Potassium isotherm partitioning based on modified quantity‐intensity relation and potassium buffering characterization of soils of North India

Background : Potassium (K) availability in soil and plant uptake is restrained by the dynamic interactions among the different pools of K. Aims : To understand these interactions, a study was undertaken to assess the quantity–intensity (Q/I) and buffering characteristics of rainfed maize (Zea mays L.) growing soils. Ten contrasting soils were evaluated for K partitioning changes in exchangeable K (ΔEK) and non‐exchangeable K (ΔNEK) pools in the soil‐solution phase and buffering characteristics using a modified version of Q/I approach. Results : The partitioned Q/I isotherms showed strong adsorption with the increase in K concentration ratio (CR^K) and the changes due to ΔEK were higher than changes due to ΔNEK. Total buffering capacity (PBC^K) significantly correlated (r = 0.92, p <0.01) with clay content with a major share contributed by buffering capacity owing to non‐exchangeable K ( ${\mathrm{PBC}}_{\Delta \mathrm{NEK}}^K$) rather than exchangeable K ( ${\mathrm{PBC}}_{\Delta \mathrm{EK}}^K$). The fixation capacity (β) factor, the magnitude of added K converted into a non‐exchangeable pool, ranged from 41 to 63%, whereas release (α) factor, the magnitude of added K converted to the exchangeable pool, ranged from 19 to 36%. Both threshold solution K (CK_r) and threshold exchangeable K (EK_r) values were found to be high in Satran clay loam (S2) and lower in Doon silty clay loam (S3) soils. The equilibrium exchangeable K (EK_o) was found close to minimum exchangeable K (E_min) in Doon silty clay loam (S3) and Babaweyl sandy clay loam (S1) soils and overall E_min constituted about 8.94 to 0.57% of the EK_o. Conclusion : It may be concluded that K Q/I isotherm partitioning provides a valuable insight to assess the dynamic relations. The ratio of α/β (K recharge index) could be used to evaluate the K enrichment capacity of soil to K additions while EK_r and E_min can be potentially useful in the elucidation of exchangeable K as K fertility index especially in soils with poor K fertilizer management.     

Effect of long‐term fertilization and manuring on potassium release properties in a Typic Ustochrept

A long‐term fertilizer experiment, over 27 years, studied the effect of mineral fertilizers and organic manures on potassium (K) balances and K release properties in maize‐wheat‐cowpea (fodder) cropping system on a Typic Ustochrept. The treatments consisted of control, 100% nitrogen (100% N), 100% nitrogen and phosphorus (100% NP), 50% nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (50% NPK), 100% nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (100% NPK), 150% nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (150% NPK), and 100% NPK+farmyard manure (100% NPK+FYM). Nutrients N, P, and K in 100% NPK treatment were applied at N: 120 kg ha^—1, P: 26 kg ha^—1, and K: 33 kg ha^—1 each to maize and wheat crops and N: 20 kg ha^—1, P: 17 kg ha^—1, and K: 17 kg ha^—1 to cowpea (fodder). In all the fertilizer and manure treatments removal of K in the crop exceeded K additions and the total soil K balance was negative. The neutral 1 N ammonium acetate‐extractable K in the surface soil (0—15 cm) ranged from 0.19 to 0.39 cmol kg^—1 in various treatments after 27 crop cycles. The highest and lowest values were obtained in 100% NPK+FYM and 100% NP treatments, respectively. Non‐exchangeable K was also depleted more in the treatments without K fertilization (control, 100% N, and 100% NP). Parabolic diffusion equation could describe the reaction rates in CaCl₂ solutions. Release rate constants (b) of non‐exchangeable K for different depth of soil profile showed the variations among the treatments indicating that long‐term cropping with different rates of fertilizers and manures influenced the rate of K release from non‐exchangeable fraction of soil. The b values were lowest in 100% NP and highest in 100% NPK+FYM treatment in the surface soil. In the sub‐surface soil layers (15—30 and 30—45 cm) also the higher release rates were obtained in the treatments supplied with K than without K fertilization indicating that the sub‐soils were also stressed for K in these treatments.     

