Search Results (1,680)

Phallus indusiatus is a prestigious macro-fungus with both nutritional and medicinal significance. However, its industrial development is limited by low yields and inconsistent quality, largely due to an incomplete understanding of the underlying soil microecological mechanisms. In this study, field experiments were conducted to measure soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), total potassium (TK), and pH across different growth stages. High-throughput sequencing was further employed to characterize the dynamic successions of bacterial and fungal communities. The results revealed a continuous depletion of SOC throughout the growth cycle, with a marked decrease in TN during the ovoid stage, whereas TP, TK, and pH showed increasing trends. Bacterial abundance followed a fluctuating “increase–decrease–increase” pattern, reaching its lowest level during the ovoid stage; similarly, fungal abundance initially decreased and subsequently increased, also attaining its minimum at the ovoid stage. Based on these stage-specific soil dynamics, targeted management strategies are proposed, including the application of basal carbon fertilizers supplemented with low-concentration phosphorus and potassium, the integration of slow-release nitrogen fertilizers, and the inoculation of functional microbes such as Massilia, Acidobacteriaceae, and Terriglobales. Dynamic regulation of soil pH is also recommended. This study provides a theoretical framework and technical guidance for the sustainable and high-efficiency cultivation of P. indusiatus and contributes to the broader development of the edible fungus industry. Full article

Identifying soil nutrient limiting factors and fertilization effects in the irrigated silty soil region of Ningxia is key to improving wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) quality and yield. A field experiment was conducted with five treatments: conventional fertilization (TF), recommended fertilization (RF), nitrogen deficiency (RF-N), phosphorus deficiency (RF-P), and potassium deficiency (RF-K). The results showed that under RF, soil nutrients remained at relatively high levels, with no significant differences compared with TF. In contrast, RF-N significantly reduced soil mineral nitrogen, total nitrogen, and organic matter compared with TF, and inhibited plant growth, photosynthesis, and plant accumulation of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Wheat yields under RF and RF-K showed no significant differences from those under TF, whereas RF-N and RF-P significantly reduced yields by 42.68% and 22.69%, respectively, relative to RF, mainly due to decreases in spike length and grain number per spike. The increase in yield was associated with synergistic increases in grain number per spike, spike number per hectare, and spike length. Yield components were significantly positively correlated with soil organic matter, total phosphorus, and mineral nitrogen, with soil total phosphorus identified as the environmental factor most strongly associated with wheat yield. Grain protein content was significantly positively correlated with soil mineral nitrogen, while starch content was significantly negatively correlated, indicating that mineral nitrogen is a key factor regulating grain quality. In summary, nitrogen fertilizer is the primary limiting factor in this region. Applying nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium together synergistically enhances wheat yield by increasing soil total phosphorus levels and improves grain quality by regulating soil mineral nitrogen. Thus, this combined fertilization strategy provides a foundation for precise nutrient management and the simultaneous improvement of both yield and quality. Full article

As an organic soil amendment, biochar can effectively increase the contents of soil nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). However, few studies have focused on the effects of biochar on K fractions and contents in maize rhizosphere soil. To investigate the effects of biochar on different K fractions in maize rhizosphere soil and on maize growth, four treatments were established in this experiment: B₀K₀ (control, no biochar and no K fertilizer), B₀K₁ (no biochar, K fertilizer at 60 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), B₁K₀ (biochar at 2.625 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, no K fertilizer), and B₁K₁ (biochar at 2.625 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ combined with K fertilizer at 60 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹). Results indicate that biochar significantly increased microbial biomass carbon (MBC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and electrical conductivity (EC) in the rhizosphere soil, while also improving rhizosphere soil pH. Compared with the treatment without biochar, biochar application significantly increased the content of water-soluble potassium (WSK), exchangeable potassium (EK), and non-exchangeable potassium (NEK) in the rhizosphere soil by 18.57% (2021) and 11.18% (2022), 13.49% (2021) and 11.43% (2022), 14.65% (2021) and 17.06% (2022), respectively. However, the increases in different K fractions were not accompanied by significant changes in total K (TK) content across the two years. In addition, biochar application significantly improved maize root development, plant height, stem diameter, and leaf area index. Meanwhile, aboveground dry weight and K uptake increased significantly by 13.87% (2021) and 12.04% (2022), and 41.84% (2021) and 43.87% (2022), respectively. Compared with B₀K₀, the B₁K₁ treatment—which combined biochar with K fertilizer—exhibited the highest K content in all forms within the rhizosphere soil, along with the greatest maize aboveground dry weight and K uptake. This study demonstrates biochar’s potential in meeting crop root K demands, laying the foundation for its application in enhancing soil K fertility. Full article

