The effects of potassium carriers and levels of potassium and nitrogen fertilization on the yield and quality of sugar beets

Gascho, G. J.; Davis, James F.; Fogg, Ralph; Frakes, M. G.

doi:10.5274/jsbr.15.4.298

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 2 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…These consequences are to be expected considering the ample evidence in Table S4 (for the online version of the paper) that KCl inputs are often ineffective for increasing yield, but will be more serious when yield is depressed. The latter effect has indeed been observed, and was significant in field studies with corn 38,144,148,192 , soybean 120,125,131,175 , wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) 186 , sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) 139 , sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) 127 , alfalfa 145 , peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) 109,191 , rape (Brassica napus L.) 176 and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) 166 . In several of these studies, the loss of yield was intensified by increasing the rate of KCl application 38,109,120,125,175,192 , and in some cases the higher rate transformed significant yield gain to loss 127,186 .…”

Section: Fertilizer Value Of Potassium Chloridementioning

confidence: 94%

The potassium paradox: Implications for soil fertility, crop production and human health

Khan

Mulvaney

Ellsworth

2013

Renew. Agric. Food Syst.

100

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Intensive fertilizer usage of KCl has been inculcated as a prerequisite for maximizing crop yield and quality, and relies on a soil test for exchangeable K in the plow layer to ensure that soil productivity will not be limited by nutrient depletion. The interpretive value of this soil test was rigorously evaluated by: (1) field sampling to quantify biweekly changes and seasonal trends, (2) characterizing the variability induced by air drying and the dynamic nature of soil K reserves and (3) calculating the K balance in numerous cropping experiments. These evaluations leave no alternative but to question the practical utility of soil K testing because test values cannot account for the highly dynamic interchange between exchangeable and non-exchangeable K, exhibit serious temporal instability with or without air drying and do not differentiate soil K buildup from depletion. The need for routine K fertilization should also be questioned, considering the magnitude and inorganic occurrence of profile reserves, the recycling of K in crop residues and the preferential nature of K uptake. An extensive survey of more than 2100 yield response trials confirmed that KCl fertilization is unlikely to increase crop yield. Contrary to the inculcated perception of KCl as a qualitative commodity, more than 1400 field trials predominately documented a detrimental effect of this fertilizer on the quality of major food, feed and fiber crops, with serious implications for soil productivity and human health.

show abstract