Release of interlayer potassium in Norwegian grassland soils

Potassium (K) release from sources that are not initially exchangeable is attributed to depletion of interlayer K of micas and clay minerals or weathering of feldspars. The aim of the present study was to estimate the K release from interlayer K. Soil samples from 17 field experiments in ley on a range of mineral soils in Norway were used in the study. The change in K‐fixation capacity was used as an estimate of depletion of interlayer K. It was assumed that the increase in K‐fixation capacity during 3 yr of cropping was equivalent to the amount of K depleted from the interlayer positions. Mean K fixation increased in the majority of the soils during 3 yr of grass cropping both with and without K application. The increase in K fixation indicated that without K application, the K uptake from interlayer K amounted to 43%, 28%, and 26% of the K yield for clay soils, high‐K sandy soils, and low‐K sandy soils, respectively. Including K uptake from exchangeable K in the topsoil and from subsoil, the explained K uptake amounted to 79%, 69%, and 81% for the three groups of soil, respectively. Simple linear‐regression analyses showed that the change in K fixation during 3 yr of grass cropping was best explained by the percentage of clay in the soil.     

Cesium uptake of field-grown Amaranthus species in Fukushima focusing on Cs concentration in xylem exudate and root distribution

ABSTRACT

Radiocesium (RCs) discharged by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc.) accident has extensively contaminated agricultural land in Fukushima Prefecture and its neighboring areas. Many studies have demonstrated that Cs (RCs and ¹³³Cs) uptake of plants is affected by the exchangeable K (Ex-K) concentration in soil. However, the precise plant–soil interaction in relation to Cs uptake is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate Cs uptake of plant in field by focusing on xylem exudate and roots because nutrients in xylem exudate reflect medium (soil) conditions and affect nutrient accumulation in shoots. Two varieties of amaranth, K4 (Amaranthus caudatus L.) and Mexico type (A. hypochondriacus L.), which have different Cs uptake abilities, were grown in four fields and in pots (750 to 3440 Bq kg^?1 of RCs) in Fukushima Prefecture. Cs concentrations in xylem exudate, shoot, and soil; Ex-K concentration in soil; and root distribution in soil were determined. RCs concentration in xylem exudate varied from 0.04 to 164 Bq kg^?1 and ¹³³Cs concentration in xylem exudate ranged from 0.01 to 33.7 μg kg^?1. The Cs concentrations were decreased by the high Ex-K concentration and the large amount of 2:1 type clay minerals in soil. The average of the ratios of Cs concentration in shoot to Cs concentration in xylem exudate for all samples was 127 ± 112 (mean ± standard deviation), although no clear correlation was found between them. The correlations betwee\n RCs and ¹³³Cs concentrations in xylem exudate and shoot were strong in pot and in the field with low Ex-K concentration. Eighty-five percent of the total root length was distributed in the topsoil (0–20 cm soil layer). The positions where roots take up Cs were estimated from the differences in the vertical distribution of RCs and ¹³³Cs concentrations in soil. The estimated Cs uptake ratios of topsoil to total soil layer ranged from 7% to 91% and varied with the concentration and the vertical distribution of Ex-K in soil.     

Factors affecting potassium fixation in calcareous soils of southern Iran

Potassium fixation capacity and mineralogical analysis of 24 representative soils, collected from southern Iran, were studied. Potassium fixation analysis was performed by adding six rates of K from 0 to 1000 mg kg^?1 soil in a plastic beaker and shaking for 24 h. Mineralogical analysis showed that the clay fractions were dominated by smectite, chlorite, mica, palygorskite, vermiculite and quartz. In general, the studied soils fixed 8.5–55% of the added K. The potassium fixation capacity of the studied soils was significantly correlated with smectite content (r ² = 0.87), clay content (r ² = 0.60), cation-exchange capacity (r ² = 0.79) and NH₄OAc-K. Wetting and drying treatment and incubation time had significant effects on K fixation. The average percentage increase in K fixation following the wetting and drying treatment was 24 and 30% for surface and subsurface soils, respectively. The average percentage increase in K fixation with increasing residence time was 79 and 56% for surface and subsurface soils, respectively. Because K fixation is a diffusion process, time and increased concentration of soluble K (because of soil drying) are factors affecting the rate of K diffusion from a soil solution to the interlayer positions of the expansible 2:1 clay minerals.     

