Effect of potassium, sulfur, boron, and molybdenum fertilization on alfalfa production and herbage macronutrient contents

Abstract

An established two‐year‐old stand of ‘Apollo’ alfalfa (Medicago saliva L.) was used to determine the alfalfa yield and macronutrient contents response to potassium (K), sulfur (S), boron (B), and molybdenum (Mo) fertilization under a high yield environment. A split, split block field design was used with nine micronutrient treatments (0, 50, and 100 g Mo ha^‐1 and 0, 1, and 2 kg B ha^‐1) in a factorial arrangement (3²) as the subplots and three K levels (150, 300, and 600 kg K ha^‐1) as the main plot in three replications. Two levels of S (0 and 240 kg S ha^‐1) fertilization were applied in strips across the main plots (K levels) resulting in the split, split block design. Alfalfa yield and macronutrient contests were determined. Increased in K or S rate increased K contents of the plants, however, the differences between the K or S rates were not significant and B or Mo application did not have a marked effect on alfalfa K levels. Alfalfa calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), or phosphorus (P) content was not significantly affected by K, S, B, or Mo fertilization. Potassium, S, B, or Mo fertilizer application also did not have a marked effect on alfalfa yield during this study. Combinations of K, S, B, and Mo fertilizer had variable effects and the effects were dependent on the combination of fertilizer, sources, and levels. With a few exceptions, there was lack of alfalfa yield and nutrient contents response to K, S, B, and Mo applications which was due to the effect of low available soil moisture as a result of low incident rainfall during the study on these nutrients availability, uptake, and alfalfa growth.