DIFFERENTIAL TRANSLOCATION OF 59IRON IN IRON SUFFICIENT AND DEFICIENT SORGHUM PLANTS

Radioactively labeled iron (⁵⁹Fe) was used to study differential uptake in sorghum plants in the recovery stage of chlorosis. Radio-labeled ⁵⁹Fe was supplied through root feeding in nutrient solution experiment (48 hrs, pH 6.2) to non-chlorotic and chlorotic plants. Chlorotic plants were further treated with foliar spray [ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄), FeSO₄ + thiourea (TU), FeSO₄ + citric acid (CA), FeSO₄ + thioglycollic acid (TGA)] to study the uptake of radio-labeled ⁵⁹Fe through root feeding during recovery process of chlorosis. Under iron deficiency, the differential uptake of ⁵⁹Fe was markedly increased in leaves and stem of chlorotic control (-Fe) sorghum plants as compared to non-chlorotic control (+Fe) and foliar sprayed (FeSO₄, FeSO₄ + TU, FeSO₄ + CA, and FeSO₄ + TGA) plants. The lowest uptake of ⁵⁹Fe was observed in younger leaves (24.33 nmol, g^?1 fresh weight h^?1) and stem (1.98 nmol, g^?1 fresh weight h^?1) of non-chlorotic control followed by foliar sprayed plants in comparison to chlorotic control, respectively. Similarly less ⁵⁹Fe uptake was observed in the older leaves of FeSO₄ + CA sprayed (21.70 nmol, g^?1 fresh weight h^?1) plants in comparison to chlorotic control (35.60 nmol, g^?1 fresh weight h^?1). The highest differential ⁵⁹Fe uptake through nutrient medium was in the roots of plants, which were foliar sprayed with FeSO₄ along with TU. The role of iron alone and along with citric acid and thiol compounds is discussed in recovery of chlorosis.     

非标记定量蛋白质组学分析冻结方式对中华管鞭虾肌肉差异蛋白质的影响

为了探究冻结方式对中华管鞭虾(Solenocera melantho)肌肉差异蛋白质的影响,本试验运用非标记(label-free)定量蛋白质组学技术,研究液体浸渍冻结、真空包装结合浸渍冻结、静止空气冻结、真空包装结合空气冻结4种方式对中华管鞭虾差异蛋白表达的影响。结果表明,与新鲜中华管鞭虾相比,上述4种冻结方式处理后的虾肌肉中分别有269、162、299、289个差异蛋白,其中表达上调的蛋白分别有100、59、63、61个,表达下调的蛋白分别有169、103、236、228个。筛选出甘油-3-磷酸脱氢酶(NAD⁺)、β-胸腺素2个差异蛋白,有望成为与冻结中华管鞭虾品质变化相关的指示蛋白标志物。本研究为深入了解中华管鞭虾在不同冻结方式下的品质变化机制,以及寻找出与新鲜度相关的指示蛋白提供了理论依据,也为虾的冻结工艺技术提供了参考。     

Electrochemical and spectroscopic studies of the oxidation mechanism of the herbicide propanil

Electrochemical oxidation of propanil in deuterated solutions was studied by cyclic, differential pulse, and square wave voltammetry using a glassy carbon microelectrode. The oxidation of propanil in deuterated acid solutions occurs at the nitrogen atom of the amide at a potential of +1.15 V vs Ag/AgCl. It was also found that, under the experimental conditions used, protonation at the oxygen atom of propanil occurs, leading to the appearance of another species in solution which oxidizes at +0.60 V. The anodic peak found at +0.79 V vs Ag/AgCl in deuterated basic solutions is related to the presence of an anionic species in which a negative charge is on the nitrogen atom. The electrochemical data were confirmed by the identification of all the species formed in acidic and basic deuterated solutions by means of NMR spectroscopy. The results are supported by electrochemical and spectroscopic studies of acetanilide in deuterated solutions.     