我国北方一些土壤对外源钾的固定

本文研究了我国北方农区主要土壤的固钾能力。结果表明,在施K量0-4000mg/kg范围内,土壤固钾量与施钾量的关系符合方程y=ax3/2/(x3/2+b)。不同土壤固钾量相差很大,其固钾量与土壤矿物学性质和理化性质(粘粒含量、CEC、非交换性钾和速效钾含量)有关,与原始土壤非交换性钾含量呈显著负相关(不同施钾水平下土壤固钾量与非交换性钾含量之间的相关系数均在-0.6769* *以上)。供试土壤固钾能力表现出一定的地带性分布规律。施K1200mg/kg以下时土壤固钾能力的一般趋势是取自西北的土壤取自东北的土壤取自华北的土壤;而施K1200mg/kg以上时土壤固钾能力,从西向东呈逐渐增加的趋势。取自西北地区的土壤,固钾量(施K量为400～4000mg/kg,下同)平均为133～348mg/kg,最大同钾量平均是372mg/kg;取自华北地区的土壤,其固钾量平均为235～1001mg/kg,最大固钾量平均是1121mg/kg;取自东北地区的土壤,其固钾量平均为199～1254mg/kg,最大固钾量平均是1519mg/kg。     

Radiocesium transfer from Andosols to brown rice in the northern and northwest areas of Tochigi Prefecture,in the first 3 years following the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident

ABSTRACT

Following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident of 2011, the potential for radiocesium transfer from contaminated soils, such as Andosols, to agricultural crops became a significant concern. Andosols account for up to 70％ of paddy soils in the northern and northwest areas of Tochigi Prefecture, where the radiocesium concentration is 1000 Bq kg^?1 or greater in the soil of some fields. The present study was carried out in order to determine the phytoavailability of radiocesium in Andosols by comparing it with that of gray lowland soils in the first 3 years following the accident. The transfer factor (TF) tended to be higher in Andosols than in gray lowland soils, leading to higher radiocesium concentrations in brown rice grown in Andosols. The exchangeable potassium (Ex-K₂O) in Andosols was highly and negatively correlated with TF, followed by clay. The Ex-K₂O value was positively correlated with the clay/total carbon (T-C) value, suggesting that a high T–C ratio could weaken K₂O adsorption on clay mineral sites; hence, the low clay/T-C values can partially explain the relatively large TF values of Andosols. Samples with Ex-K₂O contents less than 200 mg kg^?1 and with low clay/T-C values showed striking decreases in TF values from 2011 to 2012. However, the decrease from 2012 to 2013 was quite small; radiocesium in these samples was potentially available for rice uptake for a long time, likely due to the reversible adsorption and fixation characteristics of allophane. Most gray lowland soil samples showed very low TF values over the 3 years of the study, except for those with TF values greater than 0.1 due to low Ex-K₂O and clay contents; the geometric mean (GM) value of TF was below 0.01 in 2012. The extraction of exchangeable radiocesium (Ex-Cs) with a 1 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate solution may not be an appropriate method for explaining the variability in radiocesium TF in Andosols. This is because the Ex-Cs value was significantly correlated with Ex-K₂O in Andosols, but not in gray lowland soils, indicating that Ex-K₂O explained this variability in relation to Ex-Cs.     

Exchangeable Cs/K ratio in soil is an index to estimate accumulation of radioactive and stable Cs in rice plant

Pot and field experiments were conducted to clarify the effect of soil exchangeable potassium (K) and cesium-137 (¹³⁷Cs) on ¹³⁷Cs accumulation and to establish soil index in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Four paddy soils in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, showing different transfer factors for radioactive Cs derived from the accident of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in the field were compared in terms of ¹³⁷Cs accumulation in rice in a pot experiment. ¹³⁷Cs accumulation in shoots and brown rice widely varied among soils with the transfer factor ranging from 0.018 to 0.068 for shoots and 0.004 to 0.065 for brown rice. ¹³⁷Cs concentration in brown rice and shoots tended to decrease with higher levels of soil exchangeable K, and they were more closely related to the exchangeable Cs/K ratio. Similar relationships between the Cs/K ratio and Cs accumulation in plants were obtained for the stable isotope cesium-133 (¹³³Cs). The distributions of ¹³⁷Cs and ¹³³Cs in grains were also similar and variable among soils. The transfer factors obtained in pot experiments mostly agreed with field observations. The results imply that the exchangeable ¹³⁷Cs/K can be a potential soil index to estimate ¹³⁷Cs accumulation in rice.     

