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Further insights into why potassium fertility is a paradox

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 February 2015

S.A. Khan ,
R.L. Mulvaney  and
T.R. Ellsworth
S.A. Khan*
Affiliation:
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
R.L. Mulvaney
Affiliation:
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
T.R. Ellsworth
Affiliation:
West Hills Community College District, Coalinga, CA 93210, USA.
*
* Corresponding author: potassiumparadox@gmail.com
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Abstract

For many years, crop potassium (K) availability has been estimated by soil testing the plow layer for exchangeable K, in conjunction with potassium chloride fertilization widely promoted as an essential prerequisite for ensuring crop yield and quality. As rigorously documented in our paper, both components of chemical-based K management are seriously flawed by the lack of a scientific basis. Under the pretext of providing economic benefit for the producer and a healthy food supply for the public at large, the real purpose is to generate revenue for the fertilizer industry.

Keywords

soil K testingKClpotash fertilizerprofitabilityCd bioaccumulation
Type
Research Papers
Information
Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems , Volume 30 , Issue 2 , April 2015 , pp. 120 - 123
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Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

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