Potassium Rate Effect on Plant Uptake and Forage Yield of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Grown in an Arid Environment
2004
Errebhi, M Ammar | AbdelGadir, A Hamid | Sarhan, H Ben | Jaloud, A. A.
Potassium (K) is required by field crops in high amounts to obtain maximum yield. In the arid regions of Saudi Arabia where K levels in soil and water are quite adequate, farmers and farming industries believe that there is no need for additional K fertilizer. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of various K rates on leaf K concentration and total biomass of irrigated barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) produced for use as green forage. A large-scale field experiment was conducted at two different sites: Kharj, a sandy soil with 83 ppm exchangeable K; and Makaheel, a sandy loam with 114 ppm exchangeable K. Potassium levels in irrigation water were 15 and 11 ppm for the Kharj and Makaheel sites, respectively. At both sites, potassium was applied at four rates: 0, 45, 90, and 135 lb of K₂O per acre. Barley tissue K concentration ranged from 2.0 to 3.4% at Kharj, and from 3.5 to 6.0% at Makaheel. Total forage yield ranged from 7.6 to 8.2 tons/acre at Kharj and from 10.1 to 11.9 tons/acre at Makaheel. At both locations, K rate did not statistically affect forage yield of barley. Calculations of K input-output for Kharj and similar arid environments indicate that an application of chemical K fertilizer would not be recommended. Soil salinity management and introduction of salt tolerant barley varieties are suggested. However, for Makaheel and similar regions, growers should apply chemical K fertilizer at the rate of 120 lb of K₂O per acre to sustain high forage yield and replenish soil K.
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