Blog
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Everything In Moderation When Applying Potash
A recent article1 in Progressive Farmer over viewed research showing yield reductions attributed to potash (0-0-60, KCl or MOP) applications in corn (North Dakota) and soybean (Minnesota and Indiana). Although the mechanism(s) of “toxicity” were not known the yield reductions were large enough and frequent enough to be considered real. In the corn studies conducted by Dave Franzen at North Dakota State University the potash was applied in spring and detrimental rates were greater than 200 pounds per acre (120 lb K2O/acre). My (Casteel) soybean research in Indiana examined potash applied at or shortly after planting as a means of intensifying management. Rather, I observed 3 to 5 bu/ac yield reductions at this timing. Detrimental potash rates were 200 pounds per acre in some trials on prairie soils near West Lafayette and loam to coarse-textured soils near Wanatah in 2016 and 2017. I still observed yield reduction at a lower rate of 100 pounds per acre (60 lb K2O/acre) in 2019, but not in 2020 near LaCrosse. Dan Kaiser at the University of Minnesota also saw yield reductions from potash applications ahead of soybean (spring and even some fall timings), and suggested chloride might be the culprit. Even though these observations of yield reductions cannot be fully explained at this time, these reports have caused some farmers to evaluate their timing and rate of potash application.Per saperne di più -
Considering the Effects of Potassium on Manganese and Soil Fertility
Some soils do not even build well using manganese sulfate. In a very few cases it has been necessary to apply the needed amount for two or three years in a row to reach the desired minimum level. In such cases, the use of ammonium sulfate as a nitrogen source may help, but generally the amounts used do not show much progress in building up soils deficient in manganese. A crop which can also help to increase manganese availability in the soil is rice.Just keep in mind that the primary elements, N-P-K, truly are primary in terms of getting enough nutrients there to grow the crop. But when any one of these three are over-applied, providing more than the soil can tolerate, those same elements can cause a whole new set of problems, not just for potatoes, but for all types of crops and growing plants.Per saperne di più -
Potassium
Potassium is essential in nearly all processes needed to sustain plant growth and reproduction. Plants deficient in potassium are less resistant to drought, excess water, and high and low temperatures. They are also less resistant to pests, diseases and nematode attacks. Because potassium improves the overall health of growing plants and helps them fight against disease, it is known as the “quality” nutrient. Potassium affects quality factors such as size, shape, color and vigor of the seed or grain, and improves the fiber quality of cotton.Per saperne di più -
Potassium depletion in soil threatens global crop yields
Potassium deficiency in agricultural soils is a largely unrecognised but potentially significant threat to global food security if not addressed, say researchers.The lack of this key nutrient can inhibit plant growth and reduce crop yields. Farmers often spread potassium-rich fertilisers over their fields to replenish the depleted nutrient, but supply issues can inhibit its use and there are also questions about the environmental impact. The new study, published in Nature Food, finds that in many regions of the world, more potassium is being removed from agricultural soils through leaching or when crops are harvested. The authors from the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), the University of Edinburgh, University College London and the Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research in Spain make a series of recommendations to tackle the issue.Per saperne di più -
What is Potash? – The Whole Story
The UN says that in 2021, there will be around 690 million hungry people on the planet which accounts for 9 percent of the world’s population. Global food security is especially of concern looking forward as the world population is expected to increase by about 35 percent over the next 40 years.Agricultural output will need to significantly increase to feed the growing population. As available land for expanding agriculture is scarce, increased food production will come only from increasing productivity per hectare, which will require optimum and balanced fertilizer use.Boosting crop yields can be achieved by the implementation of balanced fertilization practices, which will also ensure the preservation of soil fertility and the sustainability of the farm systems.Per saperne di più -
The Importance of Potassium Fertilizer
Potassium (K) is one of the 17 essential nutrients required by plants for growth and reproduction. Like nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), potassium is classified as a macronutrient. The term “potash” refers to a group of potassium bearing minerals and salts. There are multiple potassium fertilizer sources, expressed in units of K₂O on fertilizer labels, such as muriate of potash (KCl), sulfate of potash (K₂SO₄), double sulfate of potash and magnesium (K₂SO₄ 2MgSO₄), and nitrate of potash (KNO₃).Per saperne di più -
What is Potash?
Fertilizer potassium is sometimes called “potash,” a term that comes from an early production technique where potassium was leached from wood ashes and concentrated by evaporating the leachate in large iron pots (“pot-ash”). This practice is no longer practical and is not environmentally sustainable. In food production, potassium is removed from the soil in harvested crops and must be replaced in order to maintain future crop growth.Over 350 million years ago, the huge Devonian Sea was slowly drying up in the area of Central Canada and northern U.S., leaving behind concentrated salts and minerals. This process continues today in places such as the Great Salt Lake and the Dead Sea. These ancient marine salts are now recovered and used in a variety of useful ways, with the majority being used as potassium fertilizer.Per saperne di più -
Potash Fertilizer: Is There a Problem?
In a publication brought to the public’s attention by news release from the University of Illinois several weeks ago, S.A. Khan, Richard Mulvaney and a colleague in the Department of Natural Resource and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois challenged a number of basic tenets of soil fertility, especially practices related to use of potassium (K) fertilizer. Citing hundreds of references and thousands of reported studies, they asserted that: K fertilizer is generally unnecessary in soils like most of those in Illinois; the soil test is not a reliable way to know how much K the soil will supply to a crop; K used as fertilizer can cause crops to have lower nutritional value; using K fertilizer can damage soil structure; and potassium chloride (KCl), which is the most commonly-used (and lowest-cost) K fertilizer material, is harmful to crops.Per saperne di più -
Potassium Fertilization in Crop Production
Potassium (K) is one of 17 nutrients that are essential for plant growth. Like nitrogen (N) and phosphorus, it is a macronutrient because plants require large amounts of K. Depending on the crop, the K requirement can be nearly as high as the N requirement. The following table shows the amount of K used by selected crops. Unlike most nutrients, most K is retained in the straw, or stems of crops. This means that relatively little K is removed each year with seed harvest, but large amounts of K are removed with the harvest of straw, and forage or green feed crops.Per saperne di più
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