Prospects and Concerns on Potassium Fertilization and Use efficiency in Rice-based Cropping system: A Review

Abstract

Potassium (K) is one of three primary essential nutrients needed by plants for healthy growth. It is estimated that the uptake of K in rice is more than that of nitrogen (N). There is a growing evidence of increasing deficiency of K because of imbalanced use of N or N and phosphorus (P). Even under optimum rates of NPK application in long-term experiments, K-balance under most of the rice-based cropping systems has been negative. Hence, balanced fertilization of all nutrients is required to increase the K use efficiency (KUE) and also to achieve optimum yields. KUE can be enhanced by application of fertilizer at proper time, ensuring the right method by using the best product along with combined use of other nutrients through integrated nutrient management, site specific potassium management (SSKM) and soil test crop response correction. Improved KUE will increase farm profitability by reducing losses through leaching, luxury consumption, run off and sediments. Therefore, the strategies which involve balanced and K fertilizers should be adopted.