Potassium Fertilization: Time For Another Look
“If you’ve never used potassium fertilizer, maybe now is the time to take a second look.” – Les Henry
This article by Les Henry explores the history of potassium fertilization in the Prairies and emphasizes potential consequences if we continue to remove more potassium from the soil than we apply.
The establishment of provincial soil test laboratories in the 1960s by the prairie provinces marked a significant step forward in understanding potassium as a crucial plant nutrient. Prior to this potassium deficiency wasn’t a major concern because field crop responses were minimal.
The implementation of soil testing allowed deficiencies to be pinpointed, leading to targeted field experiments. Data from over 19,000 summer fallow and over 25,000 stubble fields between 1968 and 1979 revealed a gradual decline in soil test potassium levels. Further analysis illustrated a significant disparity between potassium removed from the soil through crops and the amount applied via fertilizers.
Historical data and field experiments underscore the critical role of potassium in crop growth and yield. With decades of potassium mining from soils, reconsidering potassium fertilization practices is essential for sustaining agricultural productivity in the prairie provinces.
In this webinar by Top Crop Manager, Nutrien Senior Agronomist Lyle Cowell discusses the potassium nutrient bank in soils across Western Canada and the range of plant functions potassium is responsible for.
Listen to these episodes of The Dirt podKast to learn more about potassium:
The Role of Potassium in Plants with Dr. Antonio Mallarino
Everything You Need To Know About Potash
View free agronomic resources about potassium in our free agronomic toolkit:
