RELATION DU POTASSIUM EXTRAIT PAR EUF ET QUELQUES MÉTHODES CHIMIQUES AVEC LES PROPRIÉTÉS DU SOL ET LE RENDEMENT DES PLANTES
The objectives of this study were to compare the EUF procedures (50, 200 and 400 V) and some chemical methods (1 N NH4OAc, 0.01 M CaCl2, 1 N HNO3) in order to estimate the K fertility levels of 60 Quebec soils. The EUF-50 V-K quantities corresponded to CaCl2-K while EUF-(50 + 200 + 400 V) to acetate-K. The relations between EUF-(50 V)-K, EUF-(200 V)-K to Acetate-K were improved when introducing clay contents, CEC values and K saturation levels. On the other hand, soil pH, carbonate and exchangeable (Ca+Mg) contents had significant effects on the relations between EUF-400 V-K and Acetate-K. A greenhouse experiment, using ryegrass as the test plant, was carried out on these soils with two treatments (complete fertilization with and without K). EUF-400 V-K, Acetate-K and EUF-(50 + 200 + 400 V)-K were the best criteria to estimate relative yields and K uptake by the plant. EUF-(50 + 200 V) underestimates K fertility level for soils rich in clay, having high pH (H2O) or exchangeable (Ca+Mg) contents. Higher correlation coefficients for K uptake by the plant were obtained in multiple regression where EUF-(50 + 200 V)-K and EUF-400 V-K were taken into account. The relation between plant K uptake and K values determined by all methods were improved by considering the K saturation levels on cation exchange sites. Acetate-K contents explained up to 88% of the variation in K uptake when K saturation level was introduced. Finally, this method can overestimate the K fertility levels for soils rich in clay or organic matter. Key words: Electro-ultrafiltration, available K, soil properties, exchangeable K