Effect of NaCl and KCl to the Growth and Nutrient Level of Upland
Rice in an Ultisol
Elli Efrida
Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, UNIVA, Medan
Keywords: NaCl, KCl, Upland Rice, Ultisol
Abstract: We evaluated the effects of KCl substitution by NaCl on the growth and nutrient level of upland rice an
Ultisol during four months in Panca Budi Experimental Farm, Medan, Indonesia. The study used a two-
factor randomized block design with three replications. The first factor is NaCl, consisting of 5 levels.
namely: 0 mg NaCl/polybag; 118 mg NaCl/polybag; 235 mg NaCl/polybag; 350 mg NaCl/polybag and 470
mg NaCl/polybag. The second factor is KCl, consistingof 5 levels namely 0 mg KCl/polybag, 150 mg
KCl/polybag, 300 mg KCl/polybag, 450 mg KCl/polybag and 600 mg KCl/polybag.The results showed that
NaClsignificantly increased the nutrient levels of N, P, Na, KCl also significantly increased the nutrients
levels of N, P, K. However, NaCl and KCl applications did not increase the growth of upland rice. The
effect of KCl substitution by NaCl to 100% (470 mg/polybag)did not decrease the growth and nutrient
levels of the plant.
1 INTRODUCTION
Fertilizer continues to increase in line with
agricultural intensification efforts around the world
in general and in Indonesia in particular.
Accordingly, the price of fertilizer continues to rise
due to increasing price of energy used to produce the
fertilizer (Subowo, 2010).
The rising price of fertilizer has encouraged
developing countries to make low-cost efforts to
increase agricultural production such as the
utilization of micro-organisms that can fertilize the
soil. Algae, Rhizobium and Azolla are now being
used to fix N (nitrogen) from the air as well as
mycorrhizae to increase the ability of plants to
absorb P (phosphorus) from the soil. There is no
microorganism that can be utilized for K (potassium)
because the element is not in the air and minerals are
generally soluble easily (Elmer, 2004).
According to Emery (in Yufdy and Jumbar,
2018) seawater contains many ions which result in
high salinity and the distribution of nutrients in
seawater is influenced by sea water circulation,
biological processes and mineralization and nutrient
regeneration and supply from land. Naturally,
leached nutrient from the mainland is only a small
part back to the land, enriching the sea with
nutrients. Some nutrients dissolve in the sea water
and some settle at the bottom. Manurung states that
it is the time to take advantage of nutrients in the
sea. The sea salts can be produced in a very simple
and inexhaustible way, because sea salt is a waste of
the process of soil leaching, a natural process that
will not stop.
The main component of sea salt is NaCl. The
sodium chloride is considered to replace some KCl
fertilizers for various crops or used as additional
fertilizer for the crops. Other components useful
materials for agriculture are Ca, Mg, S, K, P and
various micro elements. Since NaCl is not harmful
to many crops, then it can be used as fertilizer.
Besides saving the use of KCl fertilizer through
partial replacement by NaCl, will also obtain a
number of other elements contained in the salt
(Kusumiyati, et al., 2017).
The research aimed to study the effect of KCl
substitution by NaCl on the growth and nutrients
level of upland rice.
Afrida, E.
Effect of NaCl and KCl to the Growth and Nutrient Level of Upland Rice in an Ultisol.
DOI: 10.5220/0008883301430148
In Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research (ICMR 2018) - , pages 143-148
ISBN: 978-989-758-437-4
Copyright
c
2020 by SCITEPRESS – Science and Technology Publications, Lda. All rights reserved
143
2 METHODOLOGY
The research was conducted in Panca Budi
Experimental Farm, Medan, Indonesia. The soils
used as growing medium are Ultisol taken from
TanjungMorawa, North Sumatra. Soil analysis
showed that K-exchangeable is 0.65 me/100 g and
Na exchangeable is 0.08 me/100 g. The upland rice
seed is Kalimutu varieties. The fertilizer used is
Urea (45% N) and TSP (46% P
2
O
5
) as basic
fertilizer and KCl (60% K
2
O) and NaCl used is
ordinary salt (52.03% Na
2
O). Pesticides used are
insecticides Curater 2 G, Benlate, Bassa 50 EC,
Sevin 85 S, Diazonin, Zine phosphide and fungicide
Fongorene 50 WP to control pests and diseases.
