When is the best time to apply potassium fertilizer to rice? How many stages are there for topdressing in the later growth stages?
Release Date:
2021-07-24
Rice has a relatively high demand for potassium fertilizer. Its primary functions include enhancing photosynthesis, improving stress tolerance, strengthening the root system, and promoting nitrogen uptake, making it an essential nutrient in rice cultivation. So, when is the best time to apply potassium fertilizer to rice? And how should topdressing be divided into stages during the later growth period?
Rice has a relatively high demand for potassium fertilizer. Its primary functions include enhancing photosynthesis, improving stress tolerance, strengthening the root system, and promoting nitrogen uptake, making it an essential nutrient in rice cultivation. So, when is the best time to apply potassium fertilizer to rice? And how should topdressing be divided into stages during the later growth period?
When is the best time to apply potassium fertilizer to rice?
Potassium fertilizer is typically applied during the base‑fertilization stage in combination with nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, at a N‑P‑K ratio of 10:5:12—that is, 10 jin of nitrogen fertilizer, 5 jin of phosphorus fertilizer, and 12 jin of potassium fertilizer.
You can incorporate fertilizer deeply into the soil. Alternatively, if conditions permit, you can apply wood ash to the field separately to replenish potassium; wood ash not only disinfects and kills pathogens but also provides an excellent source of potassium, making it a valuable resource.
Topdressing is carried out in several stages.
Topdressing is mainly carried out in two stages.
One is carried out during the tillering stage after field drying, with the primary goal of promoting root development and enhancing drought resistance.
One is carried out during the booting stage, which can effectively increase the seed-setting rate and yield, while also strengthening stem strength and enhancing lodging resistance.
These two periods represent the times when rice has the greatest demand for potassium fertilizer, making them the most critical phases for potassium supplementation.
For those who have the means, you can also apply a potassium fertilizer once during spikelet differentiation; this will further promote the development of young spikes and ultimately help increase yield.
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