秸秆还田对水稻土黏土矿物组成和钾素释放的影响

以湖北省武穴市和荆州市长期定位试验为对象,利用X射线衍射、选择性浸提以及室内模拟等方法,研究秸秆还田下水稻土中黏土矿物组合的差异及钾素的释放。结果表明,长期秸秆还田,土壤中伊利石和高岭石增加,蛭石和1.4 nm过渡矿物(HIV)减少;长期秸秆还田配施氮磷钾肥,土壤中高岭石、蛭石和HIV增加,伊利石和绿泥石减少。长期秸秆还田,土壤中全钾、非交换性钾和交换性钾含量均增加,且土壤各形态钾素与伊利石含量呈显著正相关,与高岭石和HIV含量则呈显著负相关。0.05 mol L~(-1)草酸浸提下,土壤钾素的释放量和释放速率较大,且随浸提次数的增加,钾素的释放速率逐渐降低并保持稳定。土壤钾素的释放量与土壤非交换性钾和全钾含量呈显著正相关,伊利石和HIV是影响供试土壤钾素释放的主要黏土矿物,且二者间存在相互转化的关系。长期秸秆还田可以增加土壤的供钾能力。     

四苯硼钠溶液中含钾矿物非交换态钾的释放特性研究

含钾矿物的全钾含量、非交换态钾总量以及非交换态钾的释放速率因矿物种类而异,且3种参数之间没有必然的相关性。供试5种含钾矿物非交换态钾总量由高到低的顺序是:金云母 5.19% 黑云母3.08% 蛭石2.01% 白云母1.18% 钾长石0.24%,占各矿物全钾的比例分别为:58.4% 、99.7% 、62.5% 、14.2% 和4.98% ,平均达48%。选择较弱提取力的四苯硼钠溶液进行非交换态钾的释放特性研究,5种矿物非交换态钾3d释放累积量顺序为:黑云母 蛭石 金云母 白云母 钾长石;非交换态钾平均释放速率也表现为同样的顺序。上述5种矿物在弱提取力的四苯硼钠溶液中释放3 d,非交换态钾的平均释放速率分别为5.99、2.34、0.52、0.22和0.17 mg/(kgmin),差异明显。如何根据非交换态钾的释放量和释放速率来综合评价矿物钾的生物有效性是未来研究中需要明确的问题。     

不同有效钾提取方法的原理与效率比较

以6种典型含钾矿物为研究对象,探讨了盐溶液提取法、阳离子交换树脂法及四苯硼钠法等不同有效钾提取方法的原理、效率及影响因素的影响效应和机制。结果表明：盐溶液提取法对含钾矿物中钾的提取能力受离子种类、浓度及pH的影响,不同种类盐提取剂对矿物中钾释放的促进作用也因含钾矿物类型而异。NH4+ 使矿物层间塌陷,显著抑制各种矿物中非交换态钾的释放。阳离子交换树脂法对溶液中钾的提取能力与饱和离子种类及振荡强度有关。H+、Na+ 饱和树脂吸附溶液钾的能力大于Ca2+ 饱和树脂。振荡强度选为120 r/min可消除树脂法提取钾素时液膜扩散阻力的干扰。四苯硼钾的溶度积常数Ksp为2.40 × 10-8（25℃）。不加NaCl条件下,四苯硼钠浓度是影响四苯硼钠法对含钾矿物中钾的提取能力的主要因素。由不同方法的提取原理可以看出,铵盐类提取剂适用于速效钾为当季作物主要钾源（速效钾含量较高）的土壤钾素有效性的评价。而其他盐提取剂通过延长提取时间,可提取部分非交换态钾,可能较醋酸铵法更适合于提取非交换态钾为当季作物主要钾源的土壤有效钾。阳离子交换树脂法也可提取土壤非交换态钾,但操作较为繁琐,该方法更适用于原位研究土壤钾素的迁移、扩散等特性。四苯硼钠法提取效率较高,通过调节其提取力,可提取不同程度的非交换态钾,是具有较好应用前景的适于各类土壤和作物的土壤有效钾测定方法。     

