Response of wheat (Triticum aestivum), potato (Solanum tuberosum) and Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) to varying particle size of potassium applied through muriate of potash

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the winter season of 1996-97 and 1997-98 to study effect of particle size of muriate or potash (MOP) on yield of wheat (Titicum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.), potato (Solanum tubersoum L.) and Indian mustard [Brassca juncea (L.) Czernj. & Casson] and potassium (K) uptake by the, on sandy-loam Typic Ustochrept soil of Modipuram. The treatments in each crop comprised 5 muriate of potash materials or varying particle size. ie 95. 90, 8.5. 80 or 75% materials. retaining on 0.25 mm IS sieve. coded as A, B. C. 0 and A and a noK control during J 996-97. In the second year. 2 other muriate of potash muterials. ie 70 and 65% muriate of potash retaining on 0.25 mm IS sieve, coded as F and G were included. All the crops responded significantly to K application during both the years, but the magnitude of yield increase varied according to particle size of muriate of potash. Fertilizer muriate of pol ash having largest particle size (MOP-A) showed invariably low yield response complared with the control in different crops. On the other hand. wheat yields with MPO-B, C. 0, E and F during 1996-97, potato yield with MPO-C, D and E during 1996-97 and with MOP-C. D, E and F during 1997-98, and Indian mustard yields with MOPE during 1996-97 were significantly greater than those obtained with MOP-A application. Fineness of the muriate of potash had positive correlation with yield and total K uptake. Laboratory study on horizontal displacement (drift) of different muriate of potash materials revealed an increase in displacement with increasing fineness of the material, indicating the possiblity of greater losses due to drift during the application of muriate of potash of finer particle size.