#43: The Potassium Paradox with Dr. S.A. Khan at University of Illinois

If you’ve ever questioned whether your K applications are delivering ROI, this episode is a must-listen. Join Sean Nettleton and Dr. S.A. Khan from the University of Illinois to discuss the eye-opening research behind the Potassium Paradox. Dr. Kahn unpacks decades of soil science and long-term field data, challenging the conventional wisdom around potassium (K) fertilization. Dr. Khan explains why most Midwestern soils already contain more than enough potassium to support crop production and why typical soil tests often fail to accurately represent the true soil availability. For full context and to follow Dr. Khan’s slides, we highly recommend watching the episode on our YouTube channel.Topics Covered:The science behind exchangeable vs. non-exchangeable potassiumHow soil moisture and weather cycles impact soil test valuesWhy overapplying K can hurt calcium, magnesium, and even your soil’s structureResults from over 2,000 response trials across North AmericaPractical, cost-saving fertility recommendations Don’t miss this deep dive into one of the most misunderstood nutrients in agronomy.