Effect of different amounts of potassium fertilizer on the growth, nutrient uptake and quality of Lanzhou lily

Using N(150 kg/ha) and P(150 kg/ha) as basal fertilizer in dry conditions in a field experiment,the effects of different levels of potash fertilizer(0,112.5,225.0 and 337.5 kg/ha) on the growth,nutrient accumulation and quality of Lanzhou lily were studied.The average annual production of one-year,two-year,and three-year old Lanzhou lily increased(52.3±22.7)%,(132.0±52.0)% and(71.3±38.3)%,respectively in response to potassium.Total sugar and crude starch content of Lanzhou lily increased by an average of(4.1±1.92)% and(9.3±5.02)% respectively under potassium fertilizer treatment compared with no potassium fertilizer,while the soluble sugar,crude fiber and crude protein contents decreased(7.9±5.61)%,(7.5±6.91)% and(8.5±5.64)%.There were significant(P0.05) positive correlations between total sugar and crude starch contents of lily and potassium fertilizer amount,but significant(P0.05) negative correlations between crude fiber content and potassium fertilizer amount,and a significant(P0.01) negative correlation between protein content and potassium fertilizer amount.Potassium is one of the main factors that affects yield and quality of Lanzhou lily.