Effect of long-term application of potassium on sugarcane and soil properties in the Herbert River district : ASSCT peer-reviewed paper
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Date
2019
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Publisher
ASSCT
Abstract
Excess potassium (K) fertiliser use can have a significant effect on sugar quality and refining
costs but offers no benefit to sugarcane crop yield. Potassium fertiliser guidelines are based on
soil texture and two measures of soil potassium: readily available or exchangeable K and
reserve K. The maximum recommended K rate for the Herbert is 120 kg/ha. A long-term K
trial was established on a sandy loam soil at Macknade. High K application rates increased soil
exchangeable K levels and resulted in luxury K consumption by the sugarcane plant. This
significantly increased juice conductivity and third-leaf K levels. It also resulted in significant
reductions in third-leaf values for Ca and Mg.
Description
Keywords
Potassium, Herbert River