Effect of long‐term fertilization and manuring on potassium release properties in a Typic Ustochrept

A long‐term fertilizer experiment, over 27 years, studied the effect of mineral fertilizers and organic manures on potassium (K) balances and K release properties in maize‐wheat‐cowpea (fodder) cropping system on a Typic Ustochrept. The treatments consisted of control, 100% nitrogen (100% N), 100% nitrogen and phosphorus (100% NP), 50% nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (50% NPK), 100% nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (100% NPK), 150% nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (150% NPK), and 100% NPK+farmyard manure (100% NPK+FYM). Nutrients N, P, and K in 100% NPK treatment were applied at N: 120 kg ha^—1, P: 26 kg ha^—1, and K: 33 kg ha^—1 each to maize and wheat crops and N: 20 kg ha^—1, P: 17 kg ha^—1, and K: 17 kg ha^—1 to cowpea (fodder). In all the fertilizer and manure treatments removal of K in the crop exceeded K additions and the total soil K balance was negative. The neutral 1 N ammonium acetate‐extractable K in the surface soil (0—15 cm) ranged from 0.19 to 0.39 cmol kg^—1 in various treatments after 27 crop cycles. The highest and lowest values were obtained in 100% NPK+FYM and 100% NP treatments, respectively. Non‐exchangeable K was also depleted more in the treatments without K fertilization (control, 100% N, and 100% NP). Parabolic diffusion equation could describe the reaction rates in CaCl₂ solutions. Release rate constants (b) of non‐exchangeable K for different depth of soil profile showed the variations among the treatments indicating that long‐term cropping with different rates of fertilizers and manures influenced the rate of K release from non‐exchangeable fraction of soil. The b values were lowest in 100% NP and highest in 100% NPK+FYM treatment in the surface soil. In the sub‐surface soil layers (15—30 and 30—45 cm) also the higher release rates were obtained in the treatments supplied with K than without K fertilization indicating that the sub‐soils were also stressed for K in these treatments.     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics of Some Benchmark Soil Series under Rice–Wheat Cropping System in the Indo‐Gangetic Plains of Northwestern India

Abstract

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important issues in long‐term sustainability of a cropping system. Fixation and release behavior of potassium were studied in the surface and subsurface horizons in five benchmark soil series, viz. Dhar, Gurdaspur, Naura, Ladowal, and Nabha, under rice–wheat cropping system in the Indo‐Gangetic plains of India. Potassium fixation was noted by adding six rates of K varying from 0 to 500 mg kg^?1 soil in plastic beakers while K release characteristics were studied by repeated extractions with 1 M HNO₃ and 1 M NH₄OAc extractants. The initial status of K was satisfactory to adequate. Potassium fixation of added K increased with the rate of added K irrespective of soil mineralogy and soil depth. Soils rich in K (Ladowal and Nabha) fixed lower amounts (18–42%) of added K as compared to Gurdaspur, Dhar, and Naura (44.6–86.4%) soils low in K. The unit fertilizer requirement for unit increase in available K was more in low‐K soils. The study highlights the need for more studies on K fixation in relation to the associated minerals in a particular soil. Potassium‐release parameters such as total extractable K, total step K, and CR‐K varied widely in different soil series, indicating wide variation in the K‐supplying capacity of these soils. K released with 1 M NH₄OAc extractant was 20–33% of that obtained with 1 M HNO₃. Total extractable K using 1 M HNO₃ varied from 213 to 528 mg kg^?1 and NH₄OAc‐extractable K ranged from 71 to 312 mg kg^?1 soil in surface and subsurface layers of different soil series. The Ladowal and Nabha series showed higher rates of K release than Gurdaspur, Dhar, and Naura series, indicating their greater K‐supplying capacity.     