Ability of different soil extraction methods to predict potassium release from soil in ley over three consecutive years

To avoid over‐fertilization of potassium (K) and thereby a mineral composition in the grass crop not optimal for animal health, estimation of K release from soil is important. The analytical methods should therefore predict the total K release. Furthermore, to minimize costs for the farmers they should provide information which remains valid over a period of several years. The relationship between different soil extraction procedures for K and K uptake in ley for three subsequent years after soil sampling was studied in 19 field experiments on a range of mineral soil types in Norway. Potassium determined with solutions that extracted exchangeable K or parts of exchangeable K (0.01 M CaCl₂, 0.5 M NaHCO₃, 1 M NH₄oAc, or ammonium acetate lactate) was significantly (p < 0.05) related to the K yield only in the 1st yr after soil sampling. Potassium extracted with boiling in 1 M or 2 M HNO₃ was significantly related to the K yield only in the 2nd and 3rd yr. Potassium extracted with cold 2 M HCl, boiling 0.1 M HNO₃ or 0.5 M HNO₃ was significantly related to the K yield in all 3 yr after soil sampling. Among these extractants, 0.1 M and 0.5 M HNO₃‐extractable K were better predictors of K uptake than 2 M HCl‐extractable K. These three extractants release some non‐exchangeable K in addition to exchangeable K. The fraction of 1 M HNO₃‐K extractable with 0.1 M HNO₃ varied from 4% to 45%, whereas from 15% to 78% of 1 M HNO₃‐K was extractable with 0.5 M HNO₃. Consequently, the more easily releasable fraction of K extracted by boiling with 1 M HNO₃ varied considerably between different sites.     

Effects of biochar application on soil potassium dynamics and crop uptake

Biochar has been suggested as a possible means for enhancing soil fertility, including soil potassium (K). However, understanding of the effects of biochar on soil K dynamics remains limited. In this study, a pot trial was conducted to investigate the influence of biochar application (0, 5, 10, and 25 g kg^?1 soil) on soil K dynamics and crop K uptake under a winter wheat–maize rotation in two types of soil (an Alfisol, which contained a high initial available K and an Entisol, which contained a high abundance of 2 : 1 K‐bearing minerals). Changes in soil K in various forms following biochar application and cropping were determined, and their contributions to plant K uptake were evaluated. Soil microbial activity, especially the development of K‐dissolving bacteria (KDB), was evaluated to obtain insights into its effects on the weathering of K‐bearing minerals in the soils. During the wheat growth period, crop K uptake was more enhanced (13.6–40.5% higher) in the Alfisol than in the Entisol due to the higher availability of water‐soluble and exchangeable K, while K fixation occurred in the Entisol because of the higher content of 2 : 1 K‐bearing minerals. During the maize period, crop K uptake was generally higher in the Entisol soil due to the release of non‐exchangeable K. In addition, biochar application enhanced the growth of KDB in both soils, which was associated with changes in soil pH and water‐soluble K. However, improved mineral K release was observed only in the Entisol. It is concluded that biochar application could be a feasible soil amendment to improve soil K availability, but crop K uptake responses may vary depending on soil types. Soils abundant in 2 : 1 K‐bearing minerals tend to prolong biochar effects on crop K uptake. Biochar application enhanced the growth of KDB, which may facilitate mineral K weathering in soils with abundant K‐bearing minerals.     

Evaluation of universal extractants for determining plant available potassium in intensively cultivated soils

Abstract

Eighteen soils from northwestern Switzerland were used to study the value of seven universal extractants (CaCl₂; DB‐DTPA; Mehlich 1, 2, and 3; Morgan‐Wolf; and NH₄OAc‐EDTA) for predicting plant available potassium (K) as compared to a bioassay (a modified Neubauer test with winter rye). These extractants were evaluated on the basis of K uptake by the bioassay test and the soil K status. In order to create the sufficiency level of exchangeable K for plant growth, soils were treated with 0, 20, 40, 80, and 160 mg K/kg of soil. The range of K uptake by the bioassay tests was between 89.2 and 403.0 mg/kg of soil for the control pots, and 136.6 to 495.8 for the K treatments with optimal conditions for plant growth. The average amounts of K extracted by the seven universal extractants, in ascending order, were: CaCl₂ < Morgan‐Wolf < Mehlich 1 < Mehlich 2 < NH₄OAc‐EDTA < Mehlich 3 < DB‐DTPA. The highest simple correlation with K uptake versus the bioassay test was obtained with the DB‐DTPA (r = 0.89) extractant and the lowest with the Mehlich 1 (r = 0.53) extractant. The DP‐DTPA, NH₄OAc‐EDTA and Mehlich 3‐K procedures showed an advantage over K procedures based on water soluble and exchangeable K pools in the investigated soils in order to predict the amount of plant‐available K. A simple regression and the Cate‐Nelson graphic method offer the possibility of assessing the soil‐K status using K values obtained by these universal extractants and to calibrate them against K forms as follows: exchangeable, water soluble, and non‐exchangeable.     

