The Impact of Potassium Sources and Bio Fertilizer on Corn Plant and Potassium Availability in Calcareous Soil

Two field experiments were conducted in a calcareous soil during summer seasons of 2019 and 2020 at the experimental in a private farm Mallawi, El- Minia Governorate, Egypt to evaluate application of K fertilization at different rates of K2SO4 and non-classic products, i.e. K feldspar, mixture with or without inoculation with the K dissolving bacteria (Bacillus circulans.) soil chemical properties, plant growth, yield and nutritional value of corn (Zea-maize hybrid third 310). Our results proved that inoculation of maize seeds with Bacillus circulans at rate of 36% K2O improved soil pH, EC, soil organic matter content and enhanced the soil available N, P and K concentrations. Also, the growth parameters, yield and nutritional status of the plants were significantly increased by using non-traditional potassium fertilizers particularly in the case of seed inoculated with potassium dissolving bacteria (Bacillus circulans).