Vegetos

Abstract

Potassium is the major nutrient in soils but it varies from place to place based on physico-chemical properties of soil. Potassium exists in different inorganic forms in soil viz. water soluble, exchangeable and non-exchangeable (fixed). These fractions exist in dynamic equilibrium among them which govern the K nutrition in crops and are important for the growth of higher plants and microbes. Continuous use of organic and inorganic fertilizers largely affects the status and distribution of potassium fractions which are equally important contributors to soil fertility and crop productivity. Ongoing long-term fertilizer experiment was started in the year 1995. Amongst the different K fractions, non exchangeable K was found dominant in soil. For sustainability, organic manures like FYM are important in maintaining the nutrient management under intensive cropping system.