灌淤土区长期施钾对作物产量与养分及土壤钾素的长期效应研究

通过在宁夏灌淤土区长达14年的连续施钾和小麦秸秆还田试验, 研究钾素投入对作物产量、养分和土壤钾素状况的影响.结果表明:小麦秸秆还田和长期施用钾肥均可不同程度提高小麦和玉米的经济产量, 其中施钾年平均增产小麦244 kg·hm-2, 玉米397 kg·hm-2, 处理之间产量表现为氮磷钾肥配合秸秆还田>施用氮磷钾肥>氮磷肥配合秸秆还田>只施用氮磷肥.定位后8～10年施钾肥开始显著有效, 玉米显效时间早于小麦;秸秆还田和钾肥的投入均可提高籽粒和秸秆的钾素吸收量, 秸秆含钾丰富, 籽粒钾含量仅占植株钾总量的13%～17%;施用钾肥可提高作物籽粒大中微量元素含量而降低秸秆中、微量元素含量, 促进籽粒对大部分元素的吸收;长期不施钾肥处理(NP和NP+St)0～20 cm土层土壤速效钾和缓效钾含量较定位开始时下降; 所有处理土壤全钾含量均表现下降, 下降幅度为0.8～1.2 g·kg-1.     

Effect of long-term application of rice straw,farmyard manure and inorganic fertilizer on potassium dynamics in soil

Knowledge of K-dynamics in soils can help devise practices for efficient K management in intensive rice-wheat systems. We studied the effect of long-term application of rice straw, farmyard manure (FYM) and inorganic fertilizer on total K and its distribution among different forms in 60-cm soil profile after 14 years of rice-wheat cropping. The exchangeable, the non-exchangeable and the lattice K respectively comprised 1%, 3–10% and 89–95% of total K in surface soil under different treatments. Application of rice straw and FYM positively impacted total K status of soil and its distribution among different forms. The greatest concentrations of total K, lattice K, exchangeable K and NH₄OAc-extractable K were observed in plots receiving both rice straw and FYM together and the lowest in inorganic fertilizer treated plots. On the contrary, the non-exchangeable K was the highest in inorganically fertilized plots and the lowest in rice straw amended plots. The exchangeable, the water soluble and the NH₄OAc-extractable K decreased with soil depth and did not indicate K movement beyond the rooting zone of the crops. The results showed that incorporation of rice residue in soil, instead of burning, besides reducing environmental pollution led to improved K-fertility of soils.     

Long‐term fertilization impacts on corn yields and soil organic matter on a clay‐loam soil in Northeast China

A long‐term fertilization experiment with monoculture corn (Zea mays L.) was established in 1980 on a clay‐loam soil (Black Soil in Chinese Soil Classification and Typic Halpudoll in USDA Soil Taxonomy) at Gongzhuling, Jilin Province, China. The experiment aimed to study the sustainability of grain‐corn production on this soil type with eight different nitrogen (N)‐, phosphorus (P)‐, and potassium (K)–mineral fertilizer combinations and three levels (0, 30, and 60 Mg ha^–1 y^–1) of farmyard manure (FYM). On average, FYM additions produced higher grain yields (7.78 and 8.03 Mg ha^–1) compared to the FYM0 (no farmyard application) treatments (5.67 Mg ha^–1). The application of N fertilizer (solely or in various combinations with P and K) in the FYM0 treatment resulted in substantial grain‐yield increases compared to the FYM0 control treatment (3.56 Mg ha^–1). However, the use of NP or NK did not yield in any significant additional effect on the corn yield compared to the use of N alone. The treatments involving P, K, and PK fertilizers resulted in an average 24% increase in yield over the FYM0 control. Over all FYM treatments, the effect of fertilization on corn yield was NPK > NP = NK = N > PK = P > K = control. Farmyard‐manure additions for 25 y increased soil organic‐matter (SOM) content by 3.8 g kg^–1 (13.6%) in the FYM1 treatments and by 7.8 g kg^–1 (27.8%) in the FYM2 treatments, compared to a 3.2 g kg^–1 decrease (11.4%) in the FYM0 treatments. Overall, the results suggest that mineral fertilizers can maintain high yields, but a combination of mineral fertilizers plus farmyard manure are needed to enhance soil organic‐matter levels in this soil type.     

