The presence of indigenous glauconite in soils and its effect on soil fertility:II. Soils developed on Gault Clay (Denchworth series)

Abstract

SUMMARYTwelve stagnogley soils of the Denchworth series from East Kent were studied to determine the effect of indigenous glauconite on their fertility. The presence or absence of glauconite was not the major factor controlling the potassium or magnesium status which was largely determined by the nature of the < 2 μm clay. Glauconitic soils had much higher levels of available phosphate than corresponding non-glauconitic soils due to calcium phosphate associated with the glauconite in the parent material. Weathering has partially converted this to aluminium and iron phosphates which were the main forms of phosphate present, especially in the A (0–15 cm) horizons.