Potassium Availability as Related to Clay Mineralogy and Rates of Potassium Application

Availability of applied potassium (K) as a fertilizer to plants is influenced by soil mineralogy, environmental factors, and rates of K application. The objective of this research was to study the effects of clay minerals and K application on K supply characteristics of calcareous soils in Iran. Surface and subsurface horizons of six sites with different ranges of clay content and exchangeable K were selected. The soils were treated with potassium chloride (KCl) solution with different K concentrations. Four wet–dry cycles were sequentially applied. Illites, vermiculites, and chlorites were present in all soils. Smectites were present in larger amounts in one soil. The increase in soluble and exchangeable K was expressed by linear equations in which the slops influenced by the dominant clay minerals. Potassium fixation was much higher in soils with more illites and vermiculites. Results revealed that different forms of K were affected by the dominant clay minerals but were independent from the rate of applied K.     

Kalium-Dynamik und Kalium-Fixierung nordwestiranischer Böden

Dynamics and fixation of potassium in soils of North-West-Iran The following results were obtained from experiments conducted on two calcareous soils (A-horizon) and on two soil samples from fertilizer experimental plots (K₀ = control plot, K₅ = 1000 kg K₂O/ha) to study the dynamics and fixation of potassium in these soils: The K-exchange curve of K₅ sample when compared with K₀ sample showed that, as a consequence of high fertilizer dose, most of the specific adsorption sites for cations (particularly on illites and weathering products of illites) were occupied by K which, thus, resulted into lower K-adsorption as well as fixation. The shape of K-exchange curves of other three samples (Alluvial soil, 16, Brown soil 26 and K₀ sample, Fig. 5 and 6) indicates a typical bend at definite activity ratios. This bend in the exchange curves exists apparently in soils containing high content of illitic clay mineral fraction. This behaviour has been interpreted as a consequence of contraction of layers of illitic minerals which were formerly expanded due to loss of potassium. The K-desorption experiment, which then followed, showed that a major part of sorbed amounts of potassium could not be desorbed and remained fixed in the soil. Similar type bend as in the exchange curve was also observed in the potassium fixation curves (Fig. 6 and 7). Illite is the dominant clay mineral in all these soils which in Brown soil and K₀-sample is expanded at edges; the expansion goes back to 10 A on treatment with K which then does not expand again on saturation with Mg.     

Umwandlungen von Dreischichtsilikaten unter K-Abgabe und K-Aufnahme

Transformation of three-layer silicates through K-release and K-uptake (A review). In soils formed from unconsilidated sediments with illite-vermiculite-smectite mixtures in their clay fractions the clay mineral transformation from illite to vermiculite and smectite between pH 5 and 7 cannot be considered so far as proven on the grounds of available analytical data. Studies of soil profiles showed that the formation of illite from expandable three layer silicates predominates over the formation of smectite from illite. Practically all samples of loess and calcareous tills of the areas discussed contain smectites. K loesses between pH 5 and 7 are probably very small, because K released during the formation of vermiculites from micas is immediately fixed by smectitic layers which are converted to illite. In those soils potential K fixation of the clay fraction (« 2 μ) is lower than in the corresponding parent sediments despite of vermiculite formation in the soils. Further analytical data (X-ray, interlattice-K, K-selectivity, specific surface) support the hypothesis of illitization of smectites during soil formation.     

山东主要果园土壤的粘土矿物组成及其吸附特性

研究了山东主要果园土壤中粘土矿物的组成、类型及其对P、K和Cu、Zn、Pb金属元素的吸附特性。结果表明：山东主要果园土壤的粘土矿物类型存在着明显的差异,淋溶较强,酸度较大的棕壤（简育湿润淋溶土）中粘土矿物以高岭石占优势,对P的吸附较强,但对K＋吸附固定较弱。含游离C aCO3较高的潮土（淡色潮湿雏形土）和褐土（简育干润淋溶土）,对P有较强的吸附和沉淀作用,使土壤磷的有效性降低。而砂姜黑土（钙积潮湿变性土）由于含有较高的蒙脱石和1.4 nm过渡矿物,对K＋具有很强的吸附和晶穴固定作用,因此砂姜黑土中磷肥和钾肥的有效性均较低,在施肥上应采取集中施肥和保持较湿润土壤环境等措施,以提高养分有效性。砂姜黑土和潮土对Cu、Zn、Pb金属元素的吸附显著地大于棕壤和褐土,主要的影响因素是不同土壤的粘粒含量和粘土矿物的类型的差异。同一土壤对Pb的吸附量远远大于对Zn和Cu的吸附量,主要取决于金属元素本身的化学性质和胶体的吸附特性。     

