How do we maintain adequate phosphorus and potassium levels for crops?
The Oil Drum - Campfire / Gail the Actuary / 17 March 2010
How do we maintain phosphorous and potassium fertility, as rock-based supplements become in shorter supply, and fossil fuels for mining and transportation become less available? A PennState University website says:
"Most forage crops remove between 15 and 20 pounds of phosphate per ton of hay equivalent and between 45 and 60 pounds of potash per ton of hay equivalent."
One way of maintaining fertility is not to remove plant residues in the first place, unless absolutely necessary. This study talks the importance of leaving wheat crop residues in order to maintain phosphorous levels. Burning biomass residues for heat or electricity or converting biomass to biofuels seems like a step in the wrong direction.
In this post, I will talk about a few ideas I have run across regarding maintaining phosphorus and potassium levels in the soil. I would like to hear what approaches you have been using.
What happens with phosphorus and potassium in biomass combustion?