Copper Adsorption by Soils and its Relations with Plant Growth

Copper adsorption studies were conducted with 13 neutral to calcareous-alkaline soils. The data followed a Langmuir isotherm with two linear parts at low (part 1) and high (part 2) concentration of Cu in equilibrium solution. The ?pCu + 2pOH’? values show that part 1 and 2 stem largely from adsorption and precipitation reactions of Cu, respectively. The bonding energy and differential buffering capacity were significantly higher for part 1 while adsorption maximum and supply parameter were significantly higher for part 2 of the isotherms. Carbonate content, soil pH, organic matter, CEC and clay content were in that oder the predominant factors in elevating adsorption maximum, bonding energy coefficient and differential buffering capacity as well as decreasing supply parameter of soils. However, soil organic matter was the major determinant of strength of Cu adsorption. Copper potentials, adsorption maximum and differential buffering capacity were significantly correlated with dry matter production and Cu uptake in maize. The parameters of intensity factor predicted better the variation in yield and Cu uptake than the conventional soil test methods.     

Growth and Nutrient Composition of Sugarcane Genotypes Subjected to Salinity and Drought Stresses

Drought and salinity individually or in combination adversely affects growth, development, and yield of sugarcane. Apart from physiological traits, nutrients status was studied in six commercial hybrids subjected to drought, salinity, and salinity + drought. Drought was simulated by withholding irrigation in the field, while salinity and salinity + drought were imposed in microplots. Physiological traits, viz, chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll (SPAD) index, biomass production, and leaf area index, reduced drastically in combined stress as against individual stress treatments. Among major nutrients, phosphorus (P) reduced significantly in all the stress treatments. Similarly, iron (Fe) and Zinc (Zn) reduced due to stress and showed differential response for growth stages. Reduction in cane yield and sucrose percentage in stress conditions warrants supplementation of P, Fe, and Zn.     

Elemental and/or cation ratio efficiency of corn hybrids grown on an infertile soil inadequate in magnesium

Abstract

Magnesium deficiency in corn (Zea mays L.) is often attributed to the low levels of Mg in soils. This study was conducted to determine elemental and/or cation balance efficiency of corn hybrids grown on a soil low in available Mg, Among the 15 hybrids tested, no differential efficiency in ear leaf concentration of P was found at two planting dates. Leaf concentrations of Zn and Fe were influenced by planting date for all hybrids but interactions between hybrids and planting date were found only for K, Ca, Mg concentrations and the sum of the Meq Ca + Mg/100 g, the Meq K + Ca + Mg/100 g, and the K/Ca and K/Ca + Mg ratios. Planting dates did not Influence the K/Mg ratio among hybrids. Large differences in efficiency of K, Ca, and Mg were found but these cations were found to have large Interactions. Data show that Ca and Mg efficient hybrids are less efficient in K than Ca and Mg inefficient hybrids. It should be possible to breed corn hybrids for better cation balance efficiency for use on infertile soils low in avallable Mg.     

苗期低温胁迫对“红颜”草莓叶绿素含量及冠层高光谱的影响

2020年9月−2021年1月以“红颜”（Fragaria×ananassa Duch “Benihope”）草莓为试材，在南京信息工程大学开展低温环境控制试验。设置21℃（日最高气温）/11℃（日最低气温）、18℃/8℃、15℃/5℃和12℃/2℃共4个低温处理，持续时间设置3d、6d、9d、12d共4个水平，以25℃/15℃为对照（CK）。测定草莓叶片叶绿素含量以及冠层高光谱反射率，研究低温胁迫对草莓叶绿素含量及冠层反射光谱的影响，筛选出叶绿素含量估算模型的敏感波段与特征参数。结果表明：（1）同一低温条件下，草莓叶片叶绿素a、叶绿素b和总叶绿素(a+b)等参数随着胁迫天数的延长而减少；同一胁迫天数下，温度越低其含量越低，即低温胁迫程度越大叶绿素含量下降幅度也越大。（2）不同温度同一胁迫天数处理草莓苗期冠层光谱反射率变化规律大致相同。在可见光区域草莓冠层反射光谱曲线均存在绿峰和红谷，在近红外反射平台随着温度降低，光谱反射率数值逐渐增大，即反射平台逐渐增高。（3）草莓冠层一阶微分光谱曲线变化较剧烈，有明显波峰和波谷，在红边范围内偶有双峰现象。随着低温胁迫程度的加深，一阶微分光谱最高峰的值越高，草莓冠层光谱的近红外反射率升高，红边位置蓝移，之后该峰值逐渐降低，红边位置红移。（4）草莓叶绿素(a+b)含量与冠层原始光谱反射率的相关系数均呈负相关，与原始光谱的近红外波段反射率的相关性明显高于可见光波段。叶绿素(a+b)含量与原始光谱反射率相关性较好，均达到显著水平，其中737nm波段相关系数达到最大，因此可以用其作为敏感波段对叶绿素含量进行预测。叶绿素(a+b)含量与植被指数中的DVI、MSAVI、PVI、RDVI、SAVI和TSAVI的相关性达极显著水平，可以选其作为特征参数对叶绿素含量进行预测。     

