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Changes in Exchangeable Potassium Observed on Drying Soils after Treatment with Organic Compounds: I. Release¹

ABSTRACT

When Marshall subsoil samples were dried in an oven at 110°C. for 48 hours, the NH₄OAc extractable K increased from 27 to 210 ppm. This release of K was reduced to varying degrees by adding a wide variety of organic compounds to the soil samples before they were dried. The effect of these additives was not related to their solubility in water, dielectric constant or dipole moment. On the other hand, compounds with a high molecular weight and high boiling point were particularly effective in preventing K release.

All alcohols tested reduced K release. Their effect increased with the amount added and their boiling point. Thus, the effect of normal primary alcohols increased with chain length and the effect of butyl alcohols decreased with chain branching. K release was eliminated by adding normal alcohol with a molecular weight equal to or greater than butanol.

Glycerol, dextrose, sucrose, and n-octanol additions were particularly effective in preventing K release. The relative effect of these additives was related to the volume of each added, not the number of moles or hydroxyl groups involved. The addition of less than 2 ml. of these compounds per 10 g. soil eliminated K release entirely.

¹ Journal Paper No. J-4816 of the Iowa Agr. and Home Econ. Exp. Sta., Ames, Iowa. Project No. 1234.

² Former Graduate Assistant and Professor in Soils, respectively. The senior author is now Associate Professor, Department of Soils, Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph, Ontario.

Received for publication April 1, 1964. Accepted for publication May 25, 1964.