The study use randomized two factors block
design with three replications. Treatment of
NatriumChlorida (NaCl = 52,03% Na
2
O) is: Na0 = 0
kg NaCl/ha = 0 mg NaCl/polybag; Na1 = 29.40 kg
NaCl/ha = 118 mg NaCl/polybag; Na2 = 58.85 kg
NaCl/ha = 235 mg NaCl/polybag; Na3 = 88.35 kg
NaCl/ha = 350 mg NaCl/polybag’ Na4 = 118.20 kg
NaCl/ha = 470 mg NaCl/polybag. Treatment of
PottasiumChlorida (KCl = 60% K
2
O) is: K0 = 0 kg
KCl/ha = 0 mg KCl/polybag; K1 =37.5 kg KCl/ha =
150 mg KCl/polybag; K2 = 75.0 kg KCl/ha = 300
mg KCl/polybag; K3 = 112.5 kg KCl/ha = 450 mg
KCl/polybag; K4 = 150.0 kg KCl/ha = 600 mg
KCl/polybag. The level of NaCl treatment was
adjusted with the recommended dosage of KCl
fertilizer in upland rice, where the equation was K =
Na. The parameters recorded are growth and levels
of nutrient plants. Nutrient levels of N and P plants
were analyzed by auto analyzer. Nutrient levels of K
and Mg plants were analyzed by ASS (Atomic
Absorption Spectrofotometer). The data was
analyzed using SPSS.
3 RESULT
3.1 The Plant Growth
Analysis of variance showed that application of
NaCl and KCl and their interaction did not show
significant effect on the plant growth including plant
height, number of productive tillers and number of
tillers at 4 weeks after planting until flowering time.
Table 1: Effect of KCl and NaCl to the Growth Upland
Rice.
Treatment
Observation Variable
NaCl
(mg/polyb
ag)
Plant
Height
(cm)
Number
of Tillers
(tillers)
Number of
Productive
Tillers (tillers)
0
128.13
5.60
5.93
118
129.13
5.74
6.40
235
130.08
5.40
6.07
350
129.12
5.80
5.80
470
128.61
5.67
6.07
KCl
(mg/polyb
ag)
0
127.57
5.80
5.73
150
129.33
5.67
5.73
300
128.19
5.60
6.33
450
129.17
5.27
6.20
600
130.92
5.87
6.27
Table 1 shows that the application of KCl up to
600 mg/polybag and NaCl up to 470 mg/polybag
does not show a significant difference compared to
the control, as well as the combination of these two
factors do not show a significant difference to the
plant height. The combination without KCl and
NaCl 470 mg/polybag (K
0
Na
4
) results not much
different from the application of KCl 600
mg/polybag and without the application of NaCl
(K
0
Na
4
). This showed that the application of NaCl to
470 mg/polybag did not reduce the high of upland
rice on soil with K content of 0.65 me/100 g soil and
Na content of 0.08 me/100 g soil.
Table 1 shows that the application of KCl up to
600 mg/polybag and NaCl up to 470 mg/polybag
does not show a significant difference compared to
the control, as well as the combination of these two
factors do not show a significant difference on the
number of tillers. Results of combination without
KCl and NaCl 470 mg/polybag (K
0
Na
4
) is not much
different from the application of KCl 600
mg/polybag and without the application of NaCl
(K
0
Na
4
). This showed that the application of NaCl to
470 mg/polybag did not reduce the number of tiller
of upland rice.
Table 1 shows that the application of KCl up to
600 mg/polybag and NaCl up to 470 mg/polybag
does not show a significant difference on the number
of productive tillers compared to the control, as well
as the combination of these two factors does not
show a significant difference. Results of
combination without KCl and NaCl 470 mg/polybag
(K
0
Na
4
) is not much different from the application of
KCl 600 mg/polybag and without the application of
NaCl (K
4
Na
0
). This showed thatthe application of
ICMR 2018 - International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research
144
NaCl up to 470 mg/polybag did not reduce the
number of productive tiller of upland rice.
Generally, KCl application up to 600 mg/polybag
and NaCl up to 470 mg/polybag do notsuppress the
growth of upland rice.
3.2 Effect of KCl Substitution by NaCl
of the Growth of Upland Rice
From Table 1,it can be presented the results of
research on the effect of KCl replacement by NaCl
on plant height, number of tillers and number of
productive tillers as presented in Table 2 below.
