The effect of mineral fertilizers on the seasonal dynamics of exchangeable potassium in the orchard soil and the potassium status of sour cherry trees

Tatyana Roeva,Elena Leonicheva,E Renev,R Changzhong,G Batalova,V Romanyuk,Y Shavrokov

doi:10.1051/bioconf/20213604001

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the impact of mineral fertilizers applied to the soil on the potassium level in the components of the “soil-plant” system of the sour cherry orchard. The experiment was conducted in the forest-steppe zone of the Central Russian Upland (Orel region) on loamy Haplic Luvisol during 2018-2020. The seasonal dynamics of exchangeable potassiumin the soil, the potassium status and productivity of sour cherry trees cv. ‘Turgenevka’ on the rootstock V-2-180 were studied in the orchard of 2015 planting. Fertilizers in the form of (NH2)2CO and K2SO4 were applied annually in early spring in doses of N30K40, N60K80, N90K120 and N120K160. It was found that a significant decrease in the level of potassium in the soil occurred during the period of intensive growth and crop formation, or after heavy precipitation. The use of fertilizers increased the content of exchangeable potassium in the soil (by 1.2-2.2 times), while the features of the potassium dynamics observed in unfertilized plots were preserved. Fertilizers contributed to the annual improvement of the potassium status of the leaves (by 0.05-0.24 % DW). The positive effect of fertilizers on the potassium content in fruits and the productivity of trees was manifested only in a year with prolonged intense precipitation (2020). The potassium content in fruits was 1.12-1.16 times higher than the control when applying N30K40, N60K80 and N90K120. A significant increase of tree productivity was found when applying N60K80 and N120K160 (by 54 and 69%, respectively).

Highlights

Over the past 30 years, global fruit production has increased dramatically
The study of the potassium regime of the cherry orchard in the soil and climatic conditions of the forest-steppe zone of the East European Plain showed that loamy Haplic Luvisol with reserves of exchangeable potassium of 156.0±12.2 mg/kg provides the potassium status of leaves within 0.52...1.04 % DW, which is below the optimal range for sour cherries
The seasonal dynamics of exchange potassium forms in the upper soil layer depended on weather conditions and the uptake of the element by plants

Summary

Introduction

Over the past 30 years, global fruit production has increased dramatically. The total volume of fruit production (excluding citrus fruits) in 1986 amounted to 387,685,120 tons, and in 2016 - 865,876,405 tons. In 2016, the volume of cherry production increased by 17.1% compared to 1986 and amounted to 1,378,216 tons. One of the factors contributing to the sustainable production of cherry fruits is the use of a balanced fertilizer system. Cherry trees uptake significant amounts of mineral elements from the soil, including potassium, which is in second place after nitrogen in terms of absorption [2]. The use of optimal doses of potash fertilizers increases the productivity of sourcherry trees [4], contributes to an increase in the size and hardness of fruits [5]. Extremely high doses of potash fertilizers can lead to adeterioration in the quality of cherry fruits [5, 7], as well as reduce the concentration of Ca, Mg and Mn in plants [8]

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Conclusion