The Importance of Feeding P & K to Soybeans

Phosphorus (P) 

If the soil Phosphorus level is low, the impact on yield can be significant.  When it comes to Phosphorus, always think “Roots Early” and “Reproduction Later“. Getting roots moving early (with “plant ready” P) is very important for crop establishment and, thus, for overall plant health.

Should environmental conditions become stressful this early, out of the gate development is especially important. The demand for Phosphorus is greatest during the Reproductive stages; pod and seed development. Soybeans remove approximately .8 lb (per bushel) of P2O5. So, for a 60 bushel/acre soybean crop, approximately 90 lbs of MAP (or 48 lbs of P2O5) would be required.

Potassium (K) 

Adequate Potassium levels are important to maximize soybean yield potential. The primary roles of Potassium are associated with movement of water, nutrients, and carbohydrates within the plant. All of these are fundamentally important for early growth and production of protein. These functions are vital for plant strength and, thus, warding off disease and insects.

Potassium is also important for a plant’s ability to efficiently absorb water and Nitrogen from the soil. The demand for Potassium is greatest during flowering through early pod development and it’s for this reason that it’s such a critical nutrient.

For more information and discussion about specific fertilizer blend formulations for Soybeans (including Sulfur and Zinc), please contact your local CaroVail location.

Click on the newsletter below for more information on the difference between Ammonium Thiosulfate and Ammonium Sulfate

CaroVail Newsletter 04272018