The presence of indigenous glauconite in soils and its effect on soil fertility:I. Soils developed on sandy drift (Barming series)

Abstract

SUMMARYThe fertility, especially potassium status, of the Barming series in East Kent was studied by laboratory and pot test procedures to determine the effect of indigenous glauconite. Half of 12 otherwise similar soils contained appreciable glauconite.Glauconite contributed positively to the potassium status of the soils, especially the B horizons (45–65 cm), and was associated with higher values of exchangeable potassium, cation exchange capacity, nitric acid soluble potassium and intensity of potassium supply as measured by ΔḠ. More potassium was taken up and more released from initially non-exchangeable sources to ryegrass from the glauconitic soils. The available magnesium content of the soils was also positively correlated with glauconite content but available phosphate was not.