| Abstract: | The reserve of nonexchangeable potassium (K), threshold levels for release and fixation of intermediate K, and the Gapon exchange selectivity coefficient for K to calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) exchange were studied in soils of widely varying properties, with a view to optimize the efficiency of native as well as added fertilizer K for plant uptake. The illite-dominated soils recorded greater reserve of nonexchangeable K and showed greater cumulative K release. The threshold values of soil K parameters for release and fixation of intermediate K were found to vary with the change in background electrolyte concentration. The soils dominated by illite were found to possess greater K threshold release and fixation values. In general, the fixation threshold level was greater than release threshold level. The Gapon exchange selectivity coefficient for K to Ca exchange revealed that K ions were more tightly held in the specific sites than in planar sites. |
