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The effect of high exchangeable potassium percentage on soil properties and plant growth

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Summary

Within the framework of this study, the influence of high exchangeable potassium percent (EPP) on the physical condition of the soil and on growth is evaluated, assuming the possibility of its improving the structure of the soil.

A greenhouse experiment with a grumusol of different levels of EPP was conducted. The soil was irrigated with equilibrium solutions of two levels of total concentrations. Mechanical and physical properties of the different soils were determined. X-ray analysis of the soils was made. The yields and chemical analysis of the plants were determined. The mechnical and physical properties of the different EPP soils were not significantly different. With increasing EPP, there is a change in the c-spacing of the clay, showing that part of the smectites is transformed into a mixed layered clay.

A marked rise in the yield with increasing percentage of exchangeable potassium in the soil was found. There is a significant interaction between the exchangeable potassium and the uptake of magnesium and phosphorus, which decreases with increasing EPP. The practical consequences are discussed. re]19740222

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Ravina, I., Markus, Z. The effect of high exchangeable potassium percentage on soil properties and plant growth. Plant Soil 42, 661–672 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00009950

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