Rapid dissolution of conventional fertilizers causes low nutrient-use efficiency and serious leaching losses, contributing to agricultural non-point source pollution. In this study, biomass-based slow-release fertilizer beads were prepared by ionic crosslinking of potato starch (ST), chitosan (CS), and corn-straw biochar (BC), using potassium nitrate (KNO₃) as the model nutrient. The effects of ST/CS ratio and BC incorporation on bead structure, swelling, nutrient loading, release kinetics, and soil-column leaching were systematically investigated. Biochar incorporation formed a more compact and interconnected porous network and reduced the equilibrium swelling ratios of ST90/CS10, ST80/CS20, and ST70/CS30 from 188%, 176%, and 164% to 168%, 136%, and 104%, respectively. Although BC slightly decreased KNO₃ loading capacity, it markedly slowed nutrient release; ST80/CS20/BC20 released 31.09%, 50.09%, and 81.82% of loaded KNO₃ at 24, 72, and 504 h, respectively, which were 28.40%, 25.27%, and 11.30% lower than those of ST80/CS20. Kinetic fitting indicated that BC reduced the apparent release rate and promoted diffusion-controlled release behavior. Soil-column experiments further showed that the beads reduced NO₃⁻-N and K⁺ leaching compared with free KNO₃, with ST80/CS20/BC20 showing the best balance between nutrient loading and release control. These results suggest that starch–chitosan–biochar beads are a promising biodegradable matrix for slow-release fertilizer applications. Full article

The yield of apple trees as a function of potassium fertilization and the critical levels (CLs) and sufficiency ranges (SRs) of K in the soil, leaves, and fruits were determined in two experiments (two orchards) in four crop seasons. Plants of “Royal Gala” and “Fuji Suprema” cultivars were treated with 0, 50, 100, 150, or 200 kg K₂O ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. Potassium was applied annually during the bud swelling phase and onto the soil surface in the projection of the plant canopy, without incorporation. Critical levels and SR were estimated by Bayesian segmented quantile regression models. The cultivar factor was the main source of variation in fruit yield, K concentration in leaves and pulp, and K exported by apples. The crop season was the second factor with the greatest contribution to apple yield and K concentrations in leaves. When data from all crop seasons and orchards were pooled, yield did not vary by K treatments. The concentration of K in the leaf and fruit pulp also did not change as a function of the K dose with grouped data. For fruit production, the CL of K in the soil was 170 mg dm⁻³ for both cultivars; 17.8 g kg⁻¹ and 15.8 g kg⁻¹ in leaf for “Fuji Suprema” and “Royal Gala”, respectively; 1150 mg kg⁻¹ and 1080 mg kg⁻¹ in fruit pulp for “Fuji Suprema” and “Royal Gala”, respectively. The lack of response to K fertilization indicates that the trees were operating within a nutritional plateau. Consequently, we recommend that K fertilization in subtropical apple orchards be guided strictly by soil and plant analysis. For orchards exceeding the soil critical level of 170 mg dm⁻³ and leaf concentrations of 17.8 g kg⁻¹ and 15.8 g kg⁻¹ in leaf for “Fuji Suprema” and “Royal Gala”, respectively, and 1150 mg kg⁻¹ and 1080 mg kg⁻¹ in fruit pulp for “Fuji Suprema” and “Royal Gala”, respectively, K applications may be reduced or temporarily withheld under similar high-K soil conditions, provided that soil and plant nutritional status are regularly monitored. This management strategy ensures high yields and more efficient and sustainable nutrient management. Full article

