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Effect of Polymer on Potassium Fixation in Soils.

S. M. lmamul Huq
Department of Soil Science, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000.

H. Ahmed
Department of Cherrtistry , University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh.

T. H. Khan
Department of Cherrtistry , University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Water soluble polymer of tamarind gum isolated from the seeds of tamarind (Tamarindus indica) was used as a soil modifier on two soils: salt affected and normal, and its effect on K fixation was studied. Polymer treatment was effective in decreasing fixation of both native potassium and added potassium in both the soils. However, wizen the soils were treated with the polymer after removing organic matter from them by H₂O₂ treatment, K-fixation was found to have increased in both soils. Attempt was made to correlate observed K-dynamics with the CEC of the soils and the polymer adsorbed on it.

Keywords: Potassium, Tamarind seed, K-fixation, Soil.

Location: Amtali and Polashbari, Bangladesh.

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Fertilizer

Objectives:

To study the effect of tamarind seed polymer as a soil condition on the K- fixation/release capacity of two different types of soils of Bangladesh

Methodology:

Two soil samples representing two soil series, viz., Amtali and Polashbari, were used in the experiment. Amtali soil is salt affected while Polashbari soil is a normal one. The air dry soils were treated with 30% H₂0₂ to remove organic matter from them. Water soluble polymers of tamarind seeds were isolated and purified following the procedure developed. This polymer gum was used to treat the soils 1000 ml of 2500 ppm polymer solution was added to 100 g of soils before and after removal of organic matter. The suspension was stirred for about 15 minutes and was left for 24 hours. The supernatant was discarded and fresh portions of 1000 ml of the polymer solution was added to the soils to ensure the complete adsorption-of the polymer on the soils. The polymer treated soils were washed with distilled water, oven dried at 80°C for 48 h, ground and seived through 90 mesh seive. These polymer treated soils as well as the non-treated soils were then used for the K fixation study. To each category of soils (normal soils, organic matter removed soils, polymer treated normal soils, polymer treated organic matter removed soils) Kin t he form of KCL solution at concentrations of 0, 125, 250 and 500 ppm were added. K fixation in these soils were simulated in the laboratory and studied following the procedures described. pH of the soils was determined by a pH meter at a soil: water ratio of 1:2.5; total carbon wet oxidation method. Organic molter was calculate d by multiplying the %organic carbon with 1.72. CEC of the soils was determined by NH⁺ saturated method. Soil K was extracted by shaking the soil for half an hour with 1N NH₄0Ac at pH 7.0. The soil: extractant ratio was maintained at 1:10. All experiments were done in triplicates and the results presented in the text are averages of three individual/ replicates.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Soil Sci.21(1): 1-7, 1990

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The soil conditioners, mostly polymers of organic origin, are likely to interact with clay minerals in a similar manner as organic matter and effect K fixation in soils. It is known, however , that these polymers interact in a significantly complex way. Polymer adsorption is irreversible and molecular weight dependent. Only limited information is available on the penetration of polymers in the inter-layers of clay minerals and its effect on K fixation. K fixation in modified soil could be related to the extent of adsorption of the gum which is again related to the clay complex present in the soil samples. Detailed investigation with model clay systems needs to be done to elucidate the effect of polymer induced modification on K- fixation phenomena.

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