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Rate of Potassium Release from Fixed and Native Forms¹

ABSTRACT

The rate of release of K from fixed and native forms was compared utilizing a biotite-vermiculite system. Although X-ray diffraction patterns of oriented aggregates showed little difference between native biotite and weathered biotite containing fixed K, there was a marked difference in the rates of K release from the two materials. The release from native biotite was maintained at nearly a constant rate while approximately 50% of the K was removed, whereas with the fixed forms, rate of release decreased with time. The relationship between the logarithm of the rate of release and time was linear. The slopes of these curves were directly related to the extent of weathering which the weathered biotite had undergone before being subjected to the fixation reaction. The ease of release of fixed K therefore appears to be a function of the extent of weathering of the mica. This may be the result of loss of charge in the mineral during weathering.

¹ Authorized for publication by the Director as Journal Article No. 2149 of the Michigan Agr. Exp. Sta., East Lansing.

² Instructor and Associate Professor in Soil Science, respectively.

Received for publication April 9, 1959. Accepted for publication May 20, 1959.