A heterogeneous potassium supply enhances the leaf potassium concentration of ridge‐cultivated tobacco grown in calcareous soil

The high potassium (K)‐fixing capacity of calcareous soils with homogeneous K supply limits crop K concentration. The objective of this study was to determine the increase in the leaf K concentration of tobacco (Nicotiana tabaccum L.) with a heterogeneous K supply. Two field experiments were conducted from 2013 to 2015 with five K rates applied in homogeneous environments and one K rate applied in varying fractions of soil volume (from 0% to 100%) in heterogeneous environments. Under ridge culture, leaf biomass was not significantly affected by homogeneous (K rate) or heterogeneous (patch size) K management. Under homogeneous conditions, increasing the K supply to three times the standard rate used by farmers (249 kg K ha⁻¹) increased leaf K concentration significantly, but the effect was limited and not cost‐effective. Heterogeneous supply of K fertilizer at the standard K rate in patches of 0–40% of soil volume outperformed homogeneous K supply in terms of leaf K concentrations. Furthermore, K fertilizer mixed in intermediate soil volume fractions of 1–20% resulted in higher leaf K concentrations than the smallest (0%) and larger (30–40%) soil fractions. However, such K‐rich patch application should be managed precisely with specific placement due to the sharp reduction in available K with increasing distance from the fertilizer. To maximize the sorption of immobile K, the match between the uptake volume of the rhizosphere and the area available for K diffusion is important.     

长期施用化肥和稻草对红壤性水稻土非交换性钾释放动力学的影响

研究了长期定位施肥试验中连续27年(1981-2007)施用化肥和稻草对红壤性水稻土非交换性钾释放特征及其动力学的影响.本试验选择了其中5个处理:CK(不施肥)、NP(施氮、磷肥)、NPK(施氮、磷、钾肥)、NP+RS(施氮、磷肥和稻草)和NPK+RS(施氮、磷、钾肥和稻草).结果表明,长期施用钾肥和稻草的条件下,各处理土壤中非交换性钾的释放均存在2个不同的阶段:即第一阶段(1～14 h)表现为直线上升阶段,第二阶段(14～796 h)为缓慢增长阶段.5个处理中,长期不施钾处理(CK和NP)的土壤非交换性钾累积释放量较低,分别为62.22和56.12 mg/kg,长期施钾处理(NPK、NP+RS和NPK+RS)的土壤非交换性钾累积释放量较高,分别为67.52、64.41和75.33 mg/kg.施稻草处理(NPK+RS和NP+RS)的土壤非交换性钾释放量明显高于相应不施稻草处理(NPK和NP)的土壤,这可能与长期施用稻草促使土壤矿物钾中的一部分向非交换性钾转化有关.用抛物线扩散、零级反应、一级反应和Elovich方程模拟土壤非交换性钾的释放动力学结果表明,Elovich方程能比较好地模拟5个处理土壤非交换性钾的释放动力学.分段直线方程能更好地描述土壤非交换性钾释放的机制.     

长期施钾对红壤水稻土水稻产量及土壤钾素状况的影响

研究了长期定位施肥试验中连续27年（1981～2007）施用钾肥对水稻产量和土壤钾素状况的影响。本试验选择了其中5个处理:CK（不施肥）、NP（施氮、磷肥）、NPK（施氮、磷、钾肥）、NP+RS（施氮、磷肥和稻草）和NPK+RS（施氮、磷、钾肥和稻草）。结果表明,施钾能明显提高水稻产量,施钾肥的NPK和NPK+RS处理27年的早稻平均产量分别比NP和NP+RS处理增加15.2%和10.9%;晚稻增产17.2%和9.1%;在27年54季水稻种植期间,不同施肥处理早、晚稻产量的变化趋势不同。CK、NP处理的早、晚稻产量随时间的推移呈负变化趋势,而NPK、NP+RS和NPK+RS处理的早、晚稻产量呈正变化趋势。施钾的NPK和NPK+RS处理不同土层中土壤全钾、缓效钾和速效钾含量均高于NP和NP+RS处理的相同土层;除NPK+RS处理外,其它各处理表观钾平衡均为负值,其中CK和NP处理钾的负平衡值最大。长期施用钾肥能提高水稻产量和维持土壤钾素肥力。     

Effect of Potassium Supplies on the Nutritional Status of Maize (Zea mays L.)