Sesame is a considerable oilseed crop, but its growth and production are restricted by drought. Potassium (K) is well known for its mitigating effects against drought. Here, two consecutive years of experiments were conducted with varying K fertilizer rates (0, 60, and 120 kg K₂O ha⁻¹) under well-watered and drought conditions to evaluate the impacts of K on sesame seed quality. The results demonstrated that, compared to well-watered conditions, drought caused a decline in seed oil content (5.9–8.6%) but inversely induced an increase in seed K (8.5–23.8%), lignans (10.2–21.6%), and essential amino acids over a period of 2 years. Potassic fertilizer significantly increased seed K, oil, and lignans contents, aligning with ameliorative oil and protein yield relative to K deficiency plants under drought. Moreover, K supply (especially 120 kg K₂O ha⁻¹) increased proline and tryptophan contents by 5.2% and 4.9% under drought compared to the plants without K application, which contributed to producing lignans and enhancing the capacity against oxidative changes. Under drought, 60 and 120 kg K₂O ha⁻¹ application significantly increased linoleic (5.5–9.3%), and stearic acids (7.1–13.7%) content while decreasing palmitic (5.3–14.7%), oleic (4.6–6.4%), and linolenic acids (4.8–11.9%) content, respectively, thereby increasing the ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids and unsaturation index compared with control without K. Overall, K application at the rate of 120 kg K₂O ha⁻¹ could be considered as a practical and straightforward strategy to improve the quality of sesame seed products by increasing seed K, oil, lignans, linoleic acid, and unsaturated index for pharmaceutical and food purposes in areas encountering drought stress. Full article

The black soil layer has undergone substantial degradation in Northeast China, and it is crucial to adopt reasonable tillage measures to prevent black soil degradation. Organic amendment strategies provide an effective solution for mitigating nutrient loss in black soil; meanwhile, there is still a lack of systematic investigation into their impact on soil microbial communities. Thus, we carried out a five-year field experiment from 2020 to 2025 in Jilin Province. Four organic amendment strategies were set up: conventional tillage (CT); straw returning (SR); straw returning + inorganic fertilizer (SRI); and straw returning + inorganic fertilizer + organic fertilizer (SRIO). Furthermore, we investigated the effects of organic materials on soil properties and microbial communities during the maize seedling stage. The results showed that SR significantly increased the relative abundance of Bradyrhizobium, Tausonia and Coprinopsis, while SRI led to a 140.3% increase in Nocardioides. In SRIO treatment, Gaiella and Fusarium were significantly enriched by 103.9% and 142.5%, respectively. Moreover, SR treatment significantly decreased the fungal Shannon and Simpson index by 18.8% and 4.2%, respectively. Organic matter, alkali nitrogen, and available potassium were the primary environmental factors shaping both bacterial and fungal community structures. Additionally, the co-occurrence network suggested that straw returning promoted more diverse interactions among soil bacterial and fungal communities. Our study highlights the potential of organic amendment strategies in enhancing black soil nutrients, as well as their important role in maintaining soil microbial function and stability. Full article

Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are essential elements for plants and are also the main limiting elements in the growth process. In order to investigate the effects of fertilization on the nutrient content and stoichiometric ratio of Pinus yunnanensis seedlings, we implemented a complete 3 × 3 factorial design incorporating three nitrogen levels (0, 0.4, and 0.8 g·plant-1) and three phosphorus levels (0, 3, and 6 g·plant-1), yielding nine distinct treatment combinations. The contents of N, P, and K in different organs of P. yunnanensis were determined, and their stoichiometric ratios were calculated. N content ranked as needle > root > stem; P content was in the order of root > stem > needle; and K content showed the pattern of stem > needle > root. Fertilization did not alter the above nutrient distribution patterns; it significantly influenced nutrient concentrations and stoichiometry. Single applications of nitrogen fertilizer had the most significant effect on nutrient content; compared with the unfertilized control, single nitrogen application increased needle N content by 1.13-fold. Combined nitrogen and phosphorus application preferentially promoted the accumulation of N relative to P in stems; specifically, under combined N-P treatment, stem N content increased by 1.11-fold while stem P content increased by 1.03-fold, indicating a greater relative increase in N. In terms of stoichiometric ratio, fertilization increased N:P, particularly in the root and needle; root N:P increased by 1.19-fold under T8 (0.8 g N + 3 g P) and needle N:P increased by 1.17-fold under T2 (3 g P alone), both indicating a mitigation of N limitation. Consistent with the nutrient content results, single nitrogen application exerted the greatest effect on stoichiometric ratio, followed by nitrogen and phosphorus combined application, and single phosphorus application had the least effect. These findings suggest that fertilization can alter nutrient allocation and stoichiometric relationships in Pinus yunnanensis, which may affect its growth and metabolic processes, but further studies are needed to link these changes to seedling growth. Full article