Aluminium Induced Magnesium Deficiency in Oats

It was the objective to study the effect of Al on Mg uptake by plants, precluding as far as possible the effect of Al on root growth. Oat plants were grown in a complete standard nutrient solution without any differential treatment, in order to obtain a set of plants which did not differ in the size, the morphology and the physiology of the root system. After the first harvest at the beginning of the stem elongation stage 4 different treatments were introduced: pH 5.5-6.0, pH 5.5-6.0 without Mg, pH 3.8-4.1, pH 3.8-4.1 + 0.3 mmole Al/l. Apart from these variations the composition of the nutrient solution remained unaltered. After another 10 days 2 vessels of each treatment were harvested. The final harvest was 14 days after the beginning of the differential treatments. The growth (in terms of dry matter yield) of neither the shoots nor the roots was adversely affected by the differential treatments, although the plants in the Al and Mg₀ treatments showed distinct symptoms of nutritional disorder. The plants in the low and the high pH treatments differed neither in Mg uptakte nor in Mg concentration in the plants. However, the addition of Al to the nutrient solution reduced Mg uptake in the shoots to about 30% of that in the Al₀ treatments, while there was a net loss of Mg in the roots in spite of the fact that dry matter increased. This means that net uptake of Mg was less than was translocated to the shoot during the period of differential treatments. With no Al in the nutrient solution the Mg concentration in the shoots declined by 3–8% between the first and the final harvest, whereas it increased by 22–35% in the roots. If, however, Al was added to the nutrient solution the Mg concentration dropped by 46% in the shoots and 70% in the roots. With the exception of Ca in the roots, the differential treatments had no effect on the uptake and concentration of Ca, K and P in the plants. In terms of dry matter the differential treatments did not influence root growth and it was concluded that Al had a direct effect on Mg uptake by either inactivating or competing for uptake sites or carriers.     

基于高光谱的夏玉米冠层SPAD值监测研究

开展夏玉米冠层SPAD值监测技术研究,建立叶绿素含量与敏感波段、光谱指数间的定量关系模型,以促进高光谱技术在玉米快速、无损长势监测及水肥精准管理的应用。以小型蒸渗仪夏玉米光谱反射率与植株冠层SPAD值的监测为基础,研究了夏玉米植株冠层光谱信息与SPAD值的响应关系,并优选出监测夏玉米冠层SPAD值的敏感波段与最优光谱指数。结果表明:夏玉米冠层光谱反射率在可见光波段随玉米冠层SPAD值增加而下降,在近红外波段却与之相反;采用原始光谱反射率、一阶微分光谱监测夏玉米冠层SPAD值的最敏感波段分别为700,690nm,与SPAD值的相关性分别为-0.498(p<0.05)和-0.538(p<0.01);而根据多元逐步回归分析获得的最优波段组合由405,408,700nm波段构成;从已报道的73个光谱指数中筛选出与夏玉米冠层SPAD值相关性较高的(SDr-SDb)/(SDr+SDb)、MCARI∥OSAVI、TCARI/OSAVI、SDr/SDb和MTCI等5个光谱指数,光谱指数(SDr-SDb)/(SDr+SDb)与SPAD值的相关性在各生育期均达极显著正相关,且在全生育期相关系数高达0.697(p<0.01),进一步优选出监测夏玉米冠层SPAD值最适宜的光谱指数为(SDr-SDb)/(SDr+SDb);在基于敏感波段、光谱指数和最优波段组合建立的夏玉米SPAD值的回归模型中,按照模拟效果由高到低排序依次为最优波段组合、光谱指数、原始光谱反射率、一阶微分光谱,其决定系数分别为0.777,0.539,0.351,0.282;推荐以(SDr-SDb)/(SDr+SDb)指数构建的二次多项式模型与基于405,408,700nm波段组合建立的线性回归监测模型作为夏玉米植株冠层SPAD值光谱监测适宜模型,且R2大于0.539,RMSE及MAE分别小于6.194和4.702。     