The effect of soil potassium (K) supplies on the yield and nutritional status of maize and on interactions between the nutrients was examined in a long-term mineral fertilization experiment on maize. The experiment was set up in 1989 in Hungarian Great Plain, Szarvas on chernozem meadow soil calcareous in the deeper layers, with four levels each of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) supplies. The present paper describes the results of K fertilization in the 7–19th years of the experiment, from 1996 to 2008. The ammonium (NH₄)-lactate (AL) potassium oxide (K₂O) content of the ploughed layer ranged from 200 to 550 mg kg^–1 depending on the K fertilization level. No significant yield surpluses were recorded in any of the 13 years in response to the better K supplies ensured by K fertilizer. The results of leaf analysis indicated that the K concentrations representing satisfactory K supplies at a grain yield level of 10–14 t ha^–1 were 2.3–4.3% at the 5–6-leaf stage and 1.5–2.6% at the beginning of tasselling. When the AL-K₂O content of the soil was above 200–320 mg kg^–1, K– calcium (Ca), K–magnesium (Mg) and K–copper (Cu) antagonism was observed in the nutrient concentrations of the maize leaves in most years. The limit values of satisfactory nutrient supplies for maize in the 5–6-leaf stage and at the beginning of tasselling were 0.25–0.60% for Ca, 0.15–0.40% for Mg, and 7–11 mg kg^–1 and 2–11 mg kg^–1, respectively, for Cu. In dry years the iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) concentrations of maize leaves declined at higher soil K supply levels.     

Phosphorus deficiency diagnosis and fertilization in mungbean grown in rainfed calcareous soils of Pakistan

Abstract

Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L). Wilczek] grown in rainfed calcareous soils suffers with phosphorus (P) deficiency. In view of high cost and low use efficiency of P fertilizer, greenhouse, incubation, and field experiments were carried out for determining P deficiency diagnostic criteria and efficient method of P fertilizer application in mungbean. In a pot culture experiment using a P‐deficient Typic Ustocherpt, maximum increase in grain yield with P was 686% over the control; and fertilizer requirement for near‐maximum (95%) grain yield was 30 mg P kg^‐1 soil where fertilizer was mixed with the whole soil volume (broadcast) and 14 mg P kg^‐1 where mixed with 1/4th soil volume (band placement). In a field experiment on a P‐deficient Typic Camborthid, however, maximum increase in grain yield was 262% over the control. Band placement resulted in 73% fertilizer saving as P requirement was 66 kg ha^‐1 by broadcast and only 18 kg ha^‐1 by band placement. Critical P concentration range appears to be 0.27–0.33% in young whole shoots (≤30 cm tall) and 0.25–0.30% in recently matured leaves. In an incubation study using the same Typic Ustochrept, P extracted by the sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃), the ammonium bicarbonate‐diethlylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (AB)‐DTPA), and the Mehlich 3 soil tests correlated closely with each other, P concentration of whole shoots, and total P uptake by mungbean plants. Critical soil test P levels for pot grown mungbean were NaHCO₃,9 mg kg^‐1; AB‐DTPA, 7 mg kg^‐1; and Mehlich 3, 23 mg dm^‐3 soil. The more efficient and economical ‘universal’ soil test, AB‐DTPA, is recommended for P fertility evaluation of calcareous soils.     

