Integration of chemical extraction methods and X-ray diffraction can broaden understanding of K+ forms and reserves in soil fractions, and their potential release to plants. The aim of this study was to use chemical extraction methods to estimate mineral reserves of K+ in sand, silt, and clay from subtropical soils; to associate extraction mechanisms with the forms of K+ released; and to monitor the dynamic of K+release in a kinetics study. The sand, silt, and clay fractions of the A and Bt horizons from three subtropical Argissolos (Alfisols) underwent extraction of structural and non-exchangeable K+ forms by the following methods: 0.01 mol L-1 oxalic acid (release kinetics up to a cumulative time of 2,889 h); boiling 1 mol L-1 HNO3; NaHSO4 in the form of crystals; and concentrated HNO3/HF/H2SO4 (total contents). The clay fraction also underwent treatment with 5 mol L-1 NaOH. Dioctahedral smectites in the clay fraction were considered important in the release dynamics of forms of the K+ reserve. The greatest amount of structural and non-exchangeable forms of K+ released was by NaHSO4fusion, and the smallest amount was by HNO3 dissolution. From the data on K+ release kinetics, we conclude that plants grown in the Argissolos studied would be well nourished from non-exchangeable and structural forms of K+ over the years.
non-exchangeable K+; soil mineralogy; smectite; illite; oxalic acid