Potassium fixation capacity of some highly calcareous soils as a function of clay minerals and alternately wetting-drying

ABSTRACT

The current research was done to investigate the effect of wetting-drying cycles, time, and clay mineralogy on K fixation capacity of highly calcareous soils. In order to conduct the study, eight soil samples were collected. The samples were treated with different concentrations of K including 200 (K1), 400 (K2) and 800 mg kg^?1 (K3) and 8 different incubation time including 6 h (t1), 24 h (t2), 72 h (t3), one week (t4), two weeks (t5), one month (t6), two months (t7) and three months (t8). Also, a wetting-drying treatment was done (td) in order to simulate the effect of irrigation and soil drying on K fixation. The results showed that for all K levels addition, the percentage of fixed K was increased with time. The K fixation content was increased with the increase in the added K from K1 to K3, while K fixation percentage was decreased. The results also showed that there was a significant difference between soils with wetting-drying treatment (td) and soils with three-month incubation (t8) in K fixation capacity, so that the fixation of K by the soils was increased with wetting-drying cycles.     

Dynamics of 15N-labeled ammonium sulfate in various inorganic and organic soil fractions of wetland rice soils

Summary The dynamics of basally applied ¹⁵N-labeled ammonium sulfate in inorganic and organic soil fractions of five wetland rice soils of the Philippines was studied in a greenhouse experiment. Soil and plant samples were collected and analyzed for ¹⁵N at various growth stages. Exchangeable NH₄ ⁺ depletion continued after 40 days after transplanting (DAT) and corresponded with increased nitrogen uptake by rice plants. Part of the applied fertilizer was fixed by 2:1 clay minerals, especially in Maligaya silty clay loam, which contained beidellite as the dominant clay mineral. After the initial fixation, nonexchangeable ¹⁵N was released from 20 DAT in Maligaya silty clay loam, but fixation delayed fertilizer N uptake from the soil. Part of the applied N was immobilized into the organic fraction. In Guadalupe clay and Maligaya silty clay loam, immobilization increased with time while the three other soils showed significant release of fertilizer N from the organic fraction during crop growth. Most of the immobilized fertilizer N was recovered in the nondistillable acid soluble (alpha-amino acid + hydrolyzable unknown-N) fraction at crop maturity. Between 61% and 66% of applied N was recovered from the plant in four soils while 52% of fertilizer N was recovered from the plant in Maligaya silty loam. Only 20% – 30% of the total N uptake at maturity was derived from fertilizer N. Nmin (mineral N) content of the soil before transplanting significantly correlated with N uptake. Twenty-two to 34% of applied N was unaccounted for possibly due to denitrification and ammonia volatilization.     

Response of soil exchangeable and crop potassium concentrations to variable fertilizer and cropping regimes in long-term field experiments on different soil types

Annual potassium (K) balances have been calculated over a 40‐year period for five field experiments located on varying parent materials (from loamy sand to clay) in south and central Sweden. Each experiment consisted of a number of K fertilizer regimes and was divided into two crop rotations, mixed arable/livestock (I) and arable only (II). Annual calculations were based on data for K inputs through manure and fertilizer, and outputs in crop removal. Plots receiving no K fertilizer showed negative K balances which ranged from 30 to 65 kg ha^?1 year^?1 in rotation I, compared with 10–26 kg ha^?1 year^?1 for rotation II. On sandy loam and clay soils, the K yield of nil K plots (rotation I) increased significantly with time during the experimental period indicating increasing release of K from soil minerals, uptake from deeper soil horizons and/or depletion of exchangeable soil K (K_ex). Significant depletion of K_ex in the topsoil was only found in the loamy sand indicating a K supply from internal sources in the sandy loam and clay soils. On silty clay and clay soils, a grass/clover ley K concentration of ～2% (dry weight) was maintained during the 40‐year study period on the nil K plots, but on the sandy loam, loam and loamy sand, herbage concentrations were generally less than 2% K.     

