Abstract
Initial studies showed that rachis K was highly related to the palm K while innae K shoed poor relationship. Sampling of various fronds showed that the region of least variation in rachis K was between fronds 12 to 28, middle section of the fron was more suitable for sampling as there was higher variation at the extremities. Regression analysis of four selected trials gave better relationship between rachis K and fertilizer K applied FFB yield on rachis K was significant for the Rengam and Sogomana soil series. There was no significant regression of yield on rachis K on the coastal clay soil as there was no yield response to K. This was confirmed by the high rachis K.Regression of FFB yield on pinnae K was not significant for all soil series. The critical rachis K for the rengam and Sogomana soil series was about 1.3% K. Yields started to decline markendly below 1.0% K but remained fairly steady between 1.3 to 1.6% K. Rachis K was more sensitive to fertilisr inputs than pinnae K. The range of rachis K was between 0.2% K for pinnae K ranged from 0.6% to 1.2% K. The coefficient of treatment plots of about 20% was acceptable, when compared to 15% reported for commercial leaf K analysis. As rachis K is part of a larger pool of reserve K in the palm, it is expected to fluctuate relatively less than pinnae K.15 ref.Initial studies showed that rachis K was highly related to the palm K while innae K shoed poor relationship. Sampling of various fronds showed that the region of least variation in rachis K was between fronds 12 to 28, middle section of the fron was more suitable for sampling as there was higher variation at the extremities. Regression analysis of four selected trials gave better relationship between rachis K and fertilizer K applied FFB yield on rachis K was significant for the Rengam and Sogomana soil series. There was no significant regression of yield on rachis K on the coastal clay soil as there was no yield response to K. This was confirmed by the high rachis K.Regression of FFB yield on pinnae K was not significant for all soil series. The critical rachis K for the rengam and Sogomana soil series was about 1.3% K. Yields started to decline markendly below 1.0% K but remained fairly steady between 1.3 to 1.6% K. Rachis K was more sensitive to fertilisr inputs than pinnae K. The range of rachis K was between 0.2% K for pinnae K ranged from 0.6% to 1.2% K. The coefficient of treatment plots of about 20% was acceptable, when compared to 15% reported for commercial leaf K analysis. As rachis K is part of a larger pool of reserve K in the palm, it is expected to fluctuate relatively less than pinnae K.