Drought stress and K effects on contents of soil water and organic matter, CEC, exchangeable-K, yield and water productivity of sweet corn on Inceptisols

Abstract The research was conducted to study the effects of drought stress and K fertilizer on plant growth, contents of soil water (SWC) and organic matter (SOM), cation exchange capacity (CEC), K-exchange, yield and water productivity of sweet corn ( Zea mays saccharata Sturt.) grown in Inceptisols. The research was conducted on a plastic house in a controlled culture experiment field, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Padjadjaran using a factorial randomized block design (RBD). The first factor was the four percentages of drought stress (0%, 20%, 40% and 60%). The second factor was three levels of KCl dose (1, 1.25 and 1.50 times the recommended dose of 50 kg ha −1 KCl). The treatment combinations were repeated three times. The interaction between 20-40% drought stress and 1.50 times dose of KCl had a significant effect on stem diameter and independently this KCl dose affected the leaf numbers, but without drought stress. The treatment without drought stress resulted in highest plant height and leaf area index, while drought stress of 40-60% gave higher SOM and CEC, even in 60% drought stress showed a higher exchangeable K. The application of 1.25 times dose of KCl caused higher K-uptake, while the treatment of 40% drought stress gave higher water productivity.