Fig. 1.

Root system architecture of maize cultivar grown under sufficient K (SK) and low K (LK) conditions. Plants were grown in a hydroponic pouch system and harvested at 14 days after transplanting. a Representative root images of CD30 under SK and LK conditions, b Shoot dry weight, c total root length, d root surface area, e primary root length, f root width, g average root diameter, h convex area, i maximum root number, and j root volume under SK and LK conditions. Mean values ± SE, n = 6. Asterisks indicate the significance of differences between treatments, as determined by Student’s t test: *Significant at P < 0.05; **Significant at P < 0.01; ***Significant at P < 0.001