Table 2: Effect of KCl Substitution by NaCl to the Growth
Upland Rice.
Treatment
Observation Variable
KCl
Substitutions
NaCl
Number
of
Tillers
(tillers)
Number of
Productive
Tillers
(tillers)
0% KCl 0%
NaCl
5.00
5.00
100% KCl 0%
NaCl
6.33
6.33
75% KCl 25%
NaCl
5.67
6.33
50% KCl 50%
NaCl
5.67
6.33
25% KCl 75%
NaCl
5.67
5.33
0% KCl 100%
NaCl
6.00
6.33
Table 2 shows that KCl substitution by NaCl up
to 100% did not show any significant difference on
plant height, number of tillers and number of
productive tillers. This means that replacing KCl by
NaCl up to 100% does not prevent or inhibit the
plant metabolic process so there is no difference in
growth between KCl 100% treatment with
KClsubstitutionby NaCl up to 100% but looks better
than control although not significantly different.
This shows that the substitutionof KCl by NaCl does
not negatively affect plant growth.
Growth on salty soils is directly related to plant
resistance to osmotic pressure and poisoning by
specific ions, such as Na
+
and Cl
-
. These ions move
to plant roots zone through mass flow. Before
reaching the critical threshold, the accumulation of
ions can still be tolerated so that no toxic effects
occur.
Sabban (2012) states that the effect of sodium
chloride or salt on plant growth is related to
maintaining water content in the leaves and is
associated with Na and K ion pumps
This is in line with the research finding that soil
physical and chemical properties are not adversely
affected by NaCl application. Na content is
considered to be harmful to the soil physical state if
the percentage of Na-exchangeable exceeds 10%
(Hayward, 1947 inSabban, 2012). In this study, the
percentage of Na-exchangeable is still below 3%.
3.3 Nutrient Level
The result of analysis of variance showed that NaCl
significantly increased N, P and Na concentration
but did not indicate significantly effect on K and
Mg. KCl fertilizers significantly increase the nutrient
content of N, P and K and decrease the
concentration of Na, but has no significant effect on
Mg. The interaction did not show any significant
effect on all parameters measured.
Table 3: Effect of KCl and NaCl to the N level (%).
KCl treatment
(mg/polybag)
NaCl (mg/polybag)
Average
0
(Na
0
)
118
(Na
1
)
235
(Na
2
)
350
(Na
3
)
470
(Na
4
)
0 (K
0
)
150 (K
1
)
300 (K
2
)
450 (K
3
)
600 (K
4
)
3.29
3.30
3.32
3.31
3.43
3.27
3.31
3.34
3.31
3.43
3.24
3.32
3.37
3.46
3.43
3.35
3.31
3.33
3.40
3.43
3.38
3.34
3.45
3.48
3.46
3.31 a
3.32 a
3.36 ab
3.39 ab
3.44 b
Average
3.33a
3.33a
3.36ab
3.36ab
3.42b
Note: Data in the same column and row followed by the common letters are not significantly different at the 5% levels
according to the LSD test
Application of NaCl significantly increased the
nutrient content of N of upland rice at 470
mg/polybag while KCl significantly increased the
nutrient content of N at 600 mg/polybag, but the
combination of both factors did not significantly
affect the nutrient content of N.
The increased dose of NaCl applied will increase
N content of upland rice. Susanti (2017) states that
Effect of NaCl and KCl to the Growth and Nutrient Level of Upland Rice in an Ultisol
145
NaCl levels have a significant effect on all growth
parameters and yield of lettuce. Thus the use of
NaCl is very beneficial because the upland rice will
be more efficient using the given nutrients.
Increasing N nutrient levels of upland rice due to
KCl application may due to function of potassium to
balance the anion and affect the extraction as well as
transport of the anion.
Table 4: Effect of KCl and NaCl to the P level (%).
