Yield response of soybeans to P and K fertilization as correlated with soil extractable and tissue nutritional levels

Abstract

Bragg soybeans [Glycine max. (L. ) Merill] were grown under field conditions near Sanford, Florida on a tile‐drained Immokalee fine sand (sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic Arenic Haplaquod). The objectives were: 1) to assess the K and P fertilizer requirements of soybeans grown in central Florida 2) to correlate soil and tissue nutritional levels with extractable soil nutrients and 3) to assess the influence of K application time on yield.

Experimental treatments were four K rates (0, 50, 100, and 200 kg K/ha), three P rates (0, 25, and 50 kg P/ha), and two sidedress K rates (0 and 50 kg K/ha) at early bloom. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design and replicated four times.

Yield increased with each increase in applied K. Statistical maximum yield was obtained on plots which contained 103 ppm double‐acid extractable K during the pod‐filling stage of growth. Tissue K at early bloom exceeded 2.85% at maximum statistical yield. Potassium applied broadcast at early bloom did not significantly influence yield.

This soil contained approximately 390 ppm double‐acid extractable P prior to P application. No significant yield response to applied P was observed, indicating that the original extractable P content of the soil was adequate for the yield level obtained.

The quadratic regression of the ratio equivalents of double‐acid extractable K:Ca + Mg on the same ratio for the plant tissue is highly significant. This expression was a good predictor of tissue accumulation of these nutrients in that the coefficient for determination was 0.68.