Soil potassium—crop response calibration relationships and criteria for field crops grown in Australia
Ross F. Brennan A C and Michael J. Bell BA Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia, 444 Albany Highway, Albany, WA 6330, Australia.
B Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, University of Queensland, PO Box 23, Kingaroy, Qld 4610, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: ross.brennan@agric.wa.gov.au
Crop and Pasture Science 64(5) 514-522 https://doi.org/10.1071/CP13006
Submitted: 4 January 2013 Accepted: 11 April 2013 Published: 22 August 2013
Abstract
The Better Fertiliser Decision for Crops (BFDC) National Database holds historic data for 356 potassium (K) fertiliser rate experiments (431 treatment series) for different rain-fed grain crops and soil types across Australia. Bicarbonate-extractable K (Colwell soil-test K) is the most extensively used soil test reported in the database. Data are available for several crop species grown on a range of soil types from all states except Tasmania. Species represented and number of treatment series in the database are: wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), 254; barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), 5; canola (Brassica napus L.), 130; lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.), 32; sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), 10; sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), 5; and faba bean (Vicia faba L.), 2. About 77% of the available soil-test K (STK) data on wheat, canola, and lupin are from Western Australia. The usual sampling depth of 0–10 cm is recorded for all treatment series within the database, while 68% of experiments have STK information from other soil horizons down the profile, usually in 10-cm increments.
The BFDC Interrogator, a comprehensive data search and calibration support tool developed for use with the BFDC National Database, was used to examine STK–yield relationships for each crop across Australia, with more detailed analysis by state/region and then by soil type if data were available. The BFDC Interrogator was used to determine a critical STK concentration to achieve 90% of the maximum relative yield (90%RY) for each crop species, with a critical range (determined by the 70% confidence limit for the 90%RY) also reported.
The STK for 90%RY for wheat was 40–41 mg/kg on Tenosols and Chromosols, ~49 mg/kg on Kandosols, and ~64 mg/kg on Brown Ferrosols. There was some evidence of critical values increasing with increasing crop yield and on soils with no acidity constraints to root growth, with effects presumably driven by increased crop K demand. The STK for 90%RY for canola, grown mainly on Tenosols, was similar to that for wheat, ranging from 43 to 46 mg K/kg, but for lupin, also grown mainly on Tenosols, the STK for 90%RY was a relatively low ~25 mg K/kg. Data for sunflower were limited and the STK for 90%RY was poorly defined. A comparison of critical STK concentrations for different crops grown on Tenosols suggested that critical ranges for 90%RY of lupin (22–27 mg K/kg) were significantly lower than that for wheat (32–52 mg K/kg) and canola (44–49 mg K/kg). Critical STK values were not determined for sorghum and faba bean.
Additional keywords: bicarbonate-extractable K, canola, lupin, soil test K, sunflower, wheat.
References
Al-Azawi HKA (2010) Effect of cation exchange capacity on the availability of potassium to plants in Vertosols. MSc Agric. Thesis, Faculty of Arts and Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia.Bedrossian S, Singh B (2004) Potassium adsorption characteristics and potassium forms in some New South Wales soils in relation to early senescence in cotton. Australian Journal of Soil Research 42, 747–753.
| Potassium adsorption characteristics and potassium forms in some New South Wales soils in relation to early senescence in cotton.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXpslGksr4%3D&md5=f2a0dedff0f88a235b78e021b4bcd847CAS |
Bell MJ, Moody PW (2001) Nitrogen, potassium, calcium and magnesium balances for dryland cropping systems (Burnett region, Queensland). In ‘Australian agriculture assessment. Vol. I’. (National Land and Water Resources Audit: Canberra, ACT)
Bell MJ, Harch GR, Bridge BJ (1995) Effects of continuous cultivation on Ferrosols in subtropical southeast Queensland. I. Site characterisation, crop yields and soil chemical status. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 46, 237–253.
| Effects of continuous cultivation on Ferrosols in subtropical southeast Queensland. I. Site characterisation, crop yields and soil chemical status.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bell MJ, Harch GR, Want PS, Moody PW (2008) Management responses to declining potassium fertility in Ferrosol soils In ‘Global issues. Paddock action. Proceedings of 14th Agronomy Conference’. Adelaide, S. Aust. (Ed. M Unkovich) (Australian Society of Agronomy/The Regional Institute Ltd: Gosford, NSW) Available at: www.regional.org.au/au/asa/2008/concurrent/plant-nutrition/5800_bell.htm
Bell MJ, Moody PW, Harch GR, Compton B, Want PS (2009) Fate of potassium fertilisers applied to clay soils under rainfed grain cropping in south-east Queensland, Australia. Australian Journal of Soil Research 47, 60–73.
