A Review of Potassium-Rich Crop Residues Used as Organic Matter Amendments in Tree Crop Agroecosystems

Ellie M. Andrews, Sire Kassama, Evie E. Smith, Patrick H. Brown and Sat Darshan S. Khalsa
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Ellie M. Andrews: Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Sire Kassama: Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Evie E. Smith: Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Patrick H. Brown: Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Sat Darshan S. Khalsa: Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA

Agriculture, 2021, vol. 11, issue 7, 1-22

Abstract: Ecosystem-based approaches to nutrient management are needed to satisfy crop nutrient requirements while minimizing environmental impacts of fertilizer use. Applying crop residues as soil amendments can provide essential crop nutrient inputs from organic sources while improving nutrient retention, soil health, water conservation, and crop performance. Tree crop hulls, husks, and shells have been found to contain high concentrations of potassium across species including almond, cacao, coffee, pecan, and hazelnut. The objective of this review is to characterize organic sources of potassium focusing on lignocellulosic pericarps and discuss reported effects of surface application on potassium cycling, water dynamics, soil functionality, and crop yield. Research indicates potassium ions solubilize readily from plant material into soil solution due to potassium’s high mobility as a predominately unbound monatomic cation in plant tissues. Studies evaluating tree crop nutshells, field crop residues, and forest ecosystem litter layers indicate this process of potassium release is driven primarily by water and is not strongly limited by decomposition. Research suggests orchard floor management practices can be tailored to maximize the soil and plant benefits provided by this practice. Contextual factors influencing practice adoption and areas for future study are discussed.

Keywords: potassium; soil fertility; water; nutrients; organic matter amendments; yield; tree crops; soil health; agroecosystem management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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