Ability of different soil extraction methods to predict potassium release from soil in ley over three consecutive years

To avoid over‐fertilization of potassium (K) and thereby a mineral composition in the grass crop not optimal for animal health, estimation of K release from soil is important. The analytical methods should therefore predict the total K release. Furthermore, to minimize costs for the farmers they should provide information which remains valid over a period of several years. The relationship between different soil extraction procedures for K and K uptake in ley for three subsequent years after soil sampling was studied in 19 field experiments on a range of mineral soil types in Norway. Potassium determined with solutions that extracted exchangeable K or parts of exchangeable K (0.01 M CaCl₂, 0.5 M NaHCO₃, 1 M NH₄oAc, or ammonium acetate lactate) was significantly (p < 0.05) related to the K yield only in the 1st yr after soil sampling. Potassium extracted with boiling in 1 M or 2 M HNO₃ was significantly related to the K yield only in the 2nd and 3rd yr. Potassium extracted with cold 2 M HCl, boiling 0.1 M HNO₃ or 0.5 M HNO₃ was significantly related to the K yield in all 3 yr after soil sampling. Among these extractants, 0.1 M and 0.5 M HNO₃‐extractable K were better predictors of K uptake than 2 M HCl‐extractable K. These three extractants release some non‐exchangeable K in addition to exchangeable K. The fraction of 1 M HNO₃‐K extractable with 0.1 M HNO₃ varied from 4% to 45%, whereas from 15% to 78% of 1 M HNO₃‐K was extractable with 0.5 M HNO₃. Consequently, the more easily releasable fraction of K extracted by boiling with 1 M HNO₃ varied considerably between different sites.     

Use of soil nonexchangeable potassium by paddy rice with clay structural changes under long-term fertilizer management

To prove the hypothesis that paddy rice utilizes soil nonexchangeable potassium (neK) and causes associated structural changes in clay minerals, K status and clay mineralogy of 22 surface soils from three paddy fields under long-term fertilizer management for 51–93 years were investigated. Soil neK content was determined as the difference between 1 mol L⁻¹ hot HNO₃ extractable K and 1 mol L⁻¹ ammonium acetate exchangeable K. Clay mineralogy was identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The radiocesium interception potential (RIP), an index of frayed edge sites in the interlayer sites of 2:1 type clay minerals, was also determined. The neK contents under the -K and NPK treatments were considerably lower than those under the unfertilized treatment in all the fields, indicating the exploitation of soil neK by rice. XRD analysis of the clay samples revealed 7% shift from the 1.0 peak to 1.4 nm one under the -K treatment compared with the unfertilized one, and the amounts of neK were negatively correlated with those of RIP (p < .01), suggesting the expansion of interlayer spaces of the 2:1 type phyllosilicates such as mica due to the release of neK. In addition, the neK content positively correlated with K balance of the long-term experiments (p < .05). The differences of neK between unfertilized K and -K treatments corresponded to 22–157 kg K ha⁻¹, or 0.42–1.68 kg K ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. In conclusion, utilization of considerable amount of soil neK under K depleted conditions should be considered to establish sustainable K management for paddy rice.     

Different Fractions of Soil Potassium,Olsen Phosphorus,and Available Sulfur Status of Intensively Cultivated Berpura Soil Series of India and Nutrient Indexing of Rice Crop

