Single vs. double cropping under two levels of fertilization with and without irrigation

Abstract

A corn‐small grain cropping sequence resulted in a greater total grain yield than corn or small grain alone or grain sorghum double cropped with small grain. Drought restricted yield responses to N, P and K in non‐irrigated plots but under irrigation grain yield for each cropping sequence was directly related to fertilizer applied. All fertilizer treatments increased soil acidity. Phosphorus and K applied at 26 and 50 kg/ha, respectively for each crop in the sequence maintained P and K levels in the soil. After three years, the high rate of fertilizer (87 and 166 kg/ha of P and K, respectively) resulted in greater soil P and K values than the low rate of fertilizer.     

Influence of lime and phosphorus on soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) yield,leaf and seed composition on a paleudult soil

Abstract

This research was undertaken on a paleudult soil in southern Brazil, 30° south latitude, to quantify lime and P effect upon soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill). A lime x P factorial experience with lime treatments of 0, 0.5, 1, and 2 times SMP interpretation to pH 6.5, and 0, 44, 88, 132, and 176 kg P/ha with 3 replications were installed. The experiment was conducted for 2 years (1973–74, 1974–75), with leaf‐N, P, and K; yield; seed‐N, P, and K; Bray P₂ (0.03N NH₄F + 0.1N HC1) avail‐able‐P and soil pH measurements completed each year. Data was evaluated with linear, quadratic, logarithmic, polynomial, segmented line, and multiple regression using the coefficient of determination as goodness of fit.

The best model fit between P treatment and Bray P₂ available‐P was a quadratic equation; the model between relative yield and Bray P_2‐P with 54% of the relative yield attributed to Bray P₂ available‐P, a sigmented line. This model indicated point of maximum yield (91% relative yield) was obtained at 7.4 ppm‐P, with no increase in relative yield with increasing levels of soil available‐P. To calculate the P fertilizer necessary to increase available soil‐P to the level of maximum yield of equation Y_p = [1639(7.4 ‐ x_s)]^1/2, where Y_p = kg P/ha fertilizer needed; and x_s = initial Bray P₂ soil available‐P in ppm's. The lime effect upon soil pH was best described as a linear relationship. Yield increase with lime at this site was not significant at the 5% level.

The leaf‐N, P, and K increased significantly with soil available‐P levels. A second degree polynomial with logarithmic function best defined these relationships. The calculated DRIS indices and sum proved useful to evaluate the plant‐N, P, and K balance of each treatment.

Only seed‐P level was directly related to soil available‐P. Both seed‐N and seed‐K were highly correlated with indirect effects of soil available‐P levels.

Results from this study suggest the segmented line model would best interpret soybean yield response to Bray P₂ available‐P for this soil. To obtain maximum yield using this model rather than the second degree polynomial would require less fertilizer P. Foliar analyses interpretation confirmed adequate plant‐P level would be supplied for maximum yield at this level of fertilization.     

Soil tests for predicting plant available phosphorus in newly reclaimed alkaline minespoil

Abstract

Four selected soil tests (Olson's bicarbonate, Bray P‐l, Bray P‐2, and a modified Bray P‐l test) were compared over a four year period as methods for predicting plant available‐P in a slightly alkaline (pH 7.25) minespoil from a west‐central coal field in Illinois. Phosphorus recovery by hybrid corn, measured under both greenhouse and field conditions, showed that the minespoil was extremely P deficient. Extractable Olson's bicarbonate P and standard Bray P‐l phosphorus were highly correlated with total‐P recovery by corn, with respective coefficients of r =0.973 and r =0.957 in the greenhouse; and r =0.998 and r =0.983 respectively, under field conditions. Consistent Mitscherlich‐Bray proportionality constants were calculated from corn grain yields under field conditions in three of four years, after adjustments for annual differences in plant population density. Minespoil was found to require about twice as much extractable‐P (about 40 mg/kg Olson‐bicarbonate or Bray P‐l) as topsoil to support maxiumum corn productivity. It was estimated that more than 500 kg/ha fertilizer‐P will be required to achieve maximum corn grain production in spoil.     