High temperature during flowering and grain filling severely reduces rice yield and grain quality. Split potassium (K) fertilization can mitigate such heat-induced damage, yet its mechanisms linking grain filling, endogenous hormones and grain performance remain unclear. Here, a two-year pot experiment was conducted to explore the effects of split K application on rice yield, quality and hormonal metabolism under high temperature. Four treatments included ambient temperature with full basal K (AT-K₁₀₀), high temperature with full basal K (HT-K₁₀₀), and two split K regimes under high temperature (HT-K₇₀₊₃₀, HT-K₃₀₊₇₀). Split K application decreased abscisic acid (ABA) levels at 5 days after anthesis (DAA), increased indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), zeatin riboside (ZR) and gibberellin A3 (GA₃) at 5 DAA, and maintained higher IAA and GA₃ levels until 20 DAA. The ratios of ABA/IAA and ABA/GA₃ were also reduced at both 5 and 20 DAA. These hormonal alterations optimized grain-filling dynamics, prolonged active filling duration and improved middle- and late-stage filling rates, thereby promoting grain weight accumulation and suppressing chalkiness formation. Compared with HT-K₁₀₀, HT-K₇₀₊₃₀ increased yield by 8.75%, which was attributed to improved seed-setting rate and 1000-grain weight. HT-K₃₀₊₇₀ enhanced spikelet number per panicle, seed-setting rate and 1000-grain weight, but significantly decreased effective panicles, resulting in no obvious yield advantage. Furthermore, split K application effectively reduced grain chalkiness, with a more pronounced effect at a higher panicle-stage K proportion. Under ongoing global warming, K management can be tailored to production goals: higher basal K is preferable for yield pursuit, while increasing panicle K topdressing effectively improves grain quality. Full article

This study investigated the mechanism underlying how the integration of chemical fertilizer and maize straw-derived organic amendments affects different potassium (K) pools, K saturation, K fixation characteristics, and non-exchangeable potassium (NEK) release kinetics in black soil. A field experiment involving five treatments was conducted: no fertilizer (CK), chemical fertilizer alone (NPK), chemical fertilizer plus maize straw (NPK+ST), chemical fertilizer plus straw compost (NPK+CP), and chemical fertilizer plus straw biochar (NPK+BR). The findings demonstrated remarkably increased contents of different K pools and K saturation in the black soil following the combined application of straw-derived organic amendments, with NPK+CP exhibiting the most significant effect. Exogenous K fixation simulation tests indicated that the amount of K fixation in the black soil increased with the incorporation of exogenous K, while the fixation rate showed the opposite trend. The quadratic regression model well fitted the relationship between the amount of K fixation and the addition of exogenous K; the treatments were ranked according to the soil K fixation capacity as follows: CK > NPK > NPK+BR > NPK+ST > NPK+CP. The simplified Elovich model well fitted the NEK release process in the black soil under different treatments. Significant differences in total cumulative NEK release and apparent release rate coefficients were observed among the treatments, which showed an identical trend: NPK+CP > NPK+BR > NPK+ST > NPK > CK. The application of straw-derived organic amendments could effectively reduce the K fixation capacity of black soil and promote NEK release. In this study, chemical fertilizer combined with straw compost was the optimal measure for improving black soil’s potassium availability. Full article

