Variability in Soil Test Potassium and Crop Yield

Project Leader:
Antonio Mallarino,
Details +

Department of Agronomy,
Iowa State University,
3216 Agronomy Hall,
Ames,
IA,
50011-0001

(515-294-6200, fax: 515-294-2458)
apmallar@iastate.edu

Staff Member: Dr. Scott Murrell

IA-09F


















Interpretive Summaries:


2010 - Variability in Soil Test Potassium and Crop Yield in Iowa
2009 - Variability in Soil Test Potassium and Crop Yield in Iowa
2008 - Variability in Soil Test Potassium and Crop Yield in Iowa
2007 - Variability in Soil Test Potassium and Crop Yield in Iowa
2006 - Variability in Soil Test Potassium and Crop Yield in Iowa
2005 - Variability in Soil Test Potassium and Crop Yield in Iowa
2004 - Variability in Soil Test Potassium and Crop Yield in Iowa
2003 - Variability in Soil Test Potassium and Crop Yield in Iowa
2002 - Variability in Soil Test Potassium and Crop Yield in Iowa
2001 - Variability in Soil Test Potassium and Crop Yield in Iowa
2000 - Variability in Soil Test Potassium and Crop Yield in Iowa
1999 - Variability in Soil Test Potassium and Crop Yield in Iowa


Variability in Soil Test Potassium and Crop Yield, 2006

How great is the variability in potassium (K) soil test levels across fields and years? How does this variability impact crop responses to applied K? How well do currently-used soil test K methods predict the likelihood that crops will respond to K additions? These questions are being actively researched in Iowa, both at research stations and in farmer fields.

In 2006, eight long-term K trials revealed large yield reductions when no K was applied to soils testing less than 150 ppm; however, in central and northern Iowa on poorly drained soils, yield reductions without K were observed when soil test levels were less than 170 to 180 ppm.

A question that has sometimes been asked about corn response to K in these studies is how much of the response is to K and how much is to chloride (Cl)? In 2006, potassium chloride (KCl) and calcium chloride were compared as nutrient sources. In the long-term trials, it was found that most of the response to potassium chloride is from K; however, results also indicated a 5 to 8 bu/A response to just Cl, meaning that on soils where no KCl has been applied for a long time, Cl may be limiting and applications needed. IA-09F








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