2-18 IAN Potassium Importance

 With crop prices continuing to rise, growers will want to do all they can to maximize 2011 production. Fortunately, there is still time to plan for 2011 in order to take advantage of this income opportunity. Providing crops with adequate and balanced nutrition is key. Because recent soil test trends and research studies indicate soils in parts of North America may be lacking sufficient potassium , growers and their fertilizer dealers will want to pay particular attention to this key nutrient. Potassium is needed to ensure plants grow strong and healthy, from seedling to mature crop.

According to the International Plant Nutrition Institute soil tests, potassium levels across the continent are continuing to decrease, and as a result, the percentage of soil in negative balance for potassium continues to rise. The Mosaic Company is one of the world's leading producers and marketers of concentrated phosphate and potash crop nutrients. Spokesperson Dee Weeda explains: “Our crops today are higher yielding than they have been and I don’t think farmers have quite made the adjustment to applying what the plants are actually removing.” Soil tests coupled with environmental factors, suggest applying potassium fertilizer may be more important than ever for optimum crop yields.