2, representing 1x and 2x recommended K rates, were applied, no application of k fertilizer as the CK. The results show that the lint yield increased 39.13%-57.48%with potassium application, highly significantly. Al yield components of the three hy-brid cotton varieties increased with the increase of K application amounts. The bol number per plant, single bol weight and lint percentage were increased by 14.24%-40.29%, 3.59%-15.51% and 0.16%-4.89%, respectively, and the fiber length and specific strength also increased with the increasing K application amounts, showing no significant influence on Micronaire. When the K application amounts increased from 135 to 270 kg/hm2, the partial factor productivity （PFPk） reduced by 45.93%-48.01%, and the agronomic efficiency （AEk） reduced by 37.1%-42.9%. The PFPk and KE （K efficiency coefficients） of S328 were the highest among the three varieties, which also showed the strongest resistance to low potassium stress, and with no potassi-um fertilizer application （K0）, the lint yield of S328 was 5.54% and 11.19% higher than that of X8 and J102. The AEk of J102 was the highest, and its reward of K fertilizer was the greatest among the three varieties.

Effects of different ration of NPK fertilizer on the grain yield and protein content in forage rice

Different ratios of NPK were adopted in this research to study its effects on the objective traits of 2 early forage-rice varieties, and to obtain the optimum ratio to further improve the application technique in theory. At the same time, the possibility of increasing yield and protein content in the grain through cultivation technique was also studied. The conclusions were：

Effects of Paper Mill Sludge on Potassium, Sodium, Calcium, and Magnesium Concentrations in Different Soybean Cultivars

A field experiment was conducted on a sandy loam soil at an Experimental Farm in Taejon, South Korea, to determine the effects of paper mill sludge compost application rates on K, Na, Ca and Mg concentrations of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) aboveground tissues and the genotypic effects on the concentrations of these elements. Sludge compost treatments of 0, 75, and 150 t ha-1 were applied to 30 diverse soybean cultivars. Concentrations of K, Na, Ca, and Mg in aboveground tissues harvested 69 days after …

CIPK9: a calcium sensor-interacting protein kinase required for low-potassium tolerance in Arabidopsis

Potassium is one of the major macro-nutrients essential for a number of cellular processes in plants. Low potassium level in the soil represents a limiting factor for crop production. Recent studies have identified potassium transporters that are involved in potassium acquisition, and some of them are critical for potassium nutrition under low potassium conditions. However, little is understood on the molecular components involved in low potassium signaling and responses. We report here the identification ofa calcineurin B-like protein-interacting protein kinase （CIPK9） as a critical regulator of low potassium response in ,Arabidopsis. The CIPK9 gene was responsive to abiotic stress conditions, and its transcript was inducible in both roots and shoots by potassium deprivation. Disruption of CIPK9 function rendered the mutant plants hypersensitive to low potassium media. Further analysis indicated that K^＋ uptake and content were not affected in the mutant plants, implying CIPK9 in the regulation of potassium utilization or sensing processes.