基于地理加权回归模型的博斯腾湖湖滨绿洲土壤盐分离子含量高光谱估算

以博斯腾湖湖滨绿洲为研究区,分析HCO_3~–、Cl~–、SO_4~(2–)、Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)、Na~++K~+等主要土壤盐分离子含量与土壤高光谱反射率的分数阶微分光谱变换与RSI、DSI、NDSI等二维土壤指数的相关性优选特征波段,构建基于地理加权回归模型的土壤盐分离子含量估算模型。研究结果表明:Na~++K~+的微分变换特征波段集中在468～724 nm与1 182～1 539 nm,二维土壤指数的特征波段集中在1 742～2 395 nm,基于RSI的特征波段优选下地理加权回归模型对Na~++K~+含量的估算效果较好,建模集R~2=0.94,RMSE=0.22,验证集R~2=0.74,RMSE=0.19;SO_4~(2–)含量在1.2阶优选的位于469～636 nm波段估算效果较佳,建模集R~2=0.91,RMSE=0.02,验证集R~2=0.75,RMSE=0.33;Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)优选的特征波段主要集中在912～2 340 nm的近红外波段;Cl~–含量在1阶的近红外波段建模效果较好,建模集R~2=0.74,RMSE=0.03,验证集R~2=0.93,RMSE=0.11;含量相对较高的Na~++K~+、SO_4~(2–)、Cl~–的地理加权回归模型精度高于含量较低的Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)。     

Effect of proteolytic squid protein hydrolysate on the state of water and dehydration-induced denaturation of lizard fish myofibrillar protein

With the goal of preparing low-cost functional food, squid protein hydrolysate (SPH) was extracted from four squid species by protease treatment. Peptides are the major components (approximately 84-88%) of the SPH. The stabilization effects of 5% SPH (dried weight/wet weight) on the state of water and the denaturation of frozen lizard fish Saurida wanieso myofibrillar protein (Mf) were evaluated on the basis of desorption isotherm curves with respect to Ca2+-ATPase inactivation and the presence of unfrozen water, which was determined using differential scanning calorimetry during dehydration, and the effects were compared with those of sodium glutamate. The Mf with SPH was found to contain higher levels of monolayer and multilayer sorption water, resulting in decreased water activity and Ca2+-ATPase inactivation. The amount of unfrozen water in Mf with SPH increased significantly, suggesting that the peptides of SPH stabilized water molecules on the hydration sphere of Mf, which maintained the structural stability of Mf, and therefore suppressed dehydration-induced denaturation. The effect by SPH was less than that by sodium glutamate.     

热塑性包膜尿素微观结构特征及养分释放机理研究

采用扫描电镜、水中溶出法、饱和盐溶液蒸汽压法和土壤培养法,探讨了热塑性包膜尿素微观结构特性及养分释放机理。结果表明,热塑性包膜尿素膜表面光滑,膜上存在纤维状孔隙,膜厚度53.8～65.2 μm。氮素释放速率随温度的升高而增大,在25、30、40、50、60℃水中,尿素累积释放80％的时间分别为96、80、12、8、4 d。在不同培养温度条件下,氮素释放率与时间的关系可用一级动力学方程:Nt=No(1-e-kt)、Elovich方程:Nt=a+blnt和抛物线方程:Nt=a+bt0.5表征;在25和40℃时,以一级动力学方程拟合效果最好。包膜尿素的氮素释放率随着水蒸气压差的增大而增加,并且随水分含量降低而降低。定量描述氮素养分释放的动力学方程中,以一级动力学方程更具有实效性。包膜控释肥料膜内外水蒸气压差是控制养分释放的主要因素。     

