EFFECTS OF APPLICATIONS OF SODIUM IN FERTILIZER ON YIELDS AND COMPOSITION OF THE COTTON PLANT

Abstract

It is suggested that one of the primary functions of K, Na or other alkali metal nutrients may be related to the relatively high solubility of the carbonates of these metals. Some recent expts. showing response of the cotton plant to inclusion of Na in the fertilizer have been considered in relation to increases in yields, chemical composition of mature plants, and probable nutritional functions of K, Na, and other alkali metals. The yield data indicated that with relatively high potash fertilization, little or no increase in yield would expected from inclusion of Na in the fertilizer. Slight increase in yields from inclusion of Na in the fertilizer at all rates of potash fertilization suggests that Na may have some specific function in the growth of the cotton plant. Inclusion of Na in the fertilizer significantly increased the Na content of the plant at all rates of potash fertilization. It had very little influence on the K content of the plant. There was a reciprocal relationship between the Na and Ca in the plant.