Effect of Soil Conditioners with and without N P K Fertilizers on the Utilization of Soil Potassium

An effort was made to increase crop production from upland soils, leached and sandy in texture, by applying soil conditioners along with N, P and K fertilizers. Effect of potassium on crop production has been described. Potassium increased the yields of groundnut in the first year but not in the second year. Under the influence of soil conditioners, viz., celax, spent hop and F. Y. M., potassium increased the yield of maize but not with bentonite and when maize followed a grass crop. Manuring of hybrid maize with N, P and K and their combinations appreciably increased the growth and yields of maize and so the utilization of the non-exchangeable K in the soil to the tune of 175–250 kg/ha/2 years in maize-safflower sequence. Phosphate manuring of groundnut helped in the utilization of non-exchangeable K from the soil to a limited extent (80–90 kg/ha/2 years) in groundnut-safflower sequence. Potash manuring increased oil content both in groundnut and safflower.