不同提取方法测定的土壤钾的有效性比较研究

以122个油菜钾肥田间试验的籽粒产量和植株吸钾量为标准,分别采用1 mol L-1中性醋酸铵、1 mol L-1沸硝酸和0.2 mol L-1四苯硼钠3种浸提剂测定试验基础土壤的钾素含量,并按浸提剂种类和速效钾、缓效钾将其分类,通过相关性分析探索土壤有效钾的准确测定方法,并建立与之对应的土壤钾素丰缺指标。研究结果表明,不同方法的提取能力有所不同,沸硝酸钾含量四苯硼钠钾含量醋酸铵钾含量。用醋酸铵法和四苯硼钠法测得的土壤钾素的生物有效性均较好,其中又以四苯硼钠法更好。长江流域冬油菜区醋酸铵法浸提的土壤钾素"低"、"中"、"高"和"极高"指标分别为45 mg kg-1、45~115 mg kg-1、115~190mg kg-1和190 mg kg-1;四苯硼钠法浸提的土壤钾素"低"、"中"、"高"和"极高"指标分别为125 mg kg-1、125~415 mg kg-1、415~755 mg kg-1和755 mg kg-1。综合结果表明四苯硼钠法和醋酸铵法测得的土壤钾素含量与油菜相对产量和相对吸钾量间呈极显著相关关系。据此建立的土壤钾素丰缺指标可以用来指导长江流域油菜的测土配方施肥,另外此区域应该重视并合理的施用钾肥。     

菜园土壤有效钾提取方法比较研究——以重庆地区为例

研究菜园土壤有效钾的测定方法,为蔬菜合理施用钾肥提供理论依据。以36个莴笋钾肥田间试验的产量及吸钾量为参比标准,采用7种方法 (醋酸铵法、ASI法、Mehlich3法、冷硝酸法、四苯硼钠法1、四苯硼钠法2和沸硝酸法)测定土壤有效钾含量。结果表明,土壤有效钾含量以沸硝酸法四苯硼钠法2四苯硼钠法1冷硝酸法Mehlich3法醋酸铵法ASI法。7种测定方法测得的土壤有效钾含量间呈不同程度正相关,均具有评价土壤钾素有效性的潜力。四苯硼钠法1和四苯硼钠法2测得的土壤有效钾含量与无肥区占施钾区莴笋相对产量(RY_(CK))、缺钾区占施钾区莴笋相对产量(RY_(NP))、无肥区占施钾区莴笋相对吸钾量(RUK_(CK))的相关性均达显著水平,即其测得的土壤钾素的生物有效性均较好。综合而言,在所试验土壤地区,四苯硼钠法1和四苯硼钠法2均是评价菜园土壤当季钾素有效性的较好方法,其中以四苯硼钠法1更好。     

冷硝酸浸提法对表征富钾石灰性土壤有效钾的适用性研究

通过研究西北黄土区富钾石灰性土壤中钾素形态及各形态之间的关系,为"冷硝酸浸提土壤有效钾法"在富钾石灰性土壤上的适用性提供理论依据。以关中平原麦玉轮作不同秸秆还田模式多年定位试验农田土壤为供试材料,用2 mol·L-1冷硝酸浸提测定土壤有效钾,并以常规方法测得土壤钾素的其他7种组分,通过相关分析、主成分分析和通径分析,揭示上述8种组分间的关系。在麦玉轮作体系不同秸秆还田模式下,耕层土壤中各组分钾素含量均存在较大变异性,变异系数1.9%~33.8%,不同秸秆还田模式下差异不显著;冷硝酸浸提钾的含量分别约为速效钾和缓效钾含量的1.43和0.30倍,且与土壤速效钾存在极显著正相关关系(r=0.82);主成分分析表明,冷硝酸浸提钾与土壤速效钾同在第一主成分中,且均具有较高载荷;通径分析表明,冷硝酸浸提钾主要由土壤非特殊吸附钾、特殊吸附钾以及非交换性钾3种化学形态组成,其含量来自土壤交换性钾的贡献最大,与速效钾类似。冷硝酸浸提法可以作为表征石灰性富钾土壤有效钾水平的可靠方法,土壤交换性钾是土壤有效钾主要供方。     

