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Response of Sugar Beets to Potassium Fertilization in Relation to Soil Physical and Moisture Conditions¹

ABSTRACT

The relationship existing between the effects of potash fertilizers, physical and chemical properties of the soils and moisture tension treatments on the yield and potassium and sodium uptake by sugar beets in south central Montana have been studied.

Small sugar beet yield increases due to potash fertilizer were obtained on calcareous soils containing quantities of exchangeable potassium much in excess of what is usually thought to be adequate for maximum growth (i.e., from 0.82 to 1.79 m.e. per 100 grams soil).

Another experiment having moisture tension variables was conducted on a soil with relatively few large pores particularly at the 6 inch depth. Late in the season, sugar beets growing on low tension treatments showed evidence of potassium deficiency and petioles contained 31% less potassium than petioles from high tension treatments.

Since yield increases due to potash were obtained on soils with a very few large pores and maintained at low moisture tensions, it is suggested that poor soil aeration was a major factor contributing to the low potash availability. The lack of any relation between potassium uptake and the amounts exchangeable also may suggest that potassium absorption was dependent on soil aeration.

¹ Joint contribution from the Soil and Water Conservation Branch, A.R.S., U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, and the Montana Agr. Exp. Sta. The work was supported in part by grants from the Great Western Sugar Co. and the Holly Sugar Corp. Montana Agr. Exp. Sta., Journal Series, Paper No. 315, presented before Div. IV, Soil Science Society of America, Dallas, Tex., Nov. 17, 1953.

² Agent (Soil Scientist), Western Section of Soil and Water Management, and Research Associate in Soils, Montana Agr. Exp. Sta.

Received for publication November 12, 1953.