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CUTANS (CLAY FILMS) AND POTASSIUM AVAILABILITY TO PLANTS 1
Author(s) -
SOILEAU J. M.,
JACKSON W. A.,
McCRACKEN R. J.
Publication year - 1964
Publication title -
journal of soil science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.244
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1365-2389
pISSN - 0022-4588
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2389.1964.tb00251.x
Subject(s) - illite , kaolinite , potassium , penetration (warfare) , clay minerals , soil water , chemistry , coating , mineralogy , chemical engineering , materials science , geology , soil science , organic chemistry , operations research , engineering
Summary The influences of iron‐kaolinite cutans enveloping soil aggregates on the availability of K within these aggregates were studied. Synthetic iron‐kaolinite clay coatings on illite aggregates were prepared. Macroscopic and microscopic observations of the synthetically prepared aggregates indicated the formation of almost continuous, partially orientated crystalline iron‐kaolinite cutans around the perimeter. There were indications that the presence of the coating tended to stabilize the aggregates. Photomicrographs of wheat root‐aggregate associations revealed intimate surface contact between the two with some penetration and disruption by the wheat roots, both in the coated and uncoated aggregates. Plant growth and potassium uptake were restricted in the presence of iron‐kaolinite coatings on K‐rich illite aggregates compared with plants grown on aggregates without coatings. Moreover, the presence of the coatings resulted in appreciable increases in Ca and Mg accumulation by the plants. Results of this investigation suggest that cutans may modify significantly ion availability and accumulation by plants growing in highly weathered, iron‐rich soils.