Two experiments were conducted in the Experimental Station of Campinas, Instituto Agronômico, State of São Paulo, Brazil, in 1983, under greenhouse conditions, in order to evaluate and select efficient corn (Zea mays L.) inbred lines in the uptake and use of potassium in nutrient solution. In a first trial, six lines were grow n with 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mg K/liter, up to thirty four days of age, with the objective of determining the adequate K level for plant growth differentiation. In a second trial, thirty seven inbred lines were grown with 20 mg K/liter up to twenty five days of age. Both experiments were arranged in randomized complete blocks with four replications, in 2.8 liter pots with two plants per pot. The nutrient solutions were continuously aerated, without renewing, and plants were allowed to grow till K deficiency symptoms appeared in the lower leaves. Variations among lines were observed for shoot and root dry weights, for total K contents and dry matter produced per unit K absorbed (efficiency ratios). Larger variations among root systems (CV of means = 38.9%) than shoots (CV of means = 28.5%) were observed. Genotypes were ranked and classified, according to the total dry matter yields, in efficient, intermediate and inefficient plants. Variations in total K contents (CV of means = 9.0%) and in efficiency ratios (CV of means = 23.0%) showed high correlation with the total dry weights (r = 0.92 and 0.99, respectively). Both K uptake and K use mechanisms seemed to be involved, but the larger variations among efficiency ratios indicated that the K utilization process was the main factor limiting plant growth.
potassium; uptake; use; efficiency; corn inbred lines; nutrient solution