Berpura alluvial soil series of the Indo‐Gangetic Plains is situated in the Ambala District of the Haryana State of India. Soils of this series had medium concentrations of both potassium (K) and phosphorus (P) and large concentrations of sulfur (S) before 1970. To study different fractions of K, Olsen P, and 0.15% calcium chloride (CaCl₂)–extractable (available) S of soils of the Berpura series and to create nutrient indexing of rice crops growing on this series, surface soil samples were collected from 100 farmers' fields after the harvest of the wheat crop in 2005. During kharif season of same year, samples of upper two leaves at anthesis growth stage of rice crop were also collected from the same 100 farmers' fields that had earlier been sampled for soil analysis. Analysis of soil samples showed more K depletion in soils of this series, of which 86% of farmers' fields were deficient in ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) K (available K). Thirty and 62% of leaf samples of the rice crop growing on the 100 fields of this series were extremely and moderately deficient in K, respectively. The mean values of water‐soluble, exchangeable, nonexchangeable, lattice, and total K were 10.6, 30.3, 390.0, 8204, and 8635 mg kg^?1, respectively. In soils of this series, 0.123, 0.351, 4.517, and 95.009% of total K were found in water‐soluble, exchangeable, nonexchangeable, and lattice K forms, respectively. On the other hand, long‐term farmers' practice of more application of P fertilizer in wheat crop has resulted in P buildup in the soils of the Berpura series. Olsen P in soils of farmers' fields of this series ranged from 9.0 to 153.0 mg kg^?1, with the mean value of 41.8 mg kg^?1. Eighty‐two percent of leaf samples of rice crops grown on this series without application of P fertilizer were sufficient in P. The analysis of soil and rice crops for P and K proved the suitability of 0.5 M sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) and 1 N NH₄OAc for extracting available P and K, respectively, in alluvial soils of the Indo‐Gangetic Plains. The 0.15% CaCl₂–extractable S in this soil ranged from 9.6 to 307 mg kg^?1 with a mean value of 34.6 mg kg^?1. Four and 26% of soil samples had low and medium, respectively, in 0.15% CaCl₂–extractable S. S deficiency was recorded in rice crops, as 29% of the leaf samples were extremely deficient in S and 58% were moderately deficient in S. This indicated the unsuitability of the 0.15% CaCl₂ to extract available S from the Udic ustochrept utilized for cultivation of rice crops.     

Genotypic variation of potassium uptake and use efficiency in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

Potassium (K) deficiency is one of the main limiting factors in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production. To study the mechanism of high K‐use efficiency of cotton, a pot experiment was conducted. The experiment consisted of two cotton genotypes differing in K‐use efficiency (H103 and L122) and two K‐application levels (K₀: 0 g (kg soil)^–1; K₁: 0.40 g (kg soil)^–1). Root‐hair density and length, partitioning of biomass and K in various organs, as well as K‐use efficiency of the two cotton genotypes were examined. The results show that there was no significant difference in K uptake between the two genotypes at both treatments, although the genotype H103 (high K‐use efficiency) exhibited markedly higher root‐hair density than genotype L122 in the K₁ treatment. Correlation analysis indicates that neither root‐hair density nor root‐hair length was correlated with plant K uptake. Furthermore, the boll biomass of genotype H103 was significantly higher than that of genotype L122 in both treatments, and the K accumulation in bolls of genotype H103 was 39%–48% higher than that of genotype L122. On the other hand, the litter index (LI) and the litter K‐partitioning index (LKPI) of genotype H103 were 14%–21% and 22%–27% lower than that of genotype L122. Lastly, the K‐use efficiency of total plant (KUE‐P) of genotype H103 was comparable with that of genotype L122 in both treatments, but the K‐use efficiency in boll yield (KUE‐B) of genotype H103 was 24% and 41% higher than that of genotype L122 in K₀ and K₁ treatments. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that KUE‐P was positively correlated with BKPI and negatively correlated with LKPI, while KUE‐B was positively correlated with BKPI and boll‐harvest index (HI_B), and negatively correlated with LKPI. It is concluded that there were no pronounced effects of root‐hair traits on plant K uptake of the two genotypes. The difference in K‐use efficiency was attributed to different patterns of biomass and K partitioning rather than difference in K uptake of the two genotypes.     

Effects of controlled‐release potassium fertilizer on available potassium,photosynthetic performance,and yield of cotton

Potassium (K) is one of the major mineral elements required for normal growth of cotton. However, understanding the effect of controlled‐release K fertilizer on leaf photosynthesis and K use efficiency (KUE) of cotton is currently limited. A two‐year pot experiment was consecutively conducted in 2014 and 2015 with three kinds of K fertilizer including K₂SO₄, KCl, and polymer‐coated KCl (CRK), each at four application rates (0.00, 0.86, 1.73, and 2.59 g K plant⁻¹, respectively). For each type of K fertilizer, the yield and K uptake of cotton increased but the KUE decreased with higher K fertilizer application. The release characteristics of K from CRK corresponded well to the K requirements during cotton growth. Plant‐available soil K, as well as leaf SPAD values, net photosynthetic rate (P_n), maximal photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), and effective quantum yield of photosystem II (ΦPSII) in CRK treatments were increased after full bloom stage compared to conventional K fertilizers under the same potassium application rate. Consequently, the CRK treatments significantly increased lint cotton yields by 8.1–32.7% and 3.7–20.8%, while the KUE increased by 15.5–54.8% and 14.5–45.4% compared to KCl and K₂SO₄ treatments, respectively. The results indicate that the application of CRK is intensively recommended to replace conventional potassium fertilizers for gaining greater yields and higher KUE of cotton.     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics in Rhizosphere and Nonrhizosphere Soils for a Rapeseed–Rice Cropping Sequence

