Distribution of different forms of potassium in soils of district Ganderbal of Kashmir region

Abstract

The study on distribution of different forms of potassium (K) in district Ganderbal of Kashmir region was undertaken on fifteen surface samples (0-25 cm), five each from maize, apple and rice growing fields. The soils were loamy to clay loam in texture, slightly acidic to neutral in reaction. The calcium carbonate content was higher in mid-altitude apple growing soils as compared to high-altitude maize and low-altitude rice growing soils. The organic carbon content was higher in soils under maize compared to soils under rice and apple. The water soluble, exchangeable and available K fractions were higher in rice soils compared to the other soils. The fixed, non-exchangeable, lattice and total K fractions were higher in soils under apple and maize compared to rice soils. The different fractions of K were in the order: total K > lattice K > fixed K > non-exchangeable K > available K > exchangeable K > water soluble K. The contents of all the forms of K were positively correlated with organic carbon and clay contents but negatively correlated with calcium carbonate and sand contents.