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.     

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.     

Nitrogen and potassium mineralization from winery solid waste composts in sandy and sandy loam soils

This study aimed at quantifying nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) released from winery solid waste (WSW) composts during laboratory incubation to address deficiency in two texturally distinct soils. Composts had 4, 10, 20, 30, 40% (w/w) of filter materials (FMs) mixed with grape marc and pruning canes. The composts were mixed with the soils at equivalent rate of 200 kg N ha^?1 and incubated for 42 days. Quantitatively higher (p < 0.05) ammonium N content was recorded in sandy than sandy loam soil during the incubation duration while exchangeable K was increased in K-deficient sandy soil. Cumulative total mineralized N (TMN) measured during the incubation duration ranged from 59 mg kg^?1 to 672 mg kg^?1 depending on compost type and soil texture while a 10-fold increase in compost FMs content resulted in 144% and 139% increases in cumulative mineralized K in sandy and sandy loam textured soil, respectively. Percent N mineralized from the composts relative to the amount applied during the incubation duration was less than 54% reflecting the composts and soils inherent characteristics. The high ammonium N and K mineralized suggests that farmers must be cautious in utilizing these composts for field crops production due to the potential environmental risks.     

Potassium behavior and clay mineral composition in the soil with low effectiveness of potassium application

ABSTRACT

Increasing exchangeable potassium (ExK) content in soil to an appropriate level is important to mitigate the transfer of radioactive cesium to crops. We focused on a buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) field with a low ExK content, despite the application of K, in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan (Field A), following the Tokyo Electric Power Company Fukushima Dai-ichi (No. 1) Nuclear Power Plant accident in March 2011. We examined the relationship between K concentration and clay mineral composition in the soil of Field A and compared the findings with another field in Fukushima Prefecture (Field B) to clarify whether K applied to the soil was leached or remaining fixed. Pot experiments showed that K concentration in water seepage from pots following irrigation was significantly lower in pots from Field A than in those from Field B. Soil ExK content after soybean cultivation was lower in soils of Field A than those of Field B. These results indicate that K applied to Field A was fixed in the soil. Analysis of clay mineral composition confirmed the distinctive vermiculitic nature of Field A soils. This clay mineralogy would be associated with the higher K fixation ability of Field A than Field B soils. This study demonstrated that K fixation in vermiculite was a factor preventing the increase in ExK content from K application to Field A.     

Evaluation of p as a limiting macronutrient in volcanic ash soils of guatemala

Abstract

P status of soils derived from volcanic ash in Guatemala was investigated. Growth chamber and greenhouse studies were conducted with H‐3 hybrid corn (Zea mays). All plants exhibited P deficiency symptoms and yielded less dry matter when they were grown on soils that received only lime at a rate equivalent to 2,240 and 4,480 kg/ha. The P content of plants was low and correlated with P deficiency symptoms. Application of P (336 and 672 kg/ha) under constant liming corrected the P deficiencies and increased dry matter. In comparative studies, plants grown on a highly fertile, non‐volcanic soil showed vigorous growth and yielded high dry matter. Apparently, P was limiting productivity in volcanic ash soils of Guatemala, and due to low exchangeable Al, addition of only lime did not produce beneficial results. The soils responded to P fertilization and they should be supplied large quantities of this macronutrient.     