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important factors in the long-term sustainability of a cropping system. Changes in K concentration and characteristics of K fixation and release in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils in the rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)–rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation were investigated using a rhizobox system. The concentrations of different forms of K in both rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils decreased with plants compared to without plants, regardless of K fertilizer application. Potassium uptake by crops mainly came from the rhizosphere soil. In the treatment without K fertilizer (–K), the main form of K supplied by the soil to the crops was 1.0 mol L^?1 nitric acid (HNO₃) nonextractable K, followed by nonexchangeable K, and then exchangeable K. In the treatment with K fertilizer (+K), the main K forms supplied by the soil to the crops were exchangeable K and nonexchangeable K. The amount and rate of K fixation after one cycle of the rapeseed–rice rotation was greater in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The amount and rate of K fixation of soil in the +K treatment were significantly less than in the –K treatment. The cumulative amounts of K released with 1.0 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ extraction increased with the increasing numbers of extractions, but the K-releasing power of soil by successive extraction decreased gradually and finally became almost constant. The release of K was less in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The release of K in the +K treatment was similar to that in the –K treatment in rhizosphere soil, but the K release in nonrhizosphere soil was greater with the +K than the –K treatment. Overall, the information obtained in this study will be helpful in formulating more precise K fertilizer recommendations for certain soils.     

Soil available potassium affected by rice straw incorporation and potassium fertilizer application under a rice–oilseed rape rotation system

Data from 147 field trials were collected to study the influence of straw incorporation on soil potassium (K) under an intensive rice–oilseed rape rotation system, while pot experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of rice straw incorporation on soil K availability. A significant correlation was observed between the soil available K and the relative yield (RRY) and the relative K uptake (RKU) of oilseed rape, with R² values ranging from 0.07 to 0.08 and from 0.10 to 0.11, respectively, when data were fitted to a logarithmic equation model. In approximately 30% of trials, RRY reached 90%, while soil test available K values were below the critical limit, indicating that soil K values at the time of sampling (within 1 week of rice harvest) underestimated the actual soil K supply capacity. The pot experiment results showed that soil available K was affected by straw incorporation and soil type in the fallow period. The NH₄OAc‐K and NaBPh₄‐K concentrations of soils increased at first, and then, plateaued after 28 days. Straw incorporation significantly influenced the critical soil K concentration, which is important for making accurate K fertilizer recommendation. These results suggested that straw K should be seriously considered in making K fertilizer recommendations. Extending the sampling time from 1 to 3 weeks after the harvesting of rice to stabilize the effects of straw incorporation may help achieve a more accurate evaluation of soil available K.     

Zinc adsorption characteristics of selected calcareous soils of Iran and their relationship with soil properties