KCl treatment
(mg/polybag)
NaCl (mg/polybag)
Average
0
(Na
0
)
118
(Na
1
)
235
(Na
2
)
350
(Na
3
)
470
(Na
4
)
0 (K
0
)
150 (K
1
)
300 (K
2
)
450 (K
3
)
600 (K
4
)
0.12
0.12
0.13
0.12
0.13
0.13
0.13
0.13
0.13
0.13
0.13
0.13
0.13
0.13
0.13
0.12
0.13
0.13
0.14
0.13
0.13
0.13
0.14
0.14
0.14
0.12 a
0.13 b
0.13 b
0.13 b
0.13 b
Average
0.12 a
0.13b
0.13b
0.13b
0.14b
Note: Data in the same column and row followed by the common letters are not significantly different at the 5% levels
according to the LSD test
KCl significantly increased the nutrient content
of P at 600 mg/polybag, but the combination of both
factors did not significantly affect the nutrient
content of P.
The increased dose of NaCl and KCl applied will
increase P content of upland rice. This is due to
better condition of soil P-available that can be
absorbed by plant.
Table 5: Effect of KCl and NaCl to the K level (%).
KCl treatment
(mg/polybag)
NaCl (mg/polybag)
Average
0
(Na
0
)
118
(Na
1
)
235
(Na
2
)
350
(Na
3
)
470
(Na
4
)
0 (K
0
)
150 (K
1
)
300 (K
2
)
450 (K
3
)
600 (K
4
)
2.24
2.34
2.40
2.45
2.56
2.24
2.31
2.39
2.40
2.47
2.23
2.31
2.35
2.34
2.43
2.22
2.30
2.31
2.34
2.42
2.18
2.23
2.32
2.31
2.34
2.22 a
2.30ab
2.35ab
2.37ab
2.44 b
Average
2.39a
2.36a
2.33a
2.32a
2.28a
Note: Data in the same column and row followed by the common letters are not significantly different at the 5% levels
according to the LSD test
Table 6: Effect of KCl and NaCl to the Mg level (%).
KCl treatment
(mg/polybag)
NaCl (mg/polybag)
Average
0
(Na
0
)
118
(Na
1
)
235
(Na
2
)
350
(Na
3
)
470
(Na
4
)
0 (K
0
)
150 (K
1
)
300 (K
2
)
450 (K
3
)
600 (K
4
)
0.28
0.27
0.28
0.32
0.32
0.27
0.29
0.28
0.32
0.30
0.29
0.32
0.30
0.30
0.34
0.30
0.29
0.32
0.31
0.31
0.26
0.29
0.30
0.30
0.33
0.28
0.29
0.30
0.31
0.32
Average
0.30
0.29
0.31
0.31
0.31
Note: Data in the same column and row followed by the common letters are not significantly different at the 5% levels
according to the LSD test
Application of KCl fertilizer up to 600
mg/polybag and NaCl at 470 mg/polybag showed no
significant effect on Mg nutrient content of upland
rice, as well as combination did not show significant
effect on Mg. This indicates that application of NaCl
up to 470 mg/polybag did not significantly decrease
Mg nutrient content.
ICMR 2018 - International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research
146
Table 7: Effect of KCl and NaCl to the Na level (%).
KCl
treatment
(mg/polybag)
NaCl (mg/polybag)
Average
0
(Na
0
)
118
(Na
1
)
235
(Na
2
)
350
(Na
3
)
470
(Na
4
)
0 (K
0
)
150(K
1
)
300(K
2
)
450(K
3
)
600(K
4
)
76.00ab
69.00ab
68.67ab
63.67ab
56.67 a
301.00abcdef
172.67abcde
99.33abc
83.33abc
75.67ab
378.00def
307.00bcdef
152.33abcd
110.33abcd
103.67abc
427.00ef
344.00cdef
173.67abcde
130.67abcd
123.67abcd
536.67f
531.33f
472.33f
464.00f
418.00ef
343.7b
284.8b
193.2a
172.2a
155.5a
Average
66.80a
146.40ab
212.13bc
239.80cd
484.47d
Note: Data in the same column and row followed by the common letters are not significantly different at the 5% levels
according to the LSD test
Application of KCl significantly decreases the
nutrient content of Na of upland rice while NaCl
significantly increased the nutrient content of Na.
The combination of both factors has significantly
affected on the nutrient content of Na.
Na leaf content increased with increasing NaCl
applied that is from 66.80 ppm increased to 484.47
ppm by NaCl application. This is a logical
consequence because NaCl application will increase
Na-exchangeableto be absorbed by the plant. Anwar
(2008) suggests thatKCl substitution by NaCl can
increase Na content of feed grass. Conversely, the
increased dose of KCl applied will decrease Na
nutrient content of upland rice because Na ion is the
most easily expelled actions from snoring complex.
