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

Author

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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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Ellie M. Andrews & Sire Kassama & Evie E. Smith & Patrick H. Brown & Sat Darshan S. Khalsa, 2021. "A Review of Potassium-Rich Crop Residues Used as Organic Matter Amendments in Tree Crop Agroecosystems," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-22, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:11:y:2021:i:7:p:580-:d:581222
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Wang, Jiale & Lali, Mohammad Naeem & Dong, Zhihao & Xiong, Huaye & Wang, Yuheng & Zhao, Li & Zhao, Jingkun & Wang, Xiaozhong & Shi, Xiaojun & Lakshmanan, Prakash & Zhang, Yueqiang, 2024. "Organic waste recycling for green and sustainable nitrogen management of fruit production systems in China," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    2. Magnolia del Carmen Tzec-Gamboa & Oscar Omar Álvarez-Rivera & Luis Ramírez y Avilés & Francisco Javier Solorio-Sánchez, 2023. "Decomposition and Nitrogen Release Rates of Foliar Litter from Single and Mixed Agroforestry Species under Field Conditions," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-16, January.
    3. Jorge Freitas & Pedro Silva, 2022. "Sustainable Agricultural Systems for Fruit Orchards: The Influence of Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria on the Soil Biodiversity and Nutrient Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-18, October.
    4. Seid Hussen Muhie, 2023. "Concepts, Principles, and Application of Biodynamic Farming: a Review," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 3(1), pages 291-304, March.

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