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Aims <p>Potassium (K) nutrition is essential in grasslands, but soil K buffering capacity is highly soil-specific, making generic fertiliser recommendations challenging. Highly K-buffered soils have a greater capacity to store and resupply exchangeable K, often resulting in minimal observable changes in soil test K (STK) in response to applications of mineral fertiliser K (MNK). Conversely, low K-buffered soils typically show greater STK responses to MNK input but are typically more prone to K losses via leaching. We hypothesised that identifying soil properties influencing exchangeable STK responses to K input can enhance K fertiliser recommendations.</p> Methods <p>The inherent physical and chemical characteristics influencing STK responses in 22 soils were examined in an outdoor soil mesocosm facility (soil pots of 10 L capacity; 30&#xa0;cm diameter). Perennial ryegrass swards receiving a range of MNK application rates were intensively harvested for two years with annual pot K balances (PKB) calculated. Measurements of changes in STK from one year to the next (<i>delta</i>-STK; Δ-STK) were taken in response to PKB.</p> Results <p>Cation exchange capacity (CEC) was an inherent soil factor that regulated Δ-STK and soils were grouped into three categories of CEC. In year 1, greater PKBs were required to (i) maintain STK and (ii) increase STK concentrations with increasing CEC category. However, less PKB was required in year 2 to maintain and increase STK in higher CEC soils.</p> Conclusions <p>Findings contribute to mechanistic understanding of K buffering and support the development of soil-specific fertiliser recommendations that can be refined in field-scale systems.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

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Integrating cation exchange capacity with soil potassium fertility to improve soil-specific fertiliser recommendations in temperate Irish grasslands: a mesocosm study

  • 期刊论文

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月18日

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  • T. McCarthy,
  • J. Humphreys,
  • P. J. Forrestal,
  • I. A. Casey,
  • D. P. Wall

摘要

Aims

Potassium (K) nutrition is essential in grasslands, but soil K buffering capacity is highly soil-specific, making generic fertiliser recommendations challenging. Highly K-buffered soils have a greater capacity to store and resupply exchangeable K, often resulting in minimal observable changes in soil test K (STK) in response to applications of mineral fertiliser K (MNK). Conversely, low K-buffered soils typically show greater STK responses to MNK input but are typically more prone to K losses via leaching. We hypothesised that identifying soil properties influencing exchangeable STK responses to K input can enhance K fertiliser recommendations.

Methods

The inherent physical and chemical characteristics influencing STK responses in 22 soils were examined in an outdoor soil mesocosm facility (soil pots of 10 L capacity; 30 cm diameter). Perennial ryegrass swards receiving a range of MNK application rates were intensively harvested for two years with annual pot K balances (PKB) calculated. Measurements of changes in STK from one year to the next (delta-STK; Δ-STK) were taken in response to PKB.

Results

Cation exchange capacity (CEC) was an inherent soil factor that regulated Δ-STK and soils were grouped into three categories of CEC. In year 1, greater PKBs were required to (i) maintain STK and (ii) increase STK concentrations with increasing CEC category. However, less PKB was required in year 2 to maintain and increase STK in higher CEC soils.

Conclusions

Findings contribute to mechanistic understanding of K buffering and support the development of soil-specific fertiliser recommendations that can be refined in field-scale systems.

Graphical Abstract