OVERVIEW
- Adequate levels of K and N can aid in nutrient uptake and optimize nutrient recovery.
- Optimizing Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) relies on potassium ions (K+) to balance the negative charge of nitrate (NO3 -) as it is taken up by roots and distributed throughout the corn plant.
- Aspire is an innovative K fertilizer that uses Nutriform® technology to combine potassium along with two forms of boron (B) (fast and slow release) for optimal nutrient delivery and distribution.
TRIAL DETAILS
CROP: Corn (Zea mays)
YEAR: 2023
LOCATION: Sabanci University, Turkey
DATA SOURCE: Dr. Ismail Cakmak
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Pot trials conducted under greenhouse conditions and averaged across two soil types.
- Loam (7.8 pH, 244 ppm K, 0.1 ppm B)
- Clay (4.6 pH, 81 ppm K, 0.4 ppm B)
- Fertilizer applied representing a low and high nitrogen rate
Treatments:
- Low N, no K
- High N, no K
- Low N, Aspire
- High N, Aspire
Study Details:
- Fertilizers were homogeneously mixed with soil, simulating broadcast and incorporated applications.
- Above ground dry matter and nutrient uptake was determined 37 days after planting.
SUMMARY
- Corn potassium uptake increased 10 mg/plant (11.2%) when nitrogen application rates were increased to sufficient levels with Aspire, but only 5.5 mg/plant when no K was applied.
- Plant dry matter increased 22% (0.91 g/plant) with Aspire when N rate increased from low to high, compared to only an 11% (0.41 g/plant) increase when N rates were increased from low to high with no K.
- Potassium nutrition with Aspire is needed as part of a balanced crop nutrition program to optimize N applications, plant dry matter production, and K uptake.