The red macroalga Kappaphycus alvarezii, widely cultivated for carrageenan extraction, has emerged as a promising blue economy resource of bioactive compounds for sustainable agriculture. However, knowledge regarding the composition, mechanisms of action, agronomic effects, and large-scale applicability of K. alvarezii-based products remains fragmented. Therefore, this review provides an overview of the potential of K. alvarezii and its by-products for the development of agricultural bioinputs, addressing species diversity, cultivation practices, chemical characterization of bioactive compounds, and their agronomic applications. Literature evidence indicates that K. alvarezii biomass is rich in sulfated polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, photoprotective pigments, fatty acids, and metabolites with hormone-like activity, which have been associated with enhanced plant growth, increased photosynthetic efficiency, and improved tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, resulting in productivity gains in crops such as rice, maize, sugarcane, soybean, and vegetables. In addition, biomass represents a potential source of potassium and micronutrients that can complement conventional fertilization. Recent technological advances, as well as regulatory aspects and challenges related to the integration of these products into the global agricultural market, are also discussed. Overall, the evidence highlights the potential of K. alvarezii as a renewable resource for the development of innovative agricultural bioinputs, as biofertilizers and plant biostimulants. Full article

Rational fertilization directly affects the fruit quality of the Korla fragrant pear. However, the variation patterns of fruit appearance and texture indicators under different N-P₂O₅-K₂O ratios are complex, and redundancy among high-dimensional indicators restricts the practical application of quality discrimination and fertilization traceability. In this study, Korla fragrant pear fruits harvested under eight fertilization treatments (including the control) were selected as research materials. Significant differences existed in nutrient composition and application rate among treatments: no N-P₂O₅-K₂O was applied in the CK treatment; for treatments H1–H7, nitrogen (N) application rate ranged from 396.36 to 524.2 g·plant⁻¹, phosphorus (P₂O₅) from 326.08 to 652.17 g·plant⁻¹, and potassium (K₂O) from 450.67 to 1200.08 g·plant⁻¹, with the most prominent differences observed in P-K ratios and application rates. On this basis, 12 appearance and flesh texture indicators were determined, including single-fruit weight, longitudinal diameter, transverse diameter, fruit shape index, pericarp thickness, sclereid content, hardness, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, springiness, gumminess and chewiness. Three machine-learning algorithms, namely Random Forest (RF), Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) and K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), were used to construct fruit quality discriminant models. The results showed that the RF model achieved the optimal discriminative performance, with accuracy values of 0.876 and 0.865 for the training and validation sets, respectively. Seven core quality indicators, including sclereid content and longitudinal diameter, were screened via feature-importance intersection analysis. The reconstructed RF model based on this indicator set exhibited nearly no loss in discriminative accuracy despite a ~42% reduction in indicator quantity, providing theoretical and technical support for quality grading, fertilization traceability and precision fertilization of Korla fragrant pear. Full article

This study explored the effects of one mineral fertilizer and two microbial inoculants and their combined applications on soil physicochemical properties, bacterial community structure, and plant growth of Cymbidium faberi under potted cultivation, aiming to provide theoretical and technical support for the sustainable cultivation of ornamental orchids. A single-factor randomized block experiment was designed with eight treatments: control (CK), mineral sulfosulfuric acid potassium (HF), Bacillus subtilis (KC), Trichoderma harzianum (HC), mineral sulfosulfuric acid potassium + Bacillus subtilis (HK), mineral sulfosulfuric acid potassium + Trichoderma harzianum (HH), Bacillus subtilis + Trichoderma harzianum (KH), and mineral sulfosulfuric acid potassium + Bacillus subtilis + Trichoderma harzianum (HKH). Plant growth traits, soil properties, and soil bacterial community characteristics were measured. The effects of inoculant agents on Cymbidium faberi growth, soil environment, and bacterial community, as well as their interaction relationships, were systematically analyzed. The combination of three inoculants significantly promoted plant height and leaf thickness in Cymbidium faberi. Compared with CK, the relative abundance of Pseudomonadota and Bacteroidota in HH treatment increased by 6.0% and 11.0%, respectively, while the relative abundance of Acidobacteriota and Verrucomicrobiota decreased by 6.0% and 12.0%, respectively. Venn diagram analysis revealed 146 ASVs shared among all treatments. KC, HC, and HF had more unique ASVs, whereas HK and HKH had the fewest. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to visualize differences in bacterial community structure. Significant differences among treatments were confirmed using ANOSIM. Ecological network analysis indicated predominantly positive (cooperative) associations among bacterial taxa, with HKH showing the highest proportion of positive edges, suggesting stronger bacterial cooperation. Correlation analysis showed that Patesibacteria, Acidobacterita, and Planctomycetota were significantly negatively correlated with pH and TP, while Bacteroidota, Actinomycetota, and Methylomirabilota were significantly positively correlated with pH. The Mantel analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between bacterial community composition and richness and pH. Further analysis using the structural equation model revealed that soil nutrients and bacterial communities were the main factors affecting plant growth. This study clarifies the response rules of plant growth, soil physicochemical properties and rhizosphere bacterial communities to different mineral fertilizer and microbial inoculant combinations, and provides a practical basis for the rational screening of functional inoculants and the construction of healthy rhizosphere microecosystems in Cymbidium faberi pot cultivation. Full article