| Fate of potassium fertilisers applied to clay soils under rainfed grain cropping in south-east Queensland, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXhvFagu74%3D&md5=183fb712ebe55f442da86ecea102e663CAS |
Bell M, Moody P, Klepper K, Lawrence D (2010) The challenge to sustainability of broadacre grain cropping systems on clay soils in northern Australia. In ‘Proceedings of the 19th World Soils Congress – Soil Solutions for a Changing World’. Brisbane, Qld. pp. 301–305. (International Union of Soil Sciences) (DVD-ROM)
Brennan RF, Bolland MDA (2006) Soil and tissue to predict the potassium requirement of canola in south-western Australia. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 46, 675–679.
| Soil and tissue to predict the potassium requirement of canola in south-western Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XksVGlu7g%3D&md5=25351d83fe96ec1f368c20fd977141daCAS |
Brennan RF, Bolland MDA, Bowden JW (2004) Potassium deficiency, and molybdenum deficiency and aluminium toxicity due to soil acidification, have become problems for cropping sandy soils in south-western Australia. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 44, 1031–1039.
| Potassium deficiency, and molybdenum deficiency and aluminium toxicity due to soil acidification, have become problems for cropping sandy soils in south-western Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXhtVaisrnF&md5=02db45e03af1518fad0fcc00c8416156CAS |
Brennan RF, Bolland MDA, Bowden JW (2008) Plant nutrition. In ‘Producing lupins’. Bulletin No. 4727. (Eds P White, R French, A McLarty) pp. 83–75. (Department of Agriculture and Food: South Perth, W. Aust.)
Bryan WW, Sharpe JP (1965) The effect of urea and cutting treatments on the production of Pangola grass in south-eastern Queensland. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture and Animal Husbandry 5, 433–441.
| The effect of urea and cutting treatments on the production of Pangola grass in south-eastern Queensland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chen W, Bell RW, Brennan RF, Bowden JW, Dobermann A, Rengel Z, Porter W (2009) Key crop nutrient management issues in the Western Australia grains industry: a review. Australian Journal of Soil Research 47, 1–18.
| Key crop nutrient management issues in the Western Australia grains industry: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Colwell JD, Esdaile RJ (1968) The calibration, interpretation and evaluation of tests for the phosphorus fertiliser requirement of wheat to northern New South Wales. Australian Journal of Soil Research 6, 105–120.
| The calibration, interpretation and evaluation of tests for the phosphorus fertiliser requirement of wheat to northern New South Wales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cox WJ (1980) Potassium for crops and pastures in medium and low rainfall areas. Journal of Agriculture Western Australia 21, 12–18.
Dyson CB, Conyers MK (2013) Methodology for online biometric analysis of soil test-crop response datasets. Crop & Pasture Science 64, 435–441.
Edwards NK (1997) Potassium fertiliser improves wheat yield and grain quality on duplex soils. In ‘Proceedings of the 1st Workshop on Potassium in Australian Agriculture’. (Ed. MTF Wong) pp. 69–75. (UWA Press: Crawley, W. Aust.)
Edwards NK (1998) Potassium. In ‘Soilguide: a handbook for understanding and managing agricultural soils’. Bulletin No. 4343. (Ed. G Moore) pp. 173–180. (Agriculture Western Australia: South Perth, W. Aust.)
Empire Cotton Growing Corporation (1950) ‘Progress reports from experimental stations: Season 1948–1949, programmes for 1949–1950.’ Annual Report, p. 172. (Empire Cotton Growing Corporation: London)
Fitzpatrick EN, Dunne TC (1956) Potassium for subterranean clover. Journal of the Department of Agriculture of Western Australia 5, 321–326.
Howard DD, Essington ME, Tyler D (1999) Vertical phosphorus and potassium stratification in no-till cotton soils. Agronomy Journal 91, 266–269.
| Vertical phosphorus and potassium stratification in no-till cotton soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Isbell RF (2002) ‘The Australian Soil Classification.’ 2nd edn (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne)
Lewis DC, Potter TD, Weckert SE (1991) The effect of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertiliser applications on the seed yield of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) grown on sandy soils and the prediction of phosphorus and potassium responses by soil tests. Fertilizer Research 28, 185–190.
| The effect of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertiliser applications on the seed yield of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) grown on sandy soils and the prediction of phosphorus and potassium responses by soil tests.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3MXltlGjs7Y%3D&md5=d46d19d2611e9f8f776f942fbb08b859CAS |
Mallarino AP, Borges R (2006) Phosphorus and potassium distribution in soil following long-term deep-band fertilisation in different tillage systems. Soil Science Society of America Journal 70, 702–707.
| Phosphorus and potassium distribution in soil following long-term deep-band fertilisation in different tillage systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28Xis1Cqsrk%3D&md5=6b7197a6ddada2bf092d943408275542CAS |
McArthur WM (2004) ‘Reference soils of south-western Australia, 2004–reprint.’ (Australian Soil Science Society of Australia Inc., WA Branch: Perth, W. Aust.)
