Exploiting genotypic variation among fifteen maize genotypes of Pakistan for potassium uptake and use efficiency in solution culture

Potassium (K) status of Pakistani soils is rapidly decreasing at an alarming rate. Thus, the exploitation of genotypic variation among the major crops of Pakistan could be helpful for future breeding of K-efficient genotypes. Fifteen maize genotypes were grown under K adequate (AK) and deficient (DK) conditions in hydroponics. Substantial variation was observed in the biomass accumulation, allocation and K uptake and use efficiency among genotypes at two contrasting levels of K. K deficiency decreased the biomass and increased the RSR of the maize genotypes. K uptake was highly correlated with shoot dry weight (SDW) production at DK and hence could be utilized as a selection criterion for K-efficient genotypes.