4 DISCUSSION
Analysis of variance showed that treatment of NaCl
salt at some level of dose did not affect plant height
and number of tillers from 4 weeks after plant until
harvest time as well as number of productive tillers.
This indicated that treatment until dose of 470
mg/polybag did not prevent or inhibit plant
metabolic process so there was no growth difference
between any NaCl (control) application and dose of
470 mg /polybag.
In some literature, it is stated that the growth of
plants in salty environment is directly related to
plant resistance to osmotic pressure and poisoning of
specific ions such as Na+ and Cl-. Plants that grow
in high salt content areas will absorb many ions
Na+, Cl- and SO42-. The ions move toward the roots
zone through mass flow. Before reaching the critical
threshold, ions accumulation is still tolerated by
plants so that no toxic effect occurs. This is
confirmed by Sabban (2012) which shows no
significant decline in tomato growth. Anwar (2008)
also reports that NaCl does not reduce significantly
the growth of feed grass plants
According to Anwar (2008), the presence of low
salt concentration (light salinity) in the early stadia
within a certain time can increase the tolerance of
plants to heavier salinity stress at the next growth
stage.
According to Hawker, et al (1974 in Anwar,
2008), the addition of Na in small amounts will
increase vegetative and reproductive growth. Lauci
and Epstein (1984 in Baon, et al., 2003) states that
the continuous addition of Na will result in Na
dominating the soil trap. While other captions are
still present in the soil solution, plant growth will get
better but when the soil solution has been dominated
by Na, the growth will be disrupted.
Generally it can be concluded that substitution of
K by Na up to 470 mg/polybag does not suppress
any plant growth, but NaCl application can
substitute K fertilizer.
KCl substitution will increase plant growth
although not statistically different; this is because K
requirement is quite high and when K deficiency
makes K translocation from the old to young part.
Leiwakabessy (1985 in Anwar, 2008) states the
process of photosynthesis can be reduced when the
K content is low and at that time of respiration
increases. This will reduce the supply of
carbohydrates that will certainly reduce plant
growth.
The research shows that substitution of KCl
fertilizer by NaCl does not disturb nutrients uptake
of upland rice. This can be seen from leaf nutrient
content as a parameter of nutrient status in plants,
where NaClapplication actually increases some
nutrients such as N, P and Na. Thus the use of NaCl
is very beneficial because the upland rice will be
more efficient to use fertilizer provided. Similar
results were also reported by Berntein and Hayward
(1958 in Sabban, 2012) that the administration of
NaCl has a role in the growth of the plant if it breaks
Effect of NaCl and KCl to the Growth and Nutrient Level of Upland Rice in an Ultisol
147
down it will produce Na
+
and Cl, so that it can
maintain the water content in the leaves.
In contrast, the Na leaf content increases with the
addition of NaCl. This is a logical consequence
because NaCl will increase Na-exchangeable in the
soil and will be much absorbed by the plant. In the
state of Na that is highly available then K leaf
content will becomes low because the function of K
to maintain osmotic potential in the leaf vacuole has
been replaced by Na. Pitman (1975 in Sabban, 2012)
states that Na can replace K on plant leaves but with
the process of transport plants that are selective of
captions so that K is taken.
Increased nutrients of N, P and K of upland rice
due to KCl application is because plants with
sufficient K only loses a little water whereas K
increases osmotic potential and has a positive effect
on stomata closure. Potassium can also function to
balance anions and affect the extraction and
transport of the anion (Gardner, et al., 2008). In
contrast, K deficient plant is unable to close the
stomata during hot days so that the water
transpiration increases.
5 CONCLUSION
NaCl salt significantly increases the N, P and Na
nutrients, but has no significant effect on plant
growth, K and Mg nutrients.
KCl fertilizers significantly increase the nutrient
content of N, P, K of the plant 8but Na content
decreases, and has no significant effect on growth
and nutrient content of Mg.
Application of NaCl up to 470 mg/polybag did
not show a negative effect7u on the plant.
Substitution of KCl 100% by NaCldoes not suppress
the growth and nutrient content of plants does not
showsignificant differencein the use of KCl 100%.
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