Nutrient Management Research Database
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Design and Methods
This study monitored the behavior of potassium (K) in the soil and its availability to potassium trees in two commercial orchards.
Initial exchangeable K levels at the 0-6 inch depth were 156 ppm and 97 ppm for the two fields. Exchangeable K is used as a measure of crop K availability.
Orchards were planted at 247 trees/acre.
Potassium (as potassium sulfate) was applied monthly at rates of 0, 1.1, 2.2 and 3.3 lbs K/tree/year through a sprinkler fertigation system.
Soil samples were taken at every 6 inches from 0-30 inch depths.
Crop K accumulation was estimated as the amount of K accumulated in fruits and leaves.
Results
Potassium fertilization increased exchangeable K. Potassium sulfate applied at the rate of 2.2 lbs/tree/ac more than tripled exchangeable K at a depth of 12 inches. When K was not added, trees continued to deplete soil K.
Soil K decreased with depth. Increased K additions resulted in K accumulating deeper within the soil. This reflects the ability of soil to slow hte downward movement of K.
The orchard with silt loam soil resisted changes in exchangeable soil K levels with fertilization, a property referred to as potential buffering capacity for soil K.
Trees in the plots amended with K were able to accumulate more K, which increases yields.
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