Response of cauliflower to phosphate fertilizer placement and soil test phosphorus calibration on a Karrakatta sand

Abstract

The effect of placement (broadcast versus banded) and level of phosphorus (P) applied as superphosphate at 0 to 450 kg P/ha was measured using the yields of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var botrytis) on newly cleared Karrakatta sands of low natural P fertility. While there was a significant (P<0.01) yield response to level of P, there was no significant response to fertilizer placement. Phosphorus recovery efficiency by curds (P uptake curds/P applied both in kg/ha) decreased from 0.35 at 20 to 0.09 at 320 kg applied P/ha. Phosphorus recovery efficiency by whole plants decreased from 0.58 at 20 kg P/ha to 0.18 at the highest level. Bicarbonate‐soluble P extracted from the top 15 cm of soil was determined on residual P sites from experiments over two years where P was applied from 0 to 450 kg P/ha. These soil test values were related to yield. The critical soil test values required for 95 and 99% of maximum yield were 40 and 55 (μg/g, respectively. The level of freshly‐applied P required for either 95 or 99% of maximum yield varied from 108 to 175 kg P/ha, respectively at <5 μg/g soil test P to 0 at the critical values. Phosphorus in the youngest expanded leaf at buttoning required for 95 and 99% of maximum yield was 0.46±0.02 and 0.47±0.02%, respectively.     

长期肥料定位试验栗钙土中磷肥在莜麦上的产量效应及行为研究

研究了高寒半干旱区8年肥料定位试验中,磷肥和有机肥在莜麦上的产量效应、土壤磷素的平衡、土壤Olsen-P及各形态无机磷的变化。结果表明,单施磷肥(N0P1)莜麦增产30.8%、单施氮肥(N1P0)增产109.4%、氮肥和磷肥配合(N1P1)施用莜麦增产314.0%;NP间表现出显著正交互作用,NP(N1和P1)交互作用增产86.9%;施用22.5和45.0.t/hm2有机肥分别比N0P0处理增产115.1%和220.1%;施用有机肥基础上增施磷肥无明显增产效应。不同施肥处理土壤Olsen-P和各形态无机磷的增减取决于土壤磷素的积累与消耗量,7年不施磷肥土壤Olsen-P降低3.3mg/kg。施用磷肥和有机肥土壤各形态磷库均有不同程度的积累;土壤磷素积累以无机磷为主,其中Ca2-P和Ca8-P的积累量分别占土壤无机磷变化总量的19.3%和25.4%,Al-P和Fe-P分别占23.8%和14.8%,O-P和Ca10-P共占13.0%。依据土壤磷素收支平衡状况计算出维持土壤磷素平衡的P2O5用量为45.0.kg/hm2。根据肥料效应函数计算出有机肥用量为0、22.5.t/hm2时,P2O5的最高产量用量分别为98.4.kg/hm2和87.4.kg/hm2。     

Phosphate sorption isotherms for fertilizer p needs of sweet corn (Zea mays) grown on a high phosphorus fixing soil

Abstract

Phosphorus sorption isotherms were used to estimate phosphorus fertilizer rates on a phosphorus fixing Alfic Fragiorthod soil from north Idaho. Five rates ranging from 0–584 kg/ha corresponded to sorption equilibrium solution levels from 0.06 to 0.20 ppm P. Yield of sweet corn (variety Spancross) grown two successive years was related to the sorption equilibrium solution P level. Whole plant weight, weight of ears, number of ears, and ear size approached maximum when the sorption equilibrium solution P level was near 0.13 ppm. The P content of leaves at early tassel stage increased with increasing sorption equilibrium solution P in a nearly straight line relationship. The leaves contained 0.27% P when the sorption equilibrium solution P was 0.13 ppm, the level producing maximum yield. The 0.20 ppm P resulted in 0.41% P in corn leaves.     

