Re‐evaluation of Potassium Fertilization of Bluegill,Lepomis macrochirus,Ponds |
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Authors: | Rawee Viriyatum Claude E Boyd |
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Institution: | Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, Auburn University, Alabama 36849, USA |
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Abstract: | An experiment consisting of eight potassium fertilization rates ranging from 0 to 60 kg K2O/ha was conducted in earthen ponds stocked with bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus, at Auburn University in Alabama. Each pond also received nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization at 6 kg N and 3 kg P2O5/ha per application. After 11 fertilizer applications for over 7 mo, potassium concentrations in pond water ranged from 3.3 mg/L in control ponds to 38.9 mg/L in the pond receiving 60 kg K2O/ha. The coefficients of determination (R2) between potassium fertilization rate and bluegill production and between potassium concentration in pond water and bluegill production were 0.039 and 0.071, respectively. Potassium fertilization appears unnecessary in bluegill ponds where water contains more than 2 mg/L of potassium. |
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