吉林省主要耕作土壤中含钾矿物组成及其与不同形态钾的关系

通过化学分析 ,X-射线衍射及镜检法研究了黑土、白浆土、黑钙土等吉林省主要耕作土壤的含钾矿物组成及不同形态钾的含量。结果表明 ,土壤中的含钾矿物以含钾长石和伊利石为主 ,钾长石主要集中在土壤砂粒部分 ,伊利石主要存在于土壤的粘粒部分。土壤的含钾矿物总量约占土壤矿物总量的 1/ 3多些 ,比南方土壤高 ;缓效钾含量丰富 ,供钾潜力大 ;速效钾含量在黑土、黑钙土中较高 ,而在白浆土中稍低。 3种土壤的全钾量与含钾矿物总量、粘粒中伊利石含量与粘粒含钾量、伊利石含量与缓效钾量、细砂中含钾长石含量与细砂中全钾量、缓效性钾与速效性钾之间呈极显著或显著相关。     

土壤矿物钾的释放及其在植物营养中的意义

本文对土壤钾的形态、矿物钾释放的影响因素及钾的固定、土壤含钾矿物与土壤供钾能力间关系、矿物钾的植物有效性进行了综述 ,表明土壤钾素从有效性的角度进行划分时 ,不能仅把速效性钾和1mol/L热硝酸提取的缓效性钾列为作物吸钾的主要来源 ,而忽视矿物钾的作用 .     

草酸和酒石酸促进花岗岩中钾释放的实验研究

利用浸提实验研究了草酸和酒石酸作用下花岗岩中钾的释放量与低分子量有机酸种类、浓度和时间的关系,同时讨论了释放出来的钾的可能来源。研究结果表明:草酸浸提钾的能力强于酒石酸,在相同的条件下草酸浸提的钾量是酒石酸的2~27倍;在0.005~0.500 mol L-1浓度范围内,浸提的钾量随着有机酸浓度的升高而增大;浸提的钾量随着浸提时间的延长而增大,最后趋于稳定;在实验过程中,花岗岩的矿物组成未发生明显的变化,说明进入到溶液中的钾并非来自晶格内部,很有可能是来自于正长石、白云母表面及其边缘断键。     

不同提取方法土壤非交换性钾释放动力学及其速率的研究

采用Ca2+饱和土壤的 0.50molL-1硝酸、0.0 1molL-1草酸和氢质阳离子交换树脂恒温连续提取法 ,利用Elovich和二级动力学模型 ,结合生物吸钾试验 ,研究探讨了描述土壤非交换性钾释放及其速率较为理想的连续提取法及其动力学模型。研究结果表明 ,氢质树脂提取法的Elovich模型描述非交换性钾释放及其速率的效果较为理想 ,拟合方程的相关系数达极显著水平(r =0.982～ 0.996 ) ;不同时间非交换性钾累积释放量的计算值与实测值的标准差最小 (S =1.335～2.480 ) ;通过速率方程计算的不同时间非交换性钾释放速率与黑麦草吸收的非交换性钾数量的相关性也最为密切 (r =0.944～ 0.963) ,故氢质阳离子交换树脂连续提取法结合Elovich模型是描述土壤非交换性钾释放及其速率较为理想的组合方法。以伊利石为主的 2、3和 8号土壤非交换性钾释放速率明显高于其它以高岭石或蒙脱石为主的供试土壤     

Potassium fixation of some calcareous soils after short term extraction with different solutions

This investigation was done to determine the release of potassium (K) from five calcareous soils of southern Iran using 0.025 M CaCl₂, HCl and citric acid during six successive extractions and to study the K fixation capacity of the soils after K release experiment. Mineralogical study indicated that Vertisols and Mollisols were dominated with smectites; while other soils had illite, chlorite, palygorskite and smectite. Results indicated that citric acid extracted more K than CaCl₂ and HCl (137 vs. 111 and 113 mg kg^?1, respectively). The analysis of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and K concentrations in the solutions suggests that the exchange of K with soluble Ca and Mg (originated from dissolution of carbonates by acidic solutions) is the main mechanism of K release, but citrate is able to dissolve K-bearing minerals and release K in slightly calcareous soils. Soils with more illite released more K. Potassium fixation capacity of soils increased after extractions of soils with different extractants from 324 to 471 mg kg^?1, with no significant difference. It is suggested to apply more K fertilizers in K-depleted calcareous soils and use of different solutions for extracting K from soil minerals may be a temporary and short term solution.     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics of Several Normal and K-Exhausted Soils in the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtse River,China