Response of maize to nitrogen,phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers in the savanna zones of Nigeria

Abstract

Field trials were conducted for three years on the response of maize to nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizers on Oyo Soil Series (Arenic Haplustalf) and Iregun series (Aquic Haplustalf) in the derived savanna and southern guinea savanna zones of Nigeria, respectively. Nitrogen fertilizer as granulated urea at rates 0–300 kg N/ha, P fertilizer as single superphosphate at rates 0–120 kg P/h, and K fertilizer as muriate of potash at rates 0–180 kg K/ha were used for the different nutrient combinations. The base rates for N, P, and K were 100 kg N/ha, 40 kg P/ha, and 60 kg K/ha, respectively. The results of the trials showed that annual application of the blanket recommended N, P, and K rates to maize grown under intensive land use system could not produce optimum yield. Fertilizer efficiency varied along with soil test values from year to year. The highest response by maize in these zones was to N, the optimum rate ranged from 50–100 kg N/ha. Application of high rates of P and K fertilizers on soils with fairly sufficient nutrient level showed no significant effect on maize yield. But when P and K were applied at low rates (20 kg P/ha and 30 kg K/ha), their contents in the leaf and maize yield, in most cases, increased significantly. The results, however, showed that N, P, and K recommendations for optimum maize yield in both zones are 50–100 kg N/ha, 20 kg P/ha, and 0–30 kg K/ha, respectively.     

The long‐term soil phosphorus balance across Chinese arable land

Quantifying temporal and spatial variation of soil phosphorus (P) input, output and balance across Chinese arable land is necessary for better P management strategies. Here, we address this challenge using a soil P budget to analyse the soil P balance in arable land across the whole of China, for the period 1980–2012. Results indicated that the total P input to soil increased from 22.5 kg P/ha in 1980 to 79.1 kg P/ha in 2012. However, the total P output from soil only increased from 17.9 kg P/ha in 1980 to 36.9 kg P/ha in 2012. Therefore, the average net soil P surplus in China increased from 4.6 kg P/ha in 1980 to 42.1 kg P/ha in 2012. Our research found great variation in soil P balances across different regions. Soil P balance varied between regions with the order of southeast (SE) > north central (NC) and the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River (MLYR) > southwest (SW) > northwest (NW) > northeast (NE). Phosphorus that has accumulated in agricultural soil across China could theoretically meet crop P demands for approximately 4.8–12.0 yrs, depending on the bioavailability of P stored in soils. Increasing the return rates of manure and straw could substantially reduce the demand for fertilizer‐P. This paper represents a basis for more targeted, regionally informed P fertilizer recommendations in Chinese soils.     

长期不均衡施肥对紫色土肥力质量的影响

利用长期定位试验研究了不均衡施肥对紫色土土壤肥力、肥料利用率和养分平衡状况的影响。结果表明,连续11年不施肥,耕层土壤有机质和全氮含量降低,施用化肥的各个处理土壤有机质和氮素含量稳中有升,其中以NPK均衡施用增幅最大。所有施磷处理,土壤速效磷含量与试验前相比都有大幅度提高;无论施钾与否,土壤缓效钾含量均比试验前降低,稻草还田土壤缓效钾下降最少。不均衡施肥降低了肥料利用率和肥料的增产效果。每季施N.150kg/hm2,维持了土壤氮素肥力;每季施P2O560～75.kg/hm2,磷素都有赢余;除秸秆还田处理钾素有盈余外,其余各处理钾都亏缺。     

Assessing soil P fractions changes with long-term phosphorus fertilization related to crop yield of soybean and maize

Long-term P Fertiliser application increases soil phosphorus (P) labile fractions, which can be associated with crop P uptake and grain yield and are useful to improve fertilizer recommendations. Research aims were to evaluate in long-term experiments with different P Fertiliser application in a Mollisol and a Vertisol: (a) the changes of soil P fractions and (b) the relationship between soil P fractions with long-term P Fertiliser application, with accumulated apparent P budget, grain P, total P uptake, soybean (Glycine max L.Merr.) and maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield. Soil P fractions were measured after 1 and 9 year since the beginning of the long-term experiments. Experiments included an initial Fertiliser application rate of 200 kg P ha⁻¹ and annual P Fertiliser application rate of 36 kg P ha⁻¹. Bray1-P, total, organic, and inorganic P in fine (<53 μm) and coarse (>53 μm) (CF) soil fractions, and in NaHCO₃ extract were measured. Initial P Fertiliser application increased inorganic and total P fractions. However, Bray1-P, total P in NaHCO₃ extract and in the CF were the fractions that most increased with continuous long-term P Fertiliser application in both sites. In the Mollisol, maize grain yield was unrelated to long-term P Fertiliser application. In the Vertisol, total P in NaHCO₃ extract, and total and organic P in the CF were more closely related to soybean grain yield than Bray1-P. We proposed soil P indices of labile inorganic and organic P that showed close relationships with soybean grain yield and may be useful to improve the diagnosis of P soil fertility.     

