Potassium Dynamics in Inceptisols as Influenced by Graded Levels of Potash for Banana: I. Potassium Fractions

• Published in: Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis Vol. 49; no. 15; pp. 1886 - 1895
• Main Authors: Bhalerao, V. P., Deshpande, A. N., Bansal, S. K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia Taylor & Francis 22.08.2018; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Banana; Dynamics; exchangeable K; Fertilizers; Field tests; K balance; non-exchangeable K; Potash; Potassium; Potassium carbonate; Soil; Soils; solution K; total K
• ISSN: 0010-3624; 1532-2416; 1532-4133
• DOI: 10.1080/00103624.2018.1485929

Knowledge of forms of potassium (K) in soil is of great importance for formulating sound fertilizer recommendation to banana. Field experiments were conducted to study the effect of graded levels of potash application on forms of potassium at juvenile, grand growth, shooting, and harvest stages of banana on Vertic Haplustept soil. The negative balance of soil-available K was observed in the treatments of 0, 100, and 200 g K 2 O plant −1 . However, at 300-g K 2 O plant −1 level, the balance was a mere -11 kg ha −1 , and positive balance was observed in the treatments of 400 and 500 g K 2 O plant −1 . Significant positive correlation among different forms of K indicated the interdependency and dynamic equilibrium between K forms. Application of K 2 O above the level of 300 g plant −1 for banana resulted in the build-up of potassium fractions in soil.