Forms of Potassium in Soils of Agroclimatic Zones of Jammu Region Kaul Y.R.1,3, Agricultural Extension Officer, Gupta R.D.2,3, Ex-Chief Scientist KVK-cum-Associate Dean 1Department of Agriculture, Talab Tillo, Jammu. 2SKUAST-J, 39-Dhakki Sarajan, Jammu Tawi-180001, (J&K). 3Division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Chatha, Jammu. Abstract Different forms of potassium in 50 surface and subsurface soils from various locations of Jammu region (Jammu & Kashmir State), representing 4 agroclimatic zones and 10 great soil groups belonging to 3 orders, were studied. The average contents of various forms of potassium irrespective of agroclimatic zones and great soil groups, were 47, 15, 1061, 3100 and 18500 ppm of water soluble, exchangeable, 1NHNO3 soluble, HCl soluble and total, respectively in surface and 34, 81, 1115, 3700 and 20000 ppm in subsurface soils. Surface soils showed about 42.0 and 32.4 per cent higher content of water soluble and exchangeable K than those of subsurface. Subsurface soils showed 5.0, 10.1 and 10.8 per cent higher content of 1NHNO3 soluble, HCl soluble and total K. The highest average content of water soluble K was obtained in irrigated soils of subtropical and lowest in soils of temperate agroclimatic zone. The soils of temperate zone also showed the highest average values of exchangeable, 1NHNO3 soluble, HCl soluble and total K. The wide variability of different forms of K was attributed to variation in physical and chemical properties and soil mineraology. All forms of K except water soluble, were significantly positively correlated with CEC, OC and clay contents. The water soluble K was positively correlated with exchangeable K. A significant positive correlation between exchangeable and 1NHNO3 soluble, exchangeable and HCl soluble, and exchangeable and total K was also observed. Top |