ABSTRACT

Studies were undertaken in Arkansas beginning in 1990 to assess the potential value of placing fertilizer potash and lime in a vertical band. The vertical band is 2 inches in width and located at a depth between 6 to 15 inches directly under the seedling row. Test sites were selected to either test low or very low K, to have high Mg levels, or to have a deep soil with a low subsoil pH. Potash treatments consisted of deep placed and surface applied at 180 lbs potash per acre to ensure potash is adequate but not high enough to give salt bum. Some potash test sites were located on grower fields so were subjected to his overall fertility and other cultural practices. Potash treatments were replicated from 8 to 12 times. Treatments for deep placed lime consisted of 1000 lbs of lime placed deep versus a subsoiled check. The potash test results indicate no yield advantage obtained for any potash application method or rates different from the traditional recommendations. Deep placed lime gave substantial yield responses on a dry year but none on a wet year.