Cation exchange capacity in relation to the mechanical composition and organic matter status of some soil profiles of Kerala

Abstract

A study was made of the cation exchange capacity of forty soil samples representing fourteen soil profiles of Kerala in relation to the mechanical composition and organic matter status of the soil. The important findings are summarised below: (1) The cation exchange capacity of the different soil groups exhibited wide variations, the sandy soil recording the lowest and the black soil the highest value. With the exception of black, kari and some alluvial soils all other soil groups gave very low values for this property. (2) Correlation between cation exchange capacity and clay for all the samples taken together was positive and highly significant. The same positive relationship was observed when the individual soil groups were considered. (3) The relationship between organic matter and cation exchange capacity for all the samples together was positive but not significant.