Changes in uranium and thorium contents in topsoil after long‐term phosphorus fertilizer application

Archived soil samples from the beginning and end of three long‐term field trials conducted in central France were analysed for total uranium (U) and thorium (Th) contents to evaluate the effect of 15–30 yr of phosphorus (P) fertilizer treatments on the accumulation of these elements in the topsoil. For comparison, the soil samples were also analysed for total P. Three treatments were compared: no P application (P₀), 26 kg P/ha/yr (P₂₆) and 52 kg P/ha/yr (P₅₂). Significant effects of P fertilizer were observed on U content and, to a lesser extent, on Th content as a result of the P₅₂ treatment at two of the field trials. This effect was demonstrated both in the analyses at the end of the field trials [P₅₂–P₀: +0.25 and +0.44 mg U/kg soil, +0.58 (not significant) and +1.03 mg Th/kg soil] and when considering the changes in U and Th contents between the beginning and the end of the field trials (end–start: +0.18 and +034 mg U/kg soil, +0.35 and +0.45 mg Th/kg soil). The P fertilizer effect was also supported by the correlations of U and Th with total levels of P in the soil. However, in one of the three trials, no significant accumulation of U or Th because of fertilizer could be seen, suggesting either that less U and Th were applied using a different P fertilizer and/or that soil heterogeneity masked significant effects.     

Variation in content of available P and K (bray I) in soil samples from a cropped N,P, and K fertility experiment over 8 years

Abstract

Plots from a N, P, and K field fertility experiment were soil sampled each spring and fall from 1971 to 1979 to study the effect of cropping and different rates of added P and K on the content of available soil P and K (Bray I). Phosphorus and K fertilization was in the spring after soil sampling and before planting in 1971, 1972,and 1973 and in the fall after sampling in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, and 1978. Over the 8‐year period, available soil P increased 1 kg/ ha for every 2.3 kg/ha of added P; while available soil K increased 1 kg/ha for every 5.7 kg/ha of added K. However, within a growing season and between growing seasons, contents of available soil P and K showed cyclic patterns, increasing and decreasing to a greater extent than the long‐term response. Changes in available P and K from spring to fall and from fall to spring are presented. Variability in the content of available soil P and K for 32 plots receiving a similar treatment of either P or K was greater for P as compared to K.     

Phosphorus Response and Fertilizer Recommendations for Wheat Grown on Nitisols in the Central Ethiopian Highlands

The provision of farmers with proper and balanced fertilizer recommendations is becoming increasingly important, for reasons of crop productivity, food security, and sustainability. Phosphorus (P) response trials with wheat were conducted on Nitisols at 14 sites in the central Ethiopian highlands during the 2010 and 2011 cropping seasons. The treatments, comprising six levels of P fertilizer (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 kg P ha^?1), were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Based on a yield difference between the control and the P treatments, 90% of sites responded to P fertilizer. Application of P fertilizer increased wheat grain yield, up to 30% more than the control. Extractable soil P concentrations (Bray 2, 0–15 cm deep) 3 weeks after planting significantly responded to P fertilizer rate. The critical P concentration (for 90% relative yield) was 13.5 mg kg^?1. Most sites tested had Bray 2 P values <10 mg kg^?1. In the absence of a soil test, a recommendation of 40 kg P ha^?1, resulting in the best response overall, could be made for the first year of application. We also recommend that to prevent a potential loss of wheat yield, a maintenance application of at least 5–12 kg P ha^?1 be applied every year, irrespective of the calculated recommended rate, in order to replace P exported from the field in produce. Further field trials are required to determine interactions between P response and the effects of climate, soil properties, and other management practices.     

Extractable phosphorus and rice yield in an ultisol of the humid forest zone in West Africa

Abstract

Little attention has been devoted to calibrating soil tests for phosphorus (P) in the field for upland rice in West Africa. The information is needed to improve fertilizer P recommendations. A field experiment was conducted in the rainy season of 1994 to establish the relationship between extractable P by Bray 1 and grain yield of four upland rice cultivars grown on an Ultisol in the forest zone of Ivory Coast. The critical limit of Bray 1 P in the soil at 90% relative rice grain yield varied from 12.5 to 15.0 mg P/kg of soil for the four cultivars tested. The P critical limit in the soil tended to be lower for the cultivars of rice earlier found to be efficient at converting applied P into grain yield.     