HJ-1A高光谱影像的表层土壤游离氧化铁含量反演

实时监测土壤游离氧化铁含量对于获取区域土壤理化特征数据、监测区域土壤环境具有重要意义。该试验基于HJ-1A 高光谱遥感影像，结合研究区土壤采样的游离氧化铁含量化验数据，分析遥感影像的反射率与土壤游离氧化铁含量的相关性，建立土壤游离氧化铁含量的多元线性反演模型，反演研究区表层土壤游离氧化铁含量。研究结果表明，HJ-1A高光谱遥感影像的反射率与研究区土壤游离氧化铁含量呈负相关性，且在第104波段达到峰值，相关系数为-0.455；利用反射率指数变换建立的反演模型Y=34.11-0.079X23+0.151X72-0.072X79-0.017X90，模型的决定系数为0.837，均方根误差为1.59 g/kg；土壤中有机质对游离氧化铁含量反演精度影响的检验结果显示，研究区土壤的有机质对游离氧化铁含量的反演精度无显著影响。该试验为土壤游离氧化铁的光谱分析提供借鉴，为区域土壤生态环境监测提供数据支持。     

Improvement of the nitrogen uptake induced by titanium (iv) leaf supply in nitrogen‐stressed pepper seedlings

The beneficial effect of titanium (Ti) on plant metabolism can result in more profitable use of fertilizer applied to a crop. A crop chamber experiment with paprika pepper (Capsicum annuum L., cv. Bunejo) seedlings under differential nitrogen (N) concentration levels in a nutrient solution (100% N, 75% N, 50% N, and 25% N) was performed. A third of the seedlings growing under each N support level remained Ti‐untreated and were used as the reference. Another third of the seedling received one and two 0.042 mM Ti(TV) ascorbate, pH 6.0, leaf spray treatments, respectively. The biomass production of the Ti‐untreated plants was only affected by the N supply of 50% or less. The Ti(IV) leaf spray treatments produced a biomass production greater than that of the corresponding reference plants, and both the 100% N+Ti and 75% N+Ti treatments had the highest biomass production. Seedlings receiving 50% N+Ti had a level of biomass production similar to that for the 100% N without Ti reference plants. In the same way, the 25% N+Ti treatment resulted in a plant fresh weight greater than that for the Ti‐untreated reference plants, although their biomass yields were not significantly lower than that for the corresponding 100% N and 75% N Ti‐untreated reference plants. Only the 50% N and 25% N Ti‐untreated plants had definite total‐N and nitrate‐nitrogen (NO₃‐N) unbalances as compared to the other N rate‐Ti treatments.     

Modelling Multi-Ion Transport in Saturated Soil and Parameter Estimation. I: Theory

A coupled convective-dispersive model was developed to describe the solute movement of four ionic species (Ca²⁺, Na⁺, SC₄² and CI) through soil. The model considers precipitation and dissolution of calcium sulfate as well as cation exchange or adsorption during steady-state water flow in saturated soil columns. With the model hypothetical miscible displacement experiments were carried out. The governing partial differential equations were solved numerically with an implicit Crank-Nicolson scheme. With the use of obtained results the effect of various model parameters on the shape of the calculated breakthrough curves was investigated. It was found that the processes of dissolution and precipitation, cation exchange or adsorption do have a definite influence on the shape of the breakthrough curves.     

地理加权回归模型结合高光谱反演盐生植物叶片盐离子含量

快速、无损地估算盐生植物叶片盐离子含量在植物生长监测、耐盐植物筛选和土壤盐渍化监测等方面有实用价值。该研究以新疆艾比湖保护区内盐生植物为研究对象,通过分析植物叶片盐离子(K~+、Na~+、Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+))含量与冠层高光谱数据的光谱变换和二维植被指数(比值型植被指数(ratiovegetationindex,RVI)、差值型植被指数(difference vegetation index,DVI)、归一化型植被指数(normalized difference vegetation index,NDVI))的相关性选取特征波段,构建基于地理加权回归模型(geographically weighted regression,GWR)的叶片盐离子含量估算模型,并与BP神经网络模型(back propagation neural network)进行对比,研究基于GWR模型估算干旱区盐生植物叶片盐离子的可行性。结果表明,选取特征波段集中表现在红及短波红外波段:K~+含量在反射率倒数的对数选取的红光区域内波段使用GWR估算效果最佳;Na~+的特征波段在光谱变换下集中于短波红外区域,二维植被指数集中在近红外、短波近红外及黄、橙、红区域,各种波段选取下GWR对Na~+的含量估算均有较好效果,但反射率对数的一阶估算效果最好;Ca~(2+)含量在反射率平方根的一阶微分下选取的短波红外波段通过GWR模型估算效果最好;Mg~(2+)含量在DVI选取的位于红光区域特征波段估算效果最佳,但使用GWR模型对Mg~(2+)的估算精度不及BP模型。分析基于GWR盐离子模型估算模型发现,含量较高的离子估算效果更好,K~+、Na~+的模型精度优于Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)。在使用GWR模型估算植物叶片盐离子含量时,特征波段均指向红及短波红外波段,符合植被光谱机理的响应。     

