Potassium Application Reduces Calcium and Magnesium Levels in Bermudagrass Leaf Tissue and Soil

Abstract

<jats:p>High rates of potassium (K) are often applied in an attempt to increase stress tolerance of hybrid bermudagrass [<jats:italic>Cynodon dactylon</jats:italic> (L.) Pers. × <jats:italic>C. transvaalensis</jats:italic> Burtt Davy] turfs. Two field-grown bermudagrass cultivars, `Tifdwarf' and `Tifway', were used to determine the influence of applied K on plant nutrient content and nutrient retention in two soils. Six rates of K ranging from 0 to 390 kg·ha<jats:sup>-1</jats:sup> were applied twice per month each growing season from 1992 to 1994. The cultivars were established on both a sand-peat (9:1 by volume) and loamy sand. Potassium chloride and K<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>SO<jats:sub>4</jats:sub> were compared as sources of K, and were applied simultaneously with N applications. Extractable soil K and leaf tissue K concentrations increased with increasing K rates. There was a critical K fertilization level (74 to 84 kg·ha<jats:sup>-1</jats:sup>) for each cultivar and medium combination beyond which no increase in tissue concentration was observed. Increasing K fertilization resulted in a decrease in extractable Ca and Mg in both media with corresponding decreases in tissue Ca and Mg concentrations. High K rates appear to increase the potential for Ca and Mg deficiencies in bermudagrass, indicating that rates higher than those that provide sufficient K levels for normal growth should not be used.</jats:p>

Long‐term Effects of Nitrogen and Potassium Fertilization on Perennial Ryegrass Turf

“…The concomitant linear increase in yield with N and in tissue K of shoots to 43 g kg −1 has been reported in perennial ryegrass (Smith et al, 1985). In bermudagrass, however, Miller (1999) reported soil K response to K fertilization was linear, whereas tissue K was not.…”

“…Further, the higher rates of fertilizer N would be expected to increase NO 3 leaching loss and the coinciding loss of K (Ca, Mg) to balance soil solution ionic charge (Brye and Norman, 2004). In bermudagrass, however, Miller (1999) reported soil K response to K fertilization was linear, whereas tissue K was not. In our study with perennial ryegrass, tissue K and soil K increased with K rate (49-441 kg K ha −1 yr −1 , Table 3).…”

“…2005), cultivar (Mehall et al, 1983;Miller, 1999), age of tissue (Wilman et al, 1994), soil texture (Miller, 1999;Dest and Guillard, 2001), N fertilization rate (Monroe et al, 1969;Reynolds and Wall, 1982;Snyder and Cisar, 2000;Johnson et al, 2003;Petrovic et al, 2005;Webster and Ebdon, 2005;Hoffman et al, 2010), mowing strategies (Sartain, 1993), and time of season (Robinson et al, 1961;Woodhouse, 1968;Davis, 1969;Hojjati et al, 1977;Waddington et al, 1978;Fitzpatrick and Guillard, 2004). Perennial grasses can be luxury consumers of K (Robinson et al, 1961;Woodhouse, 1968;Monroe et al, 1969;Mehall et al, 1983;Webster and Ebdon, 2005;Hoffman et al, 2010).…”

Arabidopsis transcriptional response to extracellular Ca2+ depletion involves a transient rise in cytosolic Ca2+

“…Meanwhile, we can speculate that the long‐term stimulation of these abiotic and biotic stresses could cause a decrease in [Ca 2+ ] cyt , similar to the long‐term effect of [Ca 2+ ] ext depletion. Consistent with this, indirect evidence suggests that a high rate of potassium fertilizer application promotes the loss of Ca 2+ content in Bermuda grass leaves (Miller ).…”

“…Acidic deposition preferentially displaces plasma membrane‐associated Ca 2+ in the mesophyll cells of various tree species (Schaberg et al ). Ca 2+ uptake by plant roots can be inhibited by an increase in Al 3+ mobilization that can result from acid deposition in the soil (Borer et al ), salinity (Lazof and Bernstein ), and nitrogen (Schaberg et al ) or potassium oversupply (Miller ). In addition, it has been suggested that the enrichment of atmospheric CO 2 facilitates soil acidification and Ca 2+ release, causing Ca 2+ loss over the long term (Cheng et al ).…”