EDTA extractable phosphorus in soils as related to available and inorganic phosphorus forms

Abstract

Twenty surface soil samples, representing two major soil orders alfisols and vertisols were extracted with 0.01N Na₂ EDTA solution (pH 4.8) at a soil/solution ratio of 1:25. Phosphorus in the extract was determined following ammonium molybdate‐stannous chloride colorimetric method. The EDTA extractable P showed significant positive correlations with extractable P according to the Olsen, Morgan, Bray 1 and 2 and also with inorganic phosphorus fractions associated with Al, Ca and Fe.     

长期不同施肥对红壤性水稻土磷素及水稻磷营养的影响

【目的】合理的土壤磷素管理对作物生产和环境保护具有重要意义。南方双季稻田土壤磷素特征及磷素吸收信息相对缺乏,本文利用江西省稻田土壤质量演变定位监测试验为平台,系统分析长期不同施肥措施下土壤全磷、磷活化系数及水稻磷素吸收量的变化特征和全磷与磷盈亏的响应关系等,为指导磷肥合理施用提供重要科学依据。【方法】从1984年开始在江西省南昌市进行长期定位试验,设置8个处理,分别为不施肥对照(CK),PK、NP、NK、NPK、70%化肥氮+30%有机肥氮(70F+30M)、50%化肥氮+50%有机肥氮(50F+50M)、30%化肥氮+70%有机肥氮(30F+70M)。早稻施用纯N、P2O5和K2O量分别为150、60和150 kg/hm^2,晚稻分别为180、60和150 kg/hm^2。早、晚稻施用的氮、磷、钾化肥均分别为尿素、过磷酸钙和氯化钾,有机肥分别为紫云英(N、P2O5、K2O含量分别为0.30%、0.08%、0.23%)和腐熟猪粪(N、P2O5、K2O含量分别为0.45%、0.19%、0.60%)。除30F+70M处理,其余处理均为等氮磷钾设计。于1984-2012年每年早、晚稻收获期采集秸秆和稻谷计产,并于晚稻收获后,测定土壤全磷和有效磷含量。分析土壤全磷、磷活化系数(PAC)及早、晚稻磷素吸收量随种植年限的变化规律,研究土壤全磷含量与磷累积盈亏的响应关系。【结果】经29年连续试验,NK处理土壤全磷含量以每年4.6 mg/kg的速度下降,而含磷化肥处理土壤全磷含量升高速率为3.3~19.4 mg/(kg·a)。有机无机配施处理(70F+30M、50F+50M和30F+70M)升高速率平均为16.1 mg/(kg·a),是施NPK肥处理的4.89倍。施磷土壤全磷含量平均增至1.07 g/kg (2010-2012平均值),较初始值提高了1.18倍。不施磷肥处理土壤磷活化系数(PCA)由试验初始的4.24%下降至2.5%左右,施磷肥处理则均显著升高,其中有机无机配施处理平均升高至8.51%,平均年升高速率是施NPK处理的2.89倍。早、晚稻磷素吸收量,施磷肥(PK、NP和NPK)和化肥配施有机肥处理(70F+30M、50F+50M和30F+70M)均显著高于CK,提高幅度分别为29.9%~124%和28.6%~103%,均衡施肥(NPK、70F+30M、50F+50M和30F+70M)磷素吸收量显著高于不均衡施肥(PK和NP)处理,前者平均分别较后两者提高了38.7%和32.9%。早、晚稻产量与磷素吸收量呈极显著线性正相关关系,每吸收磷(P) 1 kg,早稻和晚稻产量分别可提高115和106 kg/hm^2。不施肥(CK)条件下,土壤全磷变化与累积磷盈亏间无显著相关关系,施NK肥处理土壤中每亏缺磷100 kg/hm^2,土壤全磷含量降低6.0 mg/kg,施化学磷肥的3个处理,土壤中每盈余磷100 kg/hm^2,平均提高9.3 mg/kg,而3个有机–无机配施处理,土壤中每盈余磷100 kg/hm^2,平均增加63.3 mg/kg,是无机磷肥的6.78倍。【结论】无论是单施化学磷肥,还是有机无机配施均有效提高土壤全磷含量及磷活化系数,且在等磷量投入条件下,有机无机配施较单施化肥的效果更优。建议减少中国南部红壤性稻田土壤的总磷输入量和提高有机肥施用比例,以改善粮食生产和保护环境。     