Comparative growth and physiological responses of two wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars differing in salt tolerance to salinity and cyclic drought stress

Two cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with differential salinity tolerance were compared by evaluating the growth attributes, pigment composition and accumulation of Na⁺, K⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe ²⁺, Mn ²⁺ and proline. Wheat cultivars Al-Moiaya (AM) (salt tolerant) and Habbe-Druma (HD) (salt sensitive) were subjected to four levels of salinity (1.21 dS m^?1, 4.4 dS m^?1, 8.8 dS m^?1 and 13.2 dS m^?1) in factorial combinations with three drought stress (FC 30%, FC 60% and FC 90%) treatments in a randomized complete block design. Plant dry weight, leaf area ratio (LAR), soluble protein and total chlorophyll (Chl) content were higher in AM than HD. Salt-tolerant AM maintains a higher K⁺/ Na⁺ ratio and thereby is able to grow better than the salt-sensitive HD under both the stresses. The lower foliar Na⁺ in AM resulted in retention of higher Chl content, reflected in the strong positive correlations between plant ion status and Chl contents (Na⁺-Chl r² = 0.83; Chl- Fe²⁺ r² = 0.76; Zn²⁺ r² = 0.93 and Mn²⁺ r² = 0.88). In conclusion, our results suggested that the K⁺/Na⁺ ratio, exclusion of Na⁺ and ion homeostasis play much more important roles in the tolerance to salinity and drought stress than the compatible osmolyte, proline.     

Synthesis and phytotoxic activity of ozonides

The [4 + 3] cycloaddition of the proper furans with the oxyallyl cation, generated in situ from 2,4-dibromopentan-3-one, produced a series of 8-oxabicyclo [3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-ones. Exposure of the oxabicycles to ozone afforded the corresponding 8,9,10,11-tetraoxatricyclo[5.2.1.1 (2,6)]undecan-4-ones in variable yields (7-100%). The phytotoxic properties of these ozonides (or 1,2,4-trioxolanes) and their oxabicycle precursors were evaluated as the ability to interfere with the growth of Sorghum bicolor and Cucumis sativus seedlings. Among oxabicycles, the highest inhibitory activity was shown by compounds possessing a alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl moiety. A differential sensitivity of the two crops was evident with ozonides. The most active compounds were also tested against the weed species Ipomoea grandifolia and Brachiaria decumbens. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first article describing ozonides as potential herbicides.     

POTASSIUM RESERVES IN A SANDY CLAY SOIL FROM THE SAXMUNDHAM EXPERIMENT: KINETICS AND EQUILIBRIUM THERMODYNAMICS

Potassium-calcium exchange equilibria in, and the kinetics of K release from, soil from the Nil and PK treatments of the Saxmundham Experiment, Rotation 1, and the Ga, Ca + K and K saturated panicle size fractions of the soils were investigated. The free energy and enthalpy ot exchange showed K preference in all the solids. Selectivity for K decreased with increasing particle size and pre-treatment with K salts. A comparison of the ‘differential enthalpy of exchange: per cent K saturation’ relationship for the whole soil with those of the particle size fractions suggests that soil dispersion during particle size separation also decreased K selectivity significantly. When related to the mineralogical composition of the soil, the differential enthalpy data suggest that maximum K. selectivity is associated with a vermiculite/smectite component of inter-stratified minerals in the soil. Isotopic exchange using ^4sCa on the decalcified solids showed a measurable rate of exchange for the Ca forms of the <0.2 and 0.2–2 /μm fractions. This is attributed to traces of blocking materials (CaCO₃ or hydroxy-aluminium polymers), which are removed or rendered porous during treatment with dilute KCl solution, so that isotopic exchange with Ca is then much more rapid. The kinetics of K extraction with a Ca saturated resin, interpreted on the basis of a three-compartment model, suggest that sorbed K and K released by ‘fast’ and slow processes, representing sites of low and high K selectivity, were associated with minera-logically distinct phases in the various particle size fractions.