Main description:

This open access book highlights concepts discussed at two international conferences that brought together world-renowned scientists to advance the science of potassium (K) recommendations for crops. There was general agreement that the potassium recommendations currently in general use are oversimplified, outdated, and jeopardize soil, plant, and human health.

Accordingly, this book puts forward a significantly expanded K cycle that more accurately depicts K inputs, losses and transformations in soils. This new cycle serves as both the conceptual basis for the scientific discussions in this book and a framework upon which to build future improvements. Previously used approaches are critically reviewed and assessed, not only for their relevance to future enhancements, but also for their use as metrics of sustainability. An initial effort is made to link K nutrition in crops and K nutrition in humans. The book offers an invaluable asset for graduate students, educators, industry scientists, data scientists, and advanced agronomists.

Contents:

Authors and topics confirmed, but exact titles not finalized

What are key issues in human and animal potassium nutrition? Michael Stone & Connie Weaver, Purdue University

What can long-term research experiments teach us about potassium management? Keith Goulding, Rothamstead Resesarch, U.K.

What conditions favor loss of bioavailable potassium and how much is lost? Marta Alfaro, National Institute of Agriculture, Chile

How do potassium inputs and outputs compare for different cropping systems and geopolitical boundaries? Kaushik Majumdar, IPNI Vice President

How and to what extent does potassium affect use efficiency of water, energy, and other nutrients? Jeff Volenec, Purdue Univ.

How and to what extent does potassium mitigate biotic and abiotic stresses on plants? Ismael Cakmak, Sabanci University, Turkey

What are the lifetimes of the various global reserves of potassium? Michael Rahm, Vice President, Mosaic Co.

How are crops impacted by the choice of potassium source? Robert Mikkelsen, IPNI Vice President

How can we improve the quantification of plant-available potassium in the soil? Sylvie Brouder, Purdue University

How can factors influencing soil potassium acquisition by crop roots be used to improve potassium rate recommendations? John Kovar, USDA, Agric. Research Service

How can recognition of multiple soil potassium pools with dissimilar access among crop species be used to improve potassium rate recommendations? Michael Bell, University of Queensland, Australia

How can resins be utilized to improve potassium rate recommendations? Heitor Cantarella, Agronomic Institute of Campinas, Brazil

How can cycling of potassium from crop and other organic residues be integrated into potassium rate recommendations? Ciro Rosolem, Sao Paulo University, Brazil

How closely is potassium mass balance related to soil test changes? Dave Franzen, North Dakota State University

How do mineralogy and soil chemistry impact how closely potassium soil test changes are related to mass balance? Michel Ransom, Kansas State University

Why and to what extent do various crops differ in their recovery efficiency of potassium? Zed Rengel, University of Western Australia

What are the genetic effects on potassium uptake and plant metabolism? Philip White, James Hutton Institute, UK

How can potassium be managed to improve the synchrony of soil supply and plant demand? Still being confirmed

What is the potassium recovery efficiency of the cropping system as a whole, considering the crops grown and when applications are made? Still being confirmed