Radio-caesium fixation dynamics: measurement in six Cumbrian soils

Five peat soils and a mineral soil were artificially contaminated with ¹³⁷Cs. Soil solution activity and radio–lability of ¹³⁷Cs were monitored over 709 days to quantify progressive ¹³⁷Cs fixation. The peat soils fixed large amounts of ¹³⁷Cs, but less than the mineral soil did. Distribution coefficients (K_d, cm³ g^?1) ranged from 30 to 5000 at the end of equilibration. A labile ¹³⁷Cs distribution coefficient, K_dt, was estimated by a method involving solid ? solution equilibration in dilute solution. In a separate study several concentrations of KCl were added to soils in increasing concentration both before and after the addition of ¹³⁷Cs. Differences in apparent adsorption strength of radiocaesium indicated that K⁺ induced the collapse of expanded mineral interlayers, thereby trapping ions. It seemed that ^I37Cs adsorbs at sites in the small micaceous clay fraction of the peat soils. The different rates of ¹³⁷Cs adsorption and fixation in the peat and mineral soils, in which the rate of access of ¹³⁷Cs to fixation sites in peat soils is less, seems to have been caused partly by lack of K, and partly by the scarcity of fixation sites.     

Potassium Buffering Capacity of Sandy Soils from Thua Thien Hue Province,Central Vietnam,as Related to Soil Properties

Most agricultural production in central Vietnam relies on sandy soils distributed along the sea coast. Because of their low exchangeable potassium (K) and low cation exchange capacity (CEC), careful adjustment of K fertilization on these soils is needed to minimize K leaching. Quantity/intensity curves were established on 24 sandy soils from Thua Thien Hue Province from which K buffering capacity (PBC) was calculated and compared with basic soil properties. Potassium buffering capacity was found to correlate best with soil texture and only a little with humus content, although these two characteristics are responsible for CEC. A simple equation based on sand content, which is easier to determine than clay content, is proposed to calculate optimum exchangeable K level as a function of target K level in soil solution.     

阳离子交换膜在土壤钾释放及小麦对钾素的反应研究中的应用

A pot experiment was conducted in the growth chamber on Saskatchewan soils with different texture to determine the K release status and wheat K demand.The relationship between K uptake and soil available K extracted by cation exchange membrane(CEM-K) and the effcet of K fertilizer on wheat growth and soil available K was also evaluated.Treatments of 0,60 and 120mg K/kg were applied to sandy,low and high K loamy and clay soils,The highest yields were acieved with the application of 120mg K/kg in sandy soil and 60 mg K/kg in other soils.On the whole,the clay soil contributed K more than other soils from slowly available fraction.Regression revealed a linear relationship between the soil available K extracted by NH4OAc(Ka) and CEM-K in suspensions(r=0.93).Results also showed that CEM-K in burial and in suspensions were different not only in the amount but also in correlation with Ka or K uptake.     

Potassium Selectivity in Transported Volcanic Soils (Sorribas) under Banana Cultivation in Relation to Banana-Wilt Expression Caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cubense

The bases for the microbiological nature of certain soils to suppress plant diseases caused by soil pathogens are well established. However, the microbial origin of the suppressiveness does not exclude edaphic factors and soil-management strategies, which need to be studied under field conditions. With respect to abiotic factors, we investigated the importance of potassium (K) selectivity on soil conduciveness and suppressiveness to banana wilt (positive or negative disease expression) caused by soil fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense in Sorribas field plots (transported volcanic soils) from the Canary Islands that are naturally affected by Fusarium wilt. To facilitate comparison among sites, soil K variables were normalized using Z scores and tested by one-way analysis of variance within each soil sample type (soil areas where banana plants show positive or negative wilting symptoms characteristic of Panama disease), with the site as the block factor. Variations of Z scores within the same plot were explained mostly by the differences between soil K indices between areas with and without disease. In fact, soil conduciveness or suppressiveness to Fusarium wilt seemed to be substantially affected by changes in exchangeable and solution K indices. Potassium selectivity coefficients (K_G) were always greater in areas without disease than in those with disease. The differences between samples can be related to allophane composition and clay mineral distribution in disease and disease-free soils. The larger selectivity of suppressive soils for K can be partly attributed to the K-fixing capacity of silicon-rich allophane. Moreover, there was a clear separation between available iron (Fe) [extracted by diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)] and the mass of stable aggregate in water (WSA) in conducive and suppressive soil samples by K_G. These results suggest that WSA and Fe-DTPA in soils of volcanic nature affected by F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense seem to depend on K selectivity characteristics associated with these soils.     