Potassium uptake by soybean as affected by exchangeable potassium in soil

Abstract

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) has been shown to have a great capacity to take K from soil, suggesting that it might absorb K from non‐exchangeable forms. In this paper, the effect of level of K fertilization on soil exchangeable K content and K uptake by soybean are discussed. The experiment was conducted on a Typic Haplortox (sandy loam), fertilized with 0, 40, 80, 160 and 240 kg K₂O/ha as KC1 or K₂SO₄. During five years before the experiment, half of the plots received those K rates annually and the other half only in the first three years, providing an opportunity to study the residual effect of applied K. Plant samples were taken at pod filling and at harvest. Soil cores were collected in 20 cm increments down to 80 cm deep at plant emergence, pod filling and after harvest. There was a residual effect of K, and 240 kg K₂O/ha applied in a 3‐year term led to the same yield and K uptake as 80 kg ICO/ha applied annually for 3 years. Fertilized plants absorbed 160% more K than unfertilized ones, but soil exchangeable K accounted for less than 50% of plant uptake; therefore the exchangeable pool must have been replaced in time for soybean uptake. On the other hand, the K recycled from the plant to the soil was not found in the exchangeable form. There was evidence of K leaching deeper than 80 cm, and in addition, the K recycled from the plants may have turned into non‐exchangeable forms in the soil.     

An evaluation of Colwell‐P as a measure of plant‐available phosphorus in soils of volcanic and non‐volcanic origins in the highlands of Papua New Guinea

Various soil test methods including Olsen, Colwell, Bray and Truog have been used to assess the levels of plant‐available P (PAP) in soils situated in the highlands of Papua New Guinea (PNG). Up until now, though, there has been no guarantee that these tests provide valid assessments of PAP in these somewhat atypical organic matter‐rich tropical soils. Furthermore, the critical soil‐P concentrations associated with the tests have been based on studies conducted elsewhere in sub‐tropical and temperate latitudes and as such may or may not be valid for soils or cropping situations in PNG. Soil (Colwell)‐P and leaf‐P data collected during a recent survey of sweet potato gardens in the highlands of PNG were therefore used to determine if useful relationships existed between these variables for different groups of soils, and if they do, to use these relationships to evaluate critical soil Colwell‐P concentrations corresponding to a known critical concentration of P in sweet potato index leaf tissue. Separate, highly significant linear relationships were obtained between leaf‐P and Colwell‐P for soils of volcanic and non‐volcanic origins. Based on these relationships, the critical Colwell‐P concentration for volcanic soils was found to be four times greater than that for non‐volcanic soils, presumably because much of the P extracted from the former soils with alkaline sodium bicarbonate had been chemically ‘fixed’ via sorption and precipitation reactions with sesquioxides and rendered unavailable to plants at ambient soil pH. These critical Colwell‐P concentrations if adopted as benchmark values for the soil groups in question should ensure that the results of future soil fertility surveys involving Colwell‐P assessments are correctly interpreted.     

