Potassium Depletion in Soil Threatens Global Food Security, Scientists Warn

Nutrient depletion in agricultural soil is nothing new. There have been numerous studies and concerns about the depletion of nutrient-rich topsoil and the loss of nutrients like carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, but scientists are now warning about the depletion of potassium in soil.

In a study published in the journal Nature Food, scientists highlight how poor potassium management in agricultural soil could threaten global food security in the future without corrective actions.

According to the study co-authors, about 20% of global agricultural soil is deficient in potassium. Some of the most affected areas include farms in eastern Asia, southeastern Asia, Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa.

Globally, soils face challenges from soil-nutrient mining, when more nutrients are being taken from the soil during crop harvesting than are being replenished. The study noted that there is limited, if any, soil fertilization involving potassium, which could lower crop yields.

This is already happening in India, where low potassium levels in the soil are causing decreasing crop yields, the authors reported.