THE EFFECT OF LIME AND MAGNESIA ON THE SOIL POTASSIUM AND ON THE ABSORPTION OF POTASSIUM BY PLANTS

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Abstract
A critical review of the literature reveals that the apparent confusion concerning the effect of lime and magnesia on the soil K and on the absorption of K by plants has arisen largely because of failure to evaluate properly the exptl. conditions under which the results were obtained and to distinguish the Ca-K interactions in the soil from those in the plant. Addition of lime to soils contaning neutral salts (of strong acids) may have no effect, may decrease, or may increase the conc. of K in soil solution, depending upon the initial degree of base saturation of the soil. In the absence of neutral salts, addition of lime will invariably liberate the adsorbed K even when an insufficient amt. is added to neutralize all of the exchangeable H. Exptl. facts regarding the influence of lime on the uptake of K by plants can be readily interpreted in the light of these effects of lime on the soil K, particularly on the Ca/K ratio of the soil soln. When the exptl. conditions are properly evaluated, the apparently conflicting results reported concerning the intricate Ca-K relationships in soils and in plants are indeed in fairly good agreement.