Montana Agricultural Experiment studies suggest that adding potash fertilizer to spring wheat could boost profits. Jackson reviewed 31 experiments fertilizing spring wheat in three different years. In 22 cases, the crop responded to added potassium and in 23 casses it responded to added chlorine.
Most producers apply the two together as potash.
In years when Jackson expected a yield of under 40 bushels per acre, he added 40 pounds of potash. When he expected yields higher than 40 bushels per acre, he added 60 pounds of potash. I suspect that is because of soil availability problems with potassium and chlorine early in the growing season. The potash fertilizer can be applied broadcast or in a deep band with nitrogen, or in some cases with the seed, says Jackson. If a producer had 1,250 acres of spring wheat and expected two to three bushels per acre yield increase, it would take one bushel to purchase the potash.