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Leaching of Potassium as Influenced by Source and Frequency of Application of Nitrogen 1
Author(s) -
Pearson R. W.
Publication year - 1952
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1952.00021962004400060005x
Subject(s) - agriculture , citation , leaching (pedology) , mathematics , soil water , environmental science , library science , computer science , archaeology , soil science , geography
THE loss of potassium by leaching is a serious problem on deep, light textured soils in regions of relatively high rainfall. Volk (7) found that where heavy applications were made, as much as 34% of the applied potassium was leached into and was retained by the 8-24 inch layer of Norfolk sandy loam. In addition, some leaching below this depth was indicated. Potassium retained in the 8-24 inch soil zone would not be entirely lost to those plants having deeper rooting habits, but, in light of recent studies of cotton root depth in a similar soil (3), it would not be expected to contribute substantially to the development of that plant. Soil texture, rate of application of potassium, and the presence of a winter cover crop have been shown to be important factors determining the percentage of applied potassium that leaches (7). In addition, data have been reported (1, 2, 4, 5, 6) indicating that the source of nitrogen used and the calcium status of the soil affect the rate of leaching of potassium. Inasmuch as the percentage of total applied potassium that leaches increases with increasing rate of application, it would be expected that greater losses would follow infrequent, heavy applications than frequent, light additions even though the average rate per year remained constant.