TY - JOUR AU - South, David B. PY - 2019/12/31 Y2 - 2024/03/28 TI - Potassium fertilization in bareroot nurseries in the southern US: a review JF - REFORESTA JA - REFOR VL - IS - 8 SE - Review articles DO - 10.21750/REFOR.8.03.73 UR - https://journal.reforestationchallenges.org/index.php/REFOR/article/view/114 SP - 25-59 AB - <p>This review covers most of the published literature on potassium (K) fertilization in bareroot seedbeds with the intent to concentrate on the southern United States. The timing and rates of K fertilization for bareroot seedlings are often based on logic and myths and, as a result, K recommendations vary considerably. Some recommend bareroot pine seedlings be fertilized with twice as much K as nitrogen (N) while others apply less than 100 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>. It was determined that several long-held claims about K fertilization are invalid. Nursery seedbeds do not need to contain four times as much available K as N and the belief that extra K fertilization will increase freeze tolerance or drought resistance of non-deficient seedlings is invalid. There are no data to support the claim that K fertilization increases root growth or assists in the formation of terminal buds. For sandy seedbeds, there is no need to apply K before sowing. Adding extra K during the fall does not increase seedling morphology or seedling performance when loblolly pine seedlings, at lifting, have more than 0.5% K in needles. A reduction of K fertilization can be achieved by reviewing foliar tests prior to K top-dressings.</p> ER -