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important factors affecting K availability to plants and the utilization efficiency of K fertilizer. Three typical soils (red soil, yellow cinnamon soil, and alluvial soil) were collected from the middle and lower reaches of Yangtse River, China, to study the K-fixation and K-release characteristics of the normal and K-exhausted soil. Results showed that K fixation of added K in K-exhausted soils were significantly (P < 0.05) greater than that of the normal soils. There were significantly (P < 0.05) negative correlations among K-fixation capacity, concentration of soil-available K, and K⁺ saturation. Irrespective of soil K exhaustion, K fixation of added K was in the order of red soil > yellow cinnamon soil > alluvial soil, but the cumulative amount of K released from the three soils during successive extractions with 1.0 mol L^?1 nitric acid (HNO₃) was in the opposite order. The cumulative amounts of K released with 1.0 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ extraction increased with the increasing numbers of extractions. The K-releasing power of soil by successive extraction decreased gradually and finally became almost constant. The release of K was lower in K-exhausted soil than in normal soil. Overall, the information obtained in this study will be helpful in formulating more precise K fertilizer recommendations for certain soils.     

动力学模型在土壤钾素释放特征描述中的运用及其与化学方法提取的钾素之间的相关性研究

Potassium (K) release characteristics in soil play a significant role in supplying available K. Information on K-release characteristics in soils of central Iran is limited. The objectives of this study were to determine K release characteristics and correlations of K release rate constants with K extracted by different chemical methods in surface soils of ten calcareous soils of central Iran. The kinetics of K release in the soils was determined by successive extraction with 0.01 mol L^-1 CaCl₂ in a period of 2--2 017 h at 25±1 ^oC. Soil K was extracted by distilled water, 0.5 mol L-1 MgNO₃, 0.002 mol L^-1 SrCl₂, 0.1 mol L^-1 BaCl₂, 0.01 mol L^-1 CaCl₂, 1 mol L^-1 NaCl, 1 mol L^-1 boiling HNO₃, 1 mol L^-1 NH₄OAC, Mehlich 1, 0.002 mol L^-1 SrCl₂ 0.05 mol L^-1 citric acid, and ammonium bicarbonate-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (AB-DTPA). A plot of cumulative amounts of K released showed a discontinuity in slope at 168 h. Thus, two equations were applied to two segments of the total reaction time (2--168 and 168--2017 h). Cumulative amounts of K released ranged from 55 to 299 mg kg^-1 in 2--168 h and from 44 to 119 mg kg^-1 in 168--2 017 h. Release kinetics of K in the two time segments conformed fairly well to parabolic diffusion, simplified Elovich, and power function models. There was a wide variation in the K release rate constants. Increasingly higher average concentrations of soil K were extracted by distilled water, Mehlich 1, SrCl₂, CaCl₂, SrCl₂ + citric acid, AB-DTPA, MgNO₃, NaCl, NH₄OAc, BaCl₂ and HNO₃. Potassium release rate constants were significantly correlated with K extracted. The results of this study showed that information obtained from mathematical modeling in two reaction time segments can help to estimate the K-supplying power of soils.     

Use of soil nonexchangeable potassium by paddy rice with clay structural changes under long-term fertilizer management

To prove the hypothesis that paddy rice utilizes soil nonexchangeable potassium (neK) and causes associated structural changes in clay minerals, K status and clay mineralogy of 22 surface soils from three paddy fields under long-term fertilizer management for 51–93 years were investigated. Soil neK content was determined as the difference between 1 mol L⁻¹ hot HNO₃ extractable K and 1 mol L⁻¹ ammonium acetate exchangeable K. Clay mineralogy was identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The radiocesium interception potential (RIP), an index of frayed edge sites in the interlayer sites of 2:1 type clay minerals, was also determined. The neK contents under the -K and NPK treatments were considerably lower than those under the unfertilized treatment in all the fields, indicating the exploitation of soil neK by rice. XRD analysis of the clay samples revealed 7% shift from the 1.0 peak to 1.4 nm one under the -K treatment compared with the unfertilized one, and the amounts of neK were negatively correlated with those of RIP (p < .01), suggesting the expansion of interlayer spaces of the 2:1 type phyllosilicates such as mica due to the release of neK. In addition, the neK content positively correlated with K balance of the long-term experiments (p < .05). The differences of neK between unfertilized K and -K treatments corresponded to 22–157 kg K ha⁻¹, or 0.42–1.68 kg K ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. In conclusion, utilization of considerable amount of soil neK under K depleted conditions should be considered to establish sustainable K management for paddy rice.     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics in Rhizosphere and Nonrhizosphere Soils for a Rapeseed–Rice Cropping Sequence

