EFFECT OF KCL ON CHLOROPHYLL, TOTAL SUGARS, SOLUBLE-PROTEIN, AND IN-VIVO NITRATE REDUCTASE-ACTIVITY IN LEAVES OF QUERCUS-SERRATA AND CORRELATION STUDIES

Foliar treatment with different concentrations of potassium chloride ( KCl) to Quercus serrata seedlings resulted in higher levels of total c hlorophyll, total sugars, soluble protein, and in vivo nitrate reducta se activity in the leaves. Optimal concentration was found to be 5.0 m M KCl. The results with foliar applications were further verified with excised shoots dipped in KCl and with leaves treated directly with KC l. Regression and correlation coefficients were analyzed, and a strong positive correlation was found between chlorophyll and total sugars, and between soluble protein and in vivo nitrate reductase activity.