Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) yield and disease incidence with potassium fertilization

Abstract
Six cultivars and three lines of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) were planted at two locations in Delaware in 1974 and 1975. Potassium fertilizer (KCl) at 0, 56, or 223 kg/ha actual K was added to the soil and the plants were evaluated for seed yield and incidence of gray‐moldy and purple‐stained seed. Potassium application was related to a decrease in yield in one year at one location but had no significant effect in the other year or at the other location. Cultivars differed in yield over the two years, with Kent, Cutler 71, and York having the most consistent yield in this study. The pathogen incidence was not affected by potassium application in contrast to earlier studies with soybeans grown in aluminum cylinders with a partially restricted soil volume. In this study, gray‐moldy and purple‐stain was highest in short season cultivars and higher at Georgetown than at Newark. Use of soybean cultivars resistant to diseases as well as maintaining adequate soil potassium levels should reduce high levels of disease.

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