Effect of extractant and selected soil properties on predicting the optimum phosphorus fertilizer rate for growing soybeans under field conditions

Abstract

Precise P fertilizer recommendations depend on the concentration of P removed by a given soil test extractant and the effect of other soil properties. Soybeans were grown several years on five Oxisols with a number of established soil P levels. A model was developed to maximize net return as a function of the P extracted by three methods and the optimum P fertilizer rate at each site. To account for site effects, other soil properties were then evaluated in individual combinations with extractable P by multiple regression. Mehlich‐3, Bray‐1, and resin extractable P accounted for 67, 57, and 62% of the variation in optimum P fertilizer rate, respectively. When clay content or surface area was included, the percentages increased to 84, 84, and 95%.In general, other soil properties reflecting P sorption, such as P adsorption maximum, P buffering coefficient, and measurements of clay type, were less effective than percentage clay or surface area. Two additional studies were conducted for one season to validate this approach. The results were excellent on one soil, but underestimated the optimum P rate on another. There was a difference in clay type between the two sites, indicating that perhaps the approach developed should be restricted to kaolinitic soils which predominate in the region     

Evaluation of Agronomic and Environmental Soil P Test Methods in a Network of Hungarian Long‐Term Field Trials

Abstract

Winter wheat shoot weight and phosphorus (P) concentrations, corn leaf weight and P concentrations, and soil AL, Olsen, H₂O, Bray 1, Pi (Fe-oxide impregnated paper strip) and AERM (anion exchange resin membrane) contents were determined in a network of uniform Hungarian national long‐term field trials. P application had a significant effect on soil P test values at different P levels and sites. The relationship between the different soil P test methods was studied separately for different soil groups (all, acid, and calcareous soils). Corn leaf weight was influenced by the sites much more than by soil P supply level, whereas corn leaf P percentage was influenced by both sites and P levels. For winter wheat, both sites and soil P levels had a positive effect on wheat shoot weight. Wheat shoot P percentage was influenced by the soil P supply much more than by the sites. Correlation between corn leaf P percentage and the Pi or AERM extractable P and between wheat shoot P percentage and the Pi and AERM P values was logarithmic.     

Phosphorus fertilizer requirements as estimated by phosphate sorption

Abstract

Twenty‐nine soil samples representing 12 soil series and varying levels of P fertility were obtained from cooperating agricultural experiment stations in the southern U.S. Fertilizer P requirements were estimated from P sorption curves and correlated with P requirements established by field experiments. Estimated and measured P requirements were highly correlated (r =0.93**) with the quantitative relationship being nearly 1:1. With one exception, P sorption also accurately estimated needs of fertilized soils; in that one case, fertilizer needs were estimated at 45 kg P/ha although there was no response to P in the field.

The quantity of sorbed P in equilibrium with 0.02 μg P/ml apparently was a good estimate of fertilizer P requirement. The value 0.02 was somewhat lower than has been reported from other research; this lower value may be associated with somewhat lower yields, warm soil temperatures, and relatively long growing season in the southern U.S.A. It also may have been caused by under‐evaluating the effectiveness of residual fertilizer P or by a more stable P concentration in soil solution for soils receiving long‐term applications of fertilizer P.     

Potato response to varying levels of soil test P and K

Abstract

Irrigated potatoes were grown on a sandy soil which ranged in available P and K from 53 to 308 and 45 to 319 kg/ha, respectively. The levels of soil P and K as measured by soil test (Bray #1) were compared with yield, specific gravity of the tubers, and P and K tissue concentrations. The response of the potato crop was correlated to soil K but not to soil P. Yields increased with increasing soil K from 45 to 196 kg/ha in the surface sample and leveled off there after. The fact that the levels of subsoil K increased with increasing surface soil K may have had somewhat of an effect on the leveling off of potato yields at 196 kg/ha of K. The lack of a yield response to soil P was associated with adequate available soil P at the lowest soil test levels.