Potassium Needs More Attention In Crop Nutrition

It’s well understood that plants require the right combination of the 14 essential mineral nutrients to sustain their growth, writes Rob Mikkelsen, Director, North American Program, International Plant Nutrition Institute. However, it frequently seems like just a few of the nutrients get most of the attention due to their cost or their environmental impacts. Potassium (K) is too often overlooked as a key component in every successful farming operation. The “Frontiers of Potassium Science” conference looks at all aspects of K behavior in soils and plants, and how to improve potash fertilizer management

It is well known that when the soil K supply is limited, plants have reduced yields, poor quality, utilize water less efficiently, and are more susceptible to pest and disease damage. However, accurately predicting which soils require additional K and how crops will respond to added fertilizer is not simple. Through the framework of 4R Nutrient Stewardship (Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time, and Right Rate), the conference explores the science needed to improve K management.

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Right Source of Potassium

Although all potash fertilizers provide the same K nutrition to crops, they can significantly differ in the elements that accompany the K. In certain circumstances, it may be best to add or avoid applications of chloride, sulfate, nitrate, or magnesium in the fertilizer. Other non-agronomic factors, such as economics and field logistics also need to be considered.

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Right Rate of Potassium

Recommendations for K fertilizer are commonly made based on the results of soil testing. However, traditional soil testing does not always accurately predict the need for additional K, or it may recommend K fertilizer where no crop response occurs. There is a need for improved predictions on how much fertilizer K is required to support crop growth.

Right Place for Potassium

Matching the placement of K in the soil with crop rooting patterns is essential for good plant nutrition. Popular conservation tillage practices keep more crop residues and K fertilizer near the soil surface. During periods of drought, plant roots may not be able to access nutrients near the surface and deep placement of K may offer advantages.

Right Time for Potassium

A major objective of 4R Nutrient Stewardship is to get as much of the applied K into the plant as possible. Accomplishing this includes knowing how the crop demand for K changes through the growing season. Uptake of K occurs when healthy roots are actively growing in soils that are not cold, acidic, compacted, or waterlogged.

Read the full story on IPNI.net.

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