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important factors in the long-term sustainability of a cropping system. Changes in K concentration and characteristics of K fixation and release in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils in the rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)–rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation were investigated using a rhizobox system. The concentrations of different forms of K in both rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils decreased with plants compared to without plants, regardless of K fertilizer application. Potassium uptake by crops mainly came from the rhizosphere soil. In the treatment without K fertilizer (–K), the main form of K supplied by the soil to the crops was 1.0 mol L^?1 nitric acid (HNO₃) nonextractable K, followed by nonexchangeable K, and then exchangeable K. In the treatment with K fertilizer (+K), the main K forms supplied by the soil to the crops were exchangeable K and nonexchangeable K. The amount and rate of K fixation after one cycle of the rapeseed–rice rotation was greater in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The amount and rate of K fixation of soil in the +K treatment were significantly less than in the –K treatment. The cumulative amounts of K released with 1.0 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ extraction increased with the increasing numbers of extractions, but the K-releasing power of soil by successive extraction decreased gradually and finally became almost constant. The release of K was less in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The release of K in the +K treatment was similar to that in the –K treatment in rhizosphere soil, but the K release in nonrhizosphere soil was greater with the +K than the –K treatment. Overall, the information obtained in this study will be helpful in formulating more precise K fertilizer recommendations for certain soils.     

Oxalic Acid Effect on Potassium Release from Typical Rice Soils of Kashmir

Batch experiments were employed to examine the influence of oxalic acid on release kinetics of potassium (K) from soils along with adsorption and desorption of soil K⁺. The soils used were three rice soils from high-, mid-, and low-altitude zones. The results showed that soil K extracted using 0.2 mol L^–1 oxalic acid was similar to that of 1 mol L^–1 boiling nitric acid (HNO₃). The relation between K release (y) and concentrations of oxalic acid (c) could be best described as y = a + b log c, whereas the best-fit kinetic equation of K release was y = a + b √t. The K release for soils was in the order Bonbagh > Ganasthan > Kreeri. An oxalic acid solution with low pH was able to release more K. Oxalic acid decreased soil K⁺ adsorption and increased desorption, the effect of which tended to be greater at lower pH.     

A Study on the Quantity/Intensity Relationships of Potassium of Sugarcane Growing Soils,Eastern Thailand

Surface and subsurface horizons of 16 representative sugarcane growing soils with varying soil properties in the eastern region of Thailand were collected to determine the potassium (K) fertility status and its availability by using the quantity/intensity relationship (potential buffering capacity of K (PBC_k)). The results showed that most soils had a low K fertility status and lack of reserved K from K-bearing minerals. The PBC_k values of the studied soils ranged from 3.75 to 168 cmol kg^?1/(mol L^?1)^1/2, and the coarse-textured soil group showed much lower PBC_k values; these results suggested a low capability of these soils to replenish K removal by plant uptake compared with that of the fine-textured soil group. The negative delta K (ΔK°) values of the coarse-textured soil group also indicated a large quantity of readily available K for plant uptake that easily leaches at the same time. The higher K activity ratio (AR^k_e) of the coarse-textured soil group (>0.001 mol L^?1)^1/2) than that of the fine-textured soil group (<0.001 mol L^?1)^1/2) suggested that readily available K was desorbed from the non-specific sites of 1:1 clay minerals and specific sites of 2:1 clay minerals, respectively. The ΔK° value of the studied soils was more significantly correlated to K concentration in sugarcane stalks (R² = 0.64) than that of readily available K content (R² = 0.54). Therefore, the results of this study suggested that ΔK° represents a better parameter to estimate K availability in these soils compared to conventional ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc)-extractable K content.     

