K!

Soil is made of varying amounts of silt, sand and clay.

The proportion of these components determines if a
soil is a sand, loam or clay or any combination of
these. Soil texture has a number of implications for
management because it effects the ability of the soil
to hold water and its ability to withstand cultivation
and compaction.

Source: http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farming-management/soilwater/soil/small-farm-soil-
physical-properties 2
3
4
5
6
 Plants require K for photosynthesis.

ATP production

Translocation of sugars

Protein synthesis

Source: http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farming-management/soilwater/soil/small-farm-soil-
physical-properties 7
 In corn, K strengthens stalks and stems.

Source: http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farming-management/soilwater/soil/small-farm-soil-
physical-properties 8
 Solution K

-Exchangeable K (1-2%)
-Nonexchangeable K (1-2%)
Mineral K (90-98%)

Source: http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farming-management/soilwater/soil/small-farm-soil-
physical-properties 9
10
 Refers to the equilibrium maintained
through exchangeable K and solution K.
K competes with other cations for
exchange sites on clays: high amount of
Ca, Mg, Na and Al can affect the amount of
K sorbed.
Source: http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farming-management/soilwater/soil/small-farm-soil-
physical-properties 11
 Fertilizer Source Commercial Formula
Grade
Potassium 0-0-60 KCl
chloride
Potassium sulfate 0-0-50 𝐾2 𝑆𝑂4
Potassium nitrate 13-0-44 𝐾𝑁𝑂3

Source: Potassium Cycling, Testing, and Fertilizer Recommendations by Nathan Korb

12
 Influence of pH
Root uptake

Rate of Weathering (climate)

Source: http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farming-management/soilwater/soil/small-farm-soil-
physical-properties 13
 As the pH increases, 𝐻 ions are removed +
from cation exchange sites between clay
particles.
Soils with high cation exchange sites have
large reserves of fixed K that can be
slowly released for plant uptake.
Source: http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farming-management/soilwater/soil/small-farm-soil-
physical-properties 14
 Deep – rooted plants can act as nutrient
pumps by removing K in the subsoil and
depositing it in the surface.

Source: http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farming-management/soilwater/soil/small-farm-soil-
physical-properties 15
THANK YOU
someone@example.com
LOCAL FRESH DELICIOUS

17
18
 C) Parent material: Layer of large unbroken rocks.
This layer may accumulate the more soluble
compounds.

Source: http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farming-management/soilwater/soil/small-farm-soil-
physical-properties 19
  A soil profile morphological description applies the soil scientist’s
 model of soil genesis, thus providing a better understanding of how parent
 material influences topographic and drainage controls, stability of the soil, and
 possibly stability of the overall site. The description also provides a framework of
 the major soil formative processes that have shaped the soil’s permeability. A
 complete soil profile description is also the first step towards any additional
 analysis of the soil, which could range from in situ hydraulic conductivity
 measurements to agronomic analyses. This chapter details the methods for field
 description of a soil profile.

Source: http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farming-management/soilwater/soil/small-farm-soil-
physical-properties 20
 O) Organic matter. Litter layer of plant residues in relatively
undecomposed form. A) Surface soil.Layer of mineral soil with most
organic matter accumulation and life within the soil. This layer
eluviates (is depleted of) iron, clay and alunimum, organic
compounds, and other soluble constituents. When eluviation is
pronounced, a lighter colored "E" subsurface soil horizon is
apparent at the base of the "A" horizon. A-horizons may also be the
result of a combination of soil bioturbation and surface processes
that winnow fine particles from biologically mounded topsoil. In this
case, the Ahorizon is regarded as a "biomantle". B) Subsoil This
layer accumulates iron, clay, aluminum and organic compounds, a
process referred to as illuviation.

Source: http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farming-management/soilwater/soil/small-farm-soil-
physical-properties 21