Onion Yield, Quality, and Storage Responses to Phosphorus and Potassium on a High-phosphorus, Low-pH Muck Soil: Maybe K, but Hold the P
Year: 1997
Type: article
Abstract: The influences of preplant, broadcast P and K fertilizer on long-day yellow onion yield, quality, and storage characteristics were evaluated in 1995 and 1996 on a low-pH muck soil in north-central Ohio. Recommendations based on preseason soil tests indicated the crops would benefit from supplemental K, but not P, in 1995 and also in 1996. In both seasons, broadcast P rates were 0, 67, and 138 kg·ha –1 P 2 O 5 ; K rates were 0, 168 and 336 kg·ha of K 2 O. The 3 × 3 factorial of P and K treatments was replicated four times. Phosphorus rate did not significantly influence yield or quality in either 1995 or 1996. Total yield, percent marketable yield, and the concentration of K in the bulbs increased linearly with K in 1995, even though the highest K application rate exceeded the rate recommended by soil testing by more than 100 kg·ha –1 . Mean bulb size did not differ significantly among K rates. Potassium rate did not affect yield or quality in 1996, a drier year than 1995. After 5 months of commercial storage, onions from all nine treatments harvested in 1995 had similar amounts of rotten or sprouted bulbs, and weight loss. These results support the idea that P applications can be reduced or eliminated on high-P muck soils without reducing yield or quality. Onion response to applied K requires additional study before firm recommendations can be made.
Source: HortScience
Author: W.B. Evans
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2585821114