Moody PW, Bell MJ (2006) Availability of soil potassium and diagnostic soil tests. Australian Journal of Soil Research 44, 265–275.
| Availability of soil potassium and diagnostic soil tests.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XktFWitbg%3D&md5=58258cae7cfcd49506e12d1fc8a64a23CAS |
Moody PW, Bell M, Klepper K, Lawrence D, Pu G (2010) Implications of minimum till dryland cropping systems for diagnostic P and K soil tests. In ‘19th World Congress of Soil Science – Soil Solutions for a Changing World’. Brisbane, Qld. (International Union of Soil Sciences) (DVD-ROM)
National Land and Water Resources Audit (2001) Nutrient management in Australian agriculture. In ‘Australian agriculture assessment. Vol. I.’ (National Land and Water Resources Audit: Canberra, ACT)
Newman RJ (1948) Pasture investigations in the Western District. Journal of the Department of Agriculture of Victoria 46, 49–57.
Paton DF (1950) Potash responses on pasture in northern Tasmania. Tasmanian Journal of Agriculture 21, 203–211.
Piper CS, De Vries MPC (1960) The availability of potassium in some Tasmanian soils. II. Exhaustive cropping in relation to potassium reserves in the soil. Australian Journal of Agricultural Economics 11, 774–804.
Rayment GE, Lyons DJ (2010) ‘Soil chemical methods: Australasia.’ Australian Soil and Land Survey Handbooks Series. (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne)
Reuter DJ, Duncombe-Wall D, Judson G (1997) Potassium balance in Australia’s broadacre industries: a contemporary national and regional analysis. In ‘Proceedings of the First Workshop on Potassium in Australian Agriculture’. (Eds M Wong, Y Pal, N Edwards) pp. 1–8. (UWA Press: Crawley, W. Aust.)
Römheld V, Neumann EA (2006) The rhizosphere: contribution of the soil-root interface to sustainable soil systems. In ‘Biological approaches to sustainable soil systems’. (Ed. N Uphoff) pp. 92–107. (CRC Press: Oxford, UK)
Rossiter RC (1952) Studies on the nutrition of pasture plants in the south-west of Western Australia IV. The growth of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) as affected by lime, molybdenum and potassium. Australian Journal of Agricultural Economics 3, 244–258.
Syer JK (1998) ‘Soil and plant potassium.’ (The Fertiliser Society: Newcastle upon Tyne, UK)
Tiver NS, Manett PL (1958) Potash for pastures. Journal of the Department of Agriculture of South Australia 61, 315–317.
Vallance LG (1950) Soil Fertility investigations. Results of the 1949 season. Cane Growers’ Quarterly Bulletin 13, 154–160.
Waring EJ (1956) A response by Kikuyu grass to potash fertiliser on a red basaltic soil of the Tweed river district of New South Wales. Journal of the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science 22, 69–70.
Watmuff G, Reuter DJ, Speirs SD (2013) Methodologies for assembling and interrogating N, P, K, and S soil test calibrations for Australian cereal, oilseed and pulse crops. Crop & Pasture Science 64, 424–434.
White J (2002) Potassium distribution in Ferrosols and its influence on rain-fed crop production in the South Burnett region of Queensland. PhD Thesis, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld, Australia.
Wong MTF, Witwer K (1997) Aspects of potassium impacting on the sustainability of Western Australian agriculture. In ‘Proceedings of the First Workshop on Potassium in Australian agriculture’. (Eds Wong, Y Pal, NK Edwards) pp. 9–14. (UWA Press: Crawley, W. Aust.)
Wong MTF, Edwards NK, Barrow NJ (2000) Accessibility of subsoil potassium to wheat grown on duplex soils in the south-west of Western Australia. Australian Journal of Soil Research 38, 745–751.
| Accessibility of subsoil potassium to wheat grown on duplex soils in the south-west of Western Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wood AW, Schroeder BL (2004) Potassium: A critical role in sugarcane production, particularly in drought conditions. In ‘Proceedings of the Conference of the Australian Society of Sugarcane Technologists’. No. 26. (Watson Ferguson and Co.: Brisbane) (CD-ROM)