草酸对土壤和矿物中钾素的释放规律研究

Oxalic acid plays an important role in improving the bioavailability of soil nutrients. Batch experiments were employed to examine the influences of oxalic acid on extraction and release kinetics of potassium （K） from soils and minerals along with the adsorption and desorption of soil K^＋. The soils and minerals used were three typical Chinese soils, black soil （Mollisol）, red soil （Ultisol）, and calcareous alluvial soil （Entisol）, and four K-bearing minerals, biotite, phlogopite, muscovite, and microcline. The results showed that soil K extracted using 0.2 mol L^-1 oxalic acid was similar to that using 1 mol L^-1 boiling HNO3. The relation between K release （y） and concentrations of oxalic acid （c） could be best described logarithmically as y = a ＋ blogc, while the best-fit kinetic equation of K release was y = a ＋ b√t, where a and b are the constants and t is the elapsed time. The K release for minerals was ranked as biotite 〉 phlogopite 〉〉 muscovite 〉 microcline and for soils it was in the order： black soil 〉 calcareous alluvial soil 〉 red soil. An oxalic acid solution with low pH was able to release more K from weathered minerals and alkaline soils. Oxalic acid decreased the soil K^＋ adsorption and increased the soil K^＋ desorption, the effect of which tended to be greater at lower solution pH, especially in the red soil.     

酸和氧化还原剂对二氧化锰溶解度的影响

由于土壤中锰的有效性随pH和Eh的变化而变化,利用土壤测试方法得到的锰素营养丰缺指标,通常难以代表田间锰素营养的实际状况.然而,在应用土壤pH和氧化锰溶解度的关系时,某些文献的不确切解释,引起一些误解.本实验研究了在浓HCl、HNO3和H2SO4及其稀溶液的不同浓度情况下对二氧化锰-水钠锰矿(MnO2)的溶解能力和机理,以及三种卤素还原剂(KCl、KBr和KI)在两种pH值条件下对MnO2的还原能力,从实验上和理论上进一步阐明了pH和Eh对MnO2溶解度的影响.实验结果表明,在浓HCl中,MnO2能被Cl-迅速还原而溶解.而在浓HNO3和H2SO4溶液中,MnO2不能被酸所直接溶解,只能被酸中的H2O缓慢还原,放置两年后反应仍未到达终点.在稀酸溶液中,当H+强度小于0.5 mol L-1(pH＞1.0)时,三种强酸对MnO2都无明显的溶解能力;当H+强度＞1.0 mol L-1时,HCl对MnO2的溶解能力显著地高于HNO3和H2SO4.三种卤盐溶液对MnO2的还原能力为KI＞KBr＞KCl,并随pH的降低和浓度的升高而增强.当pH＞3时,KCl对MnO2的还原能力极弱;而无论pH高低(pH3或pH5),KI在很低浓度(0.001 mol L-1)时都能有效地还原MnO2.上述结果说明,如果二氧化锰不被还原,仅改变pH则很难被溶解.然而,在较高pH条件下,如有强还原剂存在,也有相当量的MnO2被还原.低Eh和pH条件下最有利于MnO2的还原.     

Effects of humic and fulvic acids on release of fixed potassium

Release of potassium fixed by expanding silicate clays is considered of practical importance in soil fertility. Humic and fulvic acids are expected to play a definite role in liberating this fixed K, because of their chelating power, but not much is known in this respect. The following investigation was conducted to study release of fixed K by montmorillonite and illite, using humic and fulvic acids isolated from the surface horizon of a Cecil soil (Typic Hapludult, Red Yellow Podzolic soil) as extractants. For comparison, extraction was also done with 1 N neutral NH₄ -acetate, a mixture of 0.05 N HCl and 0.025 N H₂SO₄ or H₂ O. Supporting analyses of clays were carried out with X-ray diffraction to establish changes, if any, in crystal structure due to fixation, release of K, or adsorption of humic compounds. The results indicated that humic and fulvic acids released some of the K fixed by montmorillonite or illite. In terms of percentage of the total K fixed, 9 to 28% were released by the various extractants. The percentages K released by humic and fulvic acids were similar from both montmorillonite and illite, but based on absolute values, humic and fulvic acids extracted less K (mg/100 g) from illite than montmorillonite. Although statistically significant at the 5% level of probability, the capacity of humic compounds to liberate fixed K was not different markedly from those of NH₄ -acetate and the double acid mixture. Differences in pH of humic solutions had no influence on extraction of fixed K. X-ray diffraction analysis yielded curves showing an increase in spacing from 10.4 Å for K-montmorillonite to 13.2 Å as a result of extraction with the double acid mixture.