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X-Ray Characteristics of Clay Minerals as Related to Potassium Fixation¹

ABSTRACT

Evidence is presented to support on structural grounds the early potassium fixation theories based on entrapment of the potassium ion due to the closure of the interlayer spaces. Field surface samples (0–6 in.) of 15 soils classified as Gray-Brown Podzolics from which the clay was extracted served as experimental material. The soil-clays were saturated with potassium and a divalent cation and the effect on the basal spacings noted. X-ray diffraction results suggested that those soil-clays which showed a strong 10 angstrom line when potassium saturated as contrasted to a strong 14 angstrom line when saturated with a divalent cation were relatively high fixers of potassium. Those soil-clays which showed little or no shifting of the larger basal spacings toward 10 angstroms when saturated with potassium were found to be relatively low fixers of potassium.

¹ Authorized for publication on Nov. 3, 1952, as paper No. 1767 in the Journal Series of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station, State College, Pa. Presented before Section II, Soil Science Society of America, Cincinnati, Ohio, Nov. 20, 1952. Part of a thesis submitted to the Graduate School, Pennsylvania State College, by the senior author in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

² Formerly Graduate Fellow in Soil Mineralogy, now Assistant Professor of Agronomy, Texas A. and M. College, College Station, Tex., and Professor of Soil Technology, respectively. Grateful acknowledgment is made to Dr. J. H. Horton of the Edisto, South Carolina Experiment Station for the potassium fixation values and to the American Potash Institute whose financial support made this work possible.

Received for publication January 2, 1953.