绿洲盐化潮土施镁对玉米幼苗生长、活性氧自由基代谢和锌营养的影响

【目的】甘肃河西走廊绿洲盐化潮土地玉米缺锌现象非常普遍,土壤镁含量高通常被认为是造成土壤和作物缺锌的重要因素之一,本文探讨了绿洲盐化潮土锌、镁之间的关系。【方法】采用盆栽模拟试验方法,以硫酸镁为原料,设加入Mg2+0、74、147、221、515 mg/kg,形成交换性Mg含量分别为287.3、349.2、411.6、487.9、755.2 mg/kg的混合土壤,来模拟绿洲盐化潮土含镁量低、较低、中等、较高、极高5种类型。在玉米生长期间浇灌去离子水,用重量法控制水分的供应。玉米生长45 d收获,测定株高后,采集心叶下第二个叶片鲜样用于测定叶绿素含量,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量。植株分地上部和根系,烘干粉碎后用于测定锌的含量。【结果】1)较高和极高的土壤交换性镁抑制玉米幼苗的生长。镁加入量为22l mg/kg,土壤交换性镁含量达到487.9 mg/kg时,玉米植株矮小,生长已受到胁迫,加入量为515 mg/kg,土壤交换性镁含量达到755.2 mg/kg时,玉米株高显著降低了14.5%,植株叶缘焦枯,个别植株叶片出现白色条纹,表现出明显的镁中毒症状和典型缺锌症状。2)随施镁量的增加或土壤含镁量水平的提高,玉米地上部和地下部的干重分别降低了11.9%~38.3%和4.6%~23.0%,茎叶干重的降低幅度明显高于根系。3)随施镁量的增加或土壤含镁量水平的提高,玉米叶片叶绿素含量降低了9.4%~45.9%,用量达到515 mg/kg时几乎降低了一半,导致地上部叶片出现枯黄。叶片SOD、POD、CAT活性都是先升高再迅速降低,峰值分别出现在147 mg/kg、74 mg/kg和147 mg/kg,用量达到515 mg/kg时分别降低了49.75%、48.06%和32.21%;MDA含量始终呈增加趋势,增幅在20.39%~183.58%。4)施镁显著降低了玉米幼苗的锌含量和吸收量,但对茎叶和根系的抑制程度不同。与不施镁处理相比,茎叶锌含量降低了4.05%~57.09%,吸收量降低了15.41%~73.55%;根系锌含量降低了7.55%~18.99%,吸收量降低了11.62%~37.40%,不管是锌含量还是吸收量,根系的降低幅度都明显低于茎叶。这也导致锌从根系向地上部的转运显著降低,施镁147 mg/kg时锌的转运率还有46.60%,施镁515 mg/kg时只有34.55%,仅达到不施镁水平的62%。5)随着施镁量的增加或土壤含镁量水平的提高,土壤有效锌含量也显著降低,降幅在11.4%~46.6%,特别是施镁515 mg/kg,土壤交换性镁含量达到755.2 mg/kg时,土壤有效锌含量已降至0.47 mg/kg,超过了土壤缺锌临界值(DTPA-Zn0.5 mg/kg)。【结论】绿洲盐化潮土上的玉米缺锌问题与土壤含镁量水平密切相关,随着施镁量的增加,玉米幼苗的生长受到抑制,株高、干重、叶片中的叶绿素含量和SOD、POD、CAT活性都显著降低,MDA含量显著增加。施镁抑制了玉米幼苗对锌的吸收,对茎叶的抑制程度明显高于根系,导致锌从根系向地上部的转运率显著降低。施镁降低了土壤有效锌含量,用量达到515 mg/kg时,土壤有效锌含量已低于缺锌临界值。     

Dynamics of Potassium in Representative Soil Series of Southwestern Nigeria

Experiments were carried out to evaluate the dynamics of potassium (K) in six representative soil series of southwestern Nigeria to provide guidelines on soil K management. Quantity–intensity (Q/I) approach was used and the Q/I isotherms obtained revealed that all the soils released K before reaching equilibrium, having a negative intercept. The results showed that labile K from the Q/I evaluation was greater than exchangeable K from ammonium–acetate extraction in all the soils, showing that evaluation of soil K by exchangeable K alone may not give an in-depth understanding of the K dynamics in soil. Hence, it should be used in addition to Q/I parameters for a reliable evaluation. The potential buffering capacity obtained ranged from 0.4983 to 1.4272 cmol kg^?1/(mol L^?1)^1/2, indicating that the soils have a low capacity to maintain K concentration for a long period and hence would require frequent K fertilization.     

Mineralogical budgeting of potassium in soil: A basis for understanding standard measures of reserve potassium

The study was conducted to investigate the relationship between some standard measures of soil reserve potassium (K) and soil mineralogy. Eight different agricultural soils from the N temperate and S boreal regions were studied and analyzed both by standard methods (exchangeable K, 2 M HCl‐ and aqua regia–extractable K) and by quantitative mineralogical methods based on X‐ray powder diffraction analysis of spray‐dried bulk soils. Linear regression and multivariate methods were used to assess the relationships between standard measures of soil reserve K and a number of soil chemical, physical, and mineralogical properties. A mineralogical budgeting approach, to estimate total K and its speciation between different mineral phases, is shown to be accurate after validation against total K analyzed geochemically. This approach enabled us to determine that both HCl‐ and aqua regia–extractable K were highly correlated with K in dioctahedral phyllosilicates and extracted 1%–17% and 5%–45% of total K, respectively. Neither extraction showed any obvious relationship to K in feldspar, which is frequently a larger reservoir of K in the soils examined.     

