Exploration of Responses to Potassium in Western Uruguay
Several regions of Uruguay has recently shown K deficiencies and responses. This project looks to determine the different areas with K deficiency, evaluate responses in the main field crops, and provide information on K soil testing.
IPNI-2007-URY-2
16 Jan 2008
2007 Annual Interpretive Summary
Previous observations have indicated possible K deficiencies and responses in field crops within the northwestern Uruguay region. In the 2006/07 season, a field experiment was carried out to evaluate K responses in corn. The experiment was located within the Constitucion soil series and available soil K was low (0.16 cmol/kg exchangeable K) at the site. Treatments included a zero K check, 125 kg/ha of banded potassium chloride (KCl), 125 kg/ha of broadcast KCl, 225 kg/ha of banded KCl, 125 kg/ha of banded K fertilizer comprised of 50% KCl + 50% potassium sulfate (K2SO4).
Dry matter accumulation, plant K concentration, and grain yield all showed a significant response to K fertilization. There were no differences among K rates or banded versus broadcast K applications. There was no response to sulfur (S) application. Additional field study is planned at other sites for the 2007/08 season to further clarify the extend of K responses in the region. Uruguay-02