Potassium Contents in the Main Parts of Spring Barley as Affected by Soil Properties and Nutrient Supply

Abstract

Literature data indicating the adequate and inadequate nutrient concentrations of spring barley are still not complete. The main objective of our study was to establish quantitative relationships between potassium (K) fertilization and plant responses on two soil types in Hungary. Our pot experiment was carried out in 2006 under greenhouse conditions in two soils, a Haplic Luvisol and a Calcaric Gleysol (referred to as soil A and soil B) with low levels of available nutrients. Malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L., Scarlett variety) was used as a test plant. Four rates of K were added at two nitrogen (N)–phosphorus (P) levels for studying plant responses to nutrient supply and soil characteristics. Samples were taken at different growth stages from the main parts of barley considered as good indicators of nutrient status and crop yield. Potassium-deficient fertilization resulted in significant decreases in the K concentration of plants in both soils. Except for the unfertilized control, K concentrations of barley leaves were higher in soil A than in soil B at the stage of full flowering. However, K concentrations of flowering ears were lower in soil A, except for the N1P1K2 treatment. It was found that amounts of K taken up by whole barley plants were greater in soil A at each growth stage because of the more favorable soil texture and nutrient-supplying capacity of this soil.