The effect of potassium chloride on ion dynamics and – budget in a slightly acidic forest soil

In a laboratory study, KCI‐ a neutral salt ‐ equivalent to 300kg K/ha and 272 kg CI/ha was applied to the surface of undisturbed columns of a forest soil (Terra Fusca Rendzina) under steady state unsaturated flow conditions (1.0 cm/day). The effluent of the five soil columns was collected daily, and pH, cation‐ and anion concentrations were measured. Most of the applied K ions were retained in the top 10cm of the soil and moved in decreasing amounts further down the column. Among the cations studied Ca ++ , Mg ++ , and Na + were lost from the system, K + , NH 4 , Fe +++ , Mn ++ , H + , and Al +++ were retained. Nitrate and sulfate concentrations in the leachates showed a temporary decrease when CI passed through the columns. This decrease was accompanied with a decrease in pH. CI − , NO 3 − , and SO 4 − exhibited leaching losses. Besides these anions, HCO 3 − played an important role.