Potassium fertilization on sandy soils in relation to soil test,crop yield and K-leaching

To study the influence of potassium (K) fertilizer rate on soil test K values, crop yield, and K-leaching in sandy soils, four long-term fertilizer experiments (0–60–120–180 kg K ha^?1 a^?1) were initiated in 1988 in northern Germany on farmers fields. Clay content of the plow layer was about 4%, and organic matter between 2% and 5%. Plant available soil K was estimated with the double lactate (DL) method. Small grain cereals (rye and barley) did not respond to K fertilization in the 7-year period even though the soil test value of the K-0 plots decreased from ca. 90 to ca. 30 mg K_DL kg^?1 within 3 years. This value remained almost constant thereafter. Crop removal (including straw) of 75 kg K ha^?1 a^?1 was therefore apparently supplied from nonexchangeable K fractions. Compared to the optimum, no K application reduced the yield of potato by up to 21%, and that of white sugar yield up to 10%. Maximum potato yield was obtained by annually applying 60 kg K ha^?1 which resulted in a test value of 60 mg K_DL kg^?1 soil. Maximum potato yield was also obtained at 40 mg K_DL kg^?1 soil, however, with a single application of 200 kg K ha^?1. Similar results were obtained with sugar beet. This indicates that for maximum yield, even for K demanding crops, it is not necessary to maintain K_DL values above 40 mg K kg^?1 soil throughout the entire crop rotation. Soil test values increased roughly proportional to the K fertilizer level. About 120 kg fertilizer K ha^?1 a^?1, markedly more than crop K removal, was required to maintain the initial K_DL of 90 mg kg^?1. The K concentration of the soil solution in the top soil measured after harvest was increased exponentially by K fertilizer level and so was K leaching from the plow layer into the rooted subsoil. The leached quantity increased from 22 kg K ha_?1 a_?1 in the plot without K application to 42.79 and 133 kg Kha^?1 a^?1 in plots supplied with 60, 120 and 180 kg K ha^?1 a^?1 respectively. Soil test values around 100 mg K_DL kg^?1 on sandy soils, as often found in the plow layer of farmers fields, lead to K leaching below the root zone that may exceed the critical K concentration of 12 mg K T^?1 for drinking water.     

Plant Availability Index by Potassium Exchange Isotherms in Selected Rice Soils of Lesser Himalayas

Potassium (K) exchange isotherms (quantity–intensity technique, Q/I) and K values derived from the Q/I relationship provide information about soil K availability. This investigation was conducted to study Q/I parameters of K, available K extracted by 1 N ammonium acetate (NH₄AOc) (exchangeable K plus solution K), K saturation percentage (K index, %), and the properties of 10 different agricultural soils. In addition, the relationship of mustard plant yield response to the K requirement test based on K exchange isotherms was investigated. The Q/I parameters included readily exchangeable K (ΔK₀), specific K sites (K_X), linear potential buffering capacity (PBC^K), and energy of exchange of K (E_K). The results of x-ray diffraction analysis of the oriented clay fractions indicated that some mixed clay minerals, illite clay minerals, along with chlorite/hydroxy interlayered vermiculite and kaolinite were present in the soils. The soil solution K activity ratio at equilibrium (AR₀) ranged from 8.0 × 10^?4 to 3.1 × 10^?3 (mol L^?1)^0.5. The readily exchangeable K (ΔK₀) was between 0.105 to 0.325 cmol_ckg^?1 soil, which represented an average of 88% of the exchangeable K (K_ex). The soils showed high capacities to maintain the potential of K against depletion, as they represented high linear potential buffering capacities (PBC^K) [13.8 to 50.1 cmol_c kg^?1/(mol L^?1)^0.5. The E_K values for the soils ranged from ?3420 to ?4220 calories M^?1. The percentage of K saturation (K index) ranged from 0.7% to 2.2%. Analysis of variance of the dry matter (DM), K concentrations, and K uptake of mustard plants indicated that there were no significant differences among the adjusted levels of K as determined by the exchange-isotherm curve.