Salt stress remains a major global stress factor among abiotic stresses limiting crop production. Salt stress is a major nutritional challenge, with poor agricultural production characterized by high soil sodium (Na⁺) levels in soil and plants. Soil salinity negatively affects plants through both osmotic effects and ionic toxicity. Hence, one of the main aims of agricultural scientists is to develop eco-friendly, sustainable solutions to alleviate soil salinity. Over the past decades, several studies have recommended biochar as a vital sustainable soil amendment to alleviate the negative consequences of soil salinity. Thus, this review builds on the literature on biochar-mediated alleviation of salt stress. Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced from biomass and feedstock via pyrolysis under little or no oxygen conditions. Due to its unique characteristics, such as high carbon, high surface area with porous and aromatic structure, high pH, high stability, cation exchange capacity, and water and nutrient retention capacity, it is considered an alternative for salt stress alleviation. Moreover, biochar facilitates sodium ion (Na⁺) adsorption, reduces Na⁺ uptake, and increases potassium ion (K⁺) uptake, enhancing nutrient cycling, helping plants maintain ionic balance and osmotic regulation. This, in turn, significantly increased the activity and diversity of soil microorganisms, enhanced their adhesion, and promoted their growth, thereby strengthening the plant’s salt resistance. Moreover, biochar-mediated improvements in microbial community dynamics and changes in the physical and biological properties of soil contribute to overall plant and soil health under salt stress. Hence, the present review aims to decipher the holistic patterns of biochar on soil and plant health, changes in physiological and defense mechanisms, plant hormones and signaling mechanisms, and the status of modified biochar under salt stress. Thus, the present review will pave the way for the production of salt-resilient crops with enhanced salinity tolerance. In conclusion, the use of biochar-based fertilizers and modified biochar enhanced microbial community dynamics in soil health homeostasis and soil fertility for agricultural production and food security. Full article

In Inner Mongolia, a major potato-producing region of China, suboptimal potassium (K) fertilization often compromises tuber quality and affects yield. A two-year field study (2022–2023) evaluated the effects of different K application rates and blending ratios with polyhalite (POLY4) on the mid-to-late maturing cultivar ‘Dafeng 10′. In 2022, five treatments were established: no K (2T1); conventional K (K₂O 300 kg hm⁻²) with 13% (2T2) or 37% (2T3) POLY4; and reduced K (K₂O 200 kg hm⁻²) with 18.5% (2T4) or 31.5% (2T5) POLY4. In 2023, four treatments were set: no K (3T1); conventional K (K₂O 315 kg hm⁻², 3T2); and two reduced K treatments (K₂O 240 kg hm⁻², 3T3; and the same blend as 2T4, 3T4). Reduced K treatments enhanced K partial factor productivity and agronomic efficiency. Specific blends (e.g., 2T3, 2T4, 3T3, 3T4) significantly (p < 0.05) improved photosynthetic parameters at 70–90 days after planting. Critically, a moderate K reduction combined with a low POLY4 ratio (18.5% in 2T4/3T4) achieved the highest yield increases (35.6% in 2022, 22.6% in 2023) without a significant yield penalty, while promoting stem K accumulation. Thus, tailored K-POLY4 blending with 18.5% POLY4 under a reduced total K rate (200 kg K₂O ha⁻¹, i.e., approximately 33–36% less than the conventional rate) is an optimal strategy for synergistically improving yield, K use efficiency, and sustainability in local potato production. Full article