9/16/2022 - By Dr. Jeff Atkinson

Study:                   The Foliar Absorption of Potassium from Organic and Inorganic Potassium Carriers

Location:             Texas A&M University, College Station TX

Researcher:        Warren E. Shafer and David Wm. Reed

Source:                 Journal of Plant Nutrition, 9(2), 143-157 (1986)

Summary:           A growth-chamber study was conducted by researchers at Texas A&M University using soybean (Glycine max) to evaluate foliar uptake efficiency of various forms of foliar applied potassium.  A total of 31 organic and inorganic potassium compounds were evaluated for foliar potassium uptake efficiency and burn potential.  Of all sources tested, potassium acetate had the highest percent potassium absorption without causing leaf burn.

About Dr. Jeff Atkinson
Dr. Jeff Atkinson serves as Harrell’s Director of Agronomy for the Northern United States. In this role, Dr. Atkinson is responsible for the testing and development of proprietary products to expand Harrell’s portfolio and to provide technical support to our sales representatives and customers. Dr. Atkinson has experience in research and development across several disciplines of golf course agronomics. His work can be found in both industry and peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Atkinson has worked in the turf industry for 15 years and holds a bachelors, masters, and doctorate degree from Clemson University. His graduate research focused on the physiological effects of shade on putting green turf, herbicide efficacy and turfgrass tolerance, and biology of invasive species.