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Effect of pH on Leaching Losses of Potassium Applied to Forest Nursery Soils
Author(s) -
Krause H. H.
Publication year - 1965
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1965.03615995002900050037x
Subject(s) - lysimeter , leaching (pedology) , soil water , leachate , potassium , irrigation , environmental science , saturation (graph theory) , soil ph , chemistry , soil acidification , leaching model , environmental chemistry , agronomy , hydrology (agriculture) , soil science , soil fertility , geology , biology , mathematics , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry , combinatorics
A lysimeter experiment was conducted to determine the effect of soil pH on adsorption and leaching of applied K. The experimental soil was a fine sand. The pH was adjusted to 4.3, 5.1, and 6.4. The soils of different reaction were treated at increasing rates with K 2 SO 4 and exposed to rainfall and irrigation. Periodic collection and analysis of leachates over 1 year showed that K losses from strongly acid (pH 4.3) soil were 1.7 to 2.4 times higher than losses from moderately acid (pH 5.1) soil, and 2.5 to 3.5 times higher than losses from weakly acid (pH 6.4) soil. Seasons of greatest K leaching were late fall, early spring, and wet periods during summer. The results show a need for an adjustment of rate and frequency of K fertilization according to pH and base saturation of individual nursery soils, and stress the importance of liming of strongly acid nursery soils.