The effect of pig slurry on exchangeable potassium in calcareous soils

Pig slurry in quantities of 200, 400, 500, 600, 800, and 1000 m³ ha^-1 year^-1 was added to two calcareous soils, which differed in concentration and type of clay minerals. The soils were cultivated with two successive crops of pepper and tomatoes grown in containers. A control was given no slurry. The soils were analysed after harvesting for exchangeable K⁺. Differences in exchangeable K⁺ were studied in relation to the concentration and type of clay minerals. The soil with the higher clay content and of the illite type retained K in the exchangeable form to a much greater extent than the soil with the low clay content. In the soil with the lower clay content, of the interstratified illitic — montmorillonite type, very little K was incorporated into the exchange complex. The exchange capacity being low, the amount of K added had little effect on the level of exchangeable K⁺.     

Distribution of potassium fractions in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) garden soils in the Central Highlands of Papua New Guinea and management implications

Previous studies indicated that potassium (K) deficiency is an important soil‐related factor for yield decline of the sweet potato gardens in the Central Highlands of Papua New Guinea, where sweet potato is an important staple food crop. An effort was made to characterize various fractions of K in the diverse soils of this region under sweet potato, to ascertain the probable reasons behind the observed K deficiency and its relationship to decreasing yield trends. Soils from two depths (0–10 cm) and (10–20 cm) in two types of gardens (old and new gardens) were assessed for different fractions of soil potassium in volcanic and non‐volcanic soil groups. Volcanic soils (Hydrandepts and Andaquepts) were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in exchangeable K than the non‐volcanic soils (Dystropepts, Tropoqualfs and Eutropepts). Mean exchangeable K content of the non‐volcanic soils was 95.5 mg/kg, whereas that of volcanic soils was 72.4 mg/kg. Similarly, new gardens had an average exchangeable K content of 94.1 mg/kg, which was significantly greater than 71.6 mg/kg soil of older gardens. Non‐exchangeable K content differed significantly (P < 0.001) between the soil types; mean K content was 85.9 mg/kg for the volcanic soils, whereas in non‐volcanic soils, it was 184.9 mg/kg. Garden types also differed significantly (P < 0.05) with respect to non‐exchangeable K content; new gardens registering higher average values (by almost 20%) than the older gardens. Multiple regression analysis showed that variability in the tuber yield was as a result of variability of water soluble and exchangeable K (up to 22%), non‐exchangeable K (2%), mineral K (4%) and leaf K concentrations (10%). Older gardens, which are in volcanic soil groupings, are more susceptible to the K depletion problem because of continuous sweet potato cultivation, possibly owing to their lower K reserves. Such gardens should be managed either with sufficient fallow periods for regeneration of soil fertility or with suitable application of mineral K fertilizers to enhance productivity.     

Potassium release and fixation in Ferralsols (Oxisols) from Southern Togo

Potassium release and fixation were studied on Ferralsols (typic Eutrustox) of Southern Togo both by isotopic exchange with ⁴²K+ ions and by exchange with 1 M ammonium acetate. Experiments were conducted on soil samples taken from surface (0–30 cm) and subsoil (80–100 cm) layers of four plots. These plats, with the same soil type, were subjected to various kinds of use: forest and crops, with or without fertilizers. A single wetting and drying of the soil samples increased the amounts of exchangeable K. This exchangeable K release could stem from clay protonation during drying. However, the K release is insufficient to allow permanent intensive agriculture without K fertilizer addition. Soil samples were therefore treated with KCI in order to study K fixation. About 20% of the applied K was fixed and the percentage increased with wetting and drying. The fixation can be explained by the presence of about 2% of interstratified clay minerals in these kaolinitic soils. Comparison of the kinetic characteristics of the isotopically exchangeable K with the amounts of ammonium exchangeable K revealed the existence of several kinds of exchange site for K ions.