Abstract

The apparent recovery of applied zinc (Zn) by plants is very low in calcareous soils of Iran because most of it is retained by the soil solids. Subsamples of 24 surface soil (clay 130–530 g kg^‐1; pH 7.7–8.4; electrical conductivity 0.63–3.10 dS m^‐1; organic matter 6.0–22.0 g kg^‐1; cation exchange capacity 8–20 cmol kg^‐1; calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) equivalent 180–460 g kg^‐1) representing 13 soil series in three taxonomic orders were equilibrated with zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄) solutions and the amount of Zn disappeared from solution after a 24‐h shaking period was taken as that adsorbed (retained) by the soil solids. The adsorption data were fitted to Freundlich (X=AC^B) and Langmuir [X=(K‐bC)/(1+K#lbC)] adsorption isotherms. Backward stepwiseprocedure was used to obtain regression equations with isotherms coefficients as dependent and soil properties as independent variables. Freundlich A and Langmuir K were found to be highly significantly related to pH and clay and increasing as these soil properties increased. But Langmuir b was related only to clay and Freundlich B showed no significant relationship with any of the properties studied. The distribution coefficient (also called maximum buffering capacity), calculated as the product of Langmuir K and b, was also found to be highly significantly related to pH and clay. It is concluded that pH and clay content of calcareous soils are the most influential soil properties in retention of Zn.     

Effect of potassium fertilization on yield and potassium nutrition of Boro rice in a wetland ecosystem of Bangladesh

Effect of potassium (K) fertilization (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 kg K ha^?1) on yield, nitrogen (N) and K nutrition of Boro (dry season) rice and apparent soil K balance was studied. Experiment was conducted at Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) regional station farm, Habiganj, Bangladesh during 2007–2008 to 2009–2010 in a wetland rice ecosystem under haor area. Cropping pattern was Boro–Fallow–Fallow. A popular rice variety BRRI dhan29 was tested in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results indicated that BRRI dhan29 maintained an average grain yield of 5.19 t ha^?1 year^?1 without K fertilization. Potassium fertilization significantly increased the grain yield to 6.86 t ha^?1 year^?1. Quadratic equations best explained the progressive increase of rice yield with increasing K rates. Optimum dose of K in 3 years ranged from 78 to 93 kg ha^?1. Internal N use efficiency of rice decreased with increasing K rates. However, K use efficiency was inconsistent. Apparent K balance study revealed that application of 100 kg K ha^?1 was not able to maintain a positive K balance in soil under wetland ecosystem with Boro–Fallow–Fallow cropping system. However, K fertilization decreased the negativity of K balance in soil.     

5年定位试验条件下钾肥用量对双季稻产量和施钾效应的影响

通过5年定位试验（2008~2012年）, 研究不同钾肥施用量对水稻产量、植株钾素含量、钾素积累量、钾肥利用率、土壤钾素含量、钾素平衡和钾肥经济效益的影响。试验施钾量（K2O）从低到高设K0（不施钾）、K1（早稻84 kg/hm2、晚稻105 kg/hm2）、K2（早稻120kg/hm2、晚稻 150 kg/hm2）、K3（早稻156kg/hm2、晚稻195 kg/hm2）和K4（早稻192kg/hm2、晚稻 240kg/hm2）5个处理。5年的试验结果表明, 施钾能显著提高早、晚稻产量,在一定施钾量范围内,水稻产量随施钾量的增加而增加;施钾能促进水稻植株对钾素的吸收和积累,尤其是稻草对钾素的吸收和积累;早、晚稻的钾肥农学效应均以K2处理最高（早稻3.12 kg/kg、晚稻3.70 kg/kg）;钾肥利用率以K1处理最高（早稻41.2%、晚稻76.4%）,并随施钾量提高而降低;不同施钾量对土壤钾素含量有明显影响,土壤速效钾、缓效钾和土壤全钾均随施钾量的增加而增加,且不同处理间土壤速效钾含量差异达极显著水平（P＜0.01）;连续种植5年10季水稻后,K0、K1和K2处理的土壤钾素亏缺（K 127.1kg/hm2、 58.3kg/hm2和10.8kg/hm2）,亏缺量随施钾量的增加而降低; K3和K4处理的土壤钾素盈余（48.0 kg/hm2 和109.2kg/hm2）,盈余量随施钾量的增加而增加。在经济效益上,早、晚稻产投比均以K2处理最高（早稻1.04、晚稻1.27）。综合考虑施钾的增产效应、经济效益和土壤钾素养分平衡等因素,建议该双季稻区早稻施钾量在K2O 120~156 kg/hm2、晚稻施钾量在K2O 150~195kg/hm2范围内较为适宜。