EFFECT OF POTASSIUM CHLORIDE (KCL) ON MUNGBEAN SEED GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH

Abstract

Potassium is an essential macronutrient that plays a critical role in regulating plant growth, physiological processes and stress tolerance. This study evaluated the effect of potassium chloride (KCl) on the germination, growth performance, biomass allocation, physiological traits, and stress tolerance indices of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) seedlings under potassium chloride application. The experiment was performed under controlled conditions using a completely randomized design with two treatments: control (0 ppm KCl) and KCl at 100 ppm, which were evaluated over four consecutive weeks. Growth, physiological, and tolerance-related parameters, including germination percentage, leaf area, relative water content (RWC), vigor index, biomass ratios, growth analysis traits, and stress tolerance indices, were recorded. The results revealed that KCl application significantly enhanced seedling performance compared to the control. The germination percentage increased by approximately 10–15%, and the leaf area showed an improvement of 18–25% under KCl treatment. The relative water content was enhanced by 12–20%, indicating improved water retention and cellular stability under stress. The vigor index increased by nearly 20–30%, indicating better seedling establishment. Biomass allocation was positively influenced, with root dry weight and root–shoot ratio increasing by 15–22%, suggesting enhanced root system development. Stress tolerance indices for plant height, root length, and biomass parameters were elevated by 35–50%, demonstrating improved growth maintenance under stress conditions. Notably, the root dry weight stress tolerance index reached values up to 150%, indicating the strong adaptive capacity of mungbean seedlings to potassium supplementation. Overall, the application of potassium chloride at 100 ppm KCl markedly improved the growth, physiological performance, and stress tolerance of mungbean seedlings under normal conditions. These findings suggest that K fertilization can be an effective strategy to enhance mungbean resilience and productivity in stress-prone agroecological environments.