Dynamics of Potassium Fractions in the Calcareous Soils of Gujarat

Abstract

The dynamics of potassium (K) fractions of one hundred sixty nine soil surface (0-15 cm) samples from ten agro-ecological situation of Saurashtra region of Gujarat in the year 2000 and 2010 were determined. The available K and exchangeable K were highest in soils of coastal alluvial deep (CAD) and deep black-trap basalt (DBTB) in both the years. The status of water soluble K, total K and reserve K were highest in soils of shallow black-sand stone (SBSS), while nitric acid soluble K were highest in soils of DBTB  in both the years. In overall, status of water soluble K, nitric acid soluble K, total K and reserve K were improved, while status of available K and exchangeable K were decreased over the span of ten years. The available K exhibited highly significant positive relationship with exchangeable K in all soils. The available K ascribed significant positive correlation with soil CaCO3 in soil group DBTB and soil exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) in soil group river alluvial deep (RAD) as well as soil ESP in overall, whereas it exhibited significant negative correlation with exchangeable-Ca in soil group shallow black-lime stone (SBLS), with soil ESP in soil group medium black-trap basalt (MBTB) and with soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) in soil group DBTB.