Kalk-Kali-Law

There is ion competition between the cations of calcium and potassium when they are absorbed into the plant. That means: A high Ca supply suppresses K uptake and vice versa. On the other hand, Ca ²⁺ ions can stabilize the cell walls and reduce the escape of potassium from the cell and even stimulate K ⁺ ion uptake. With a calcium occupancy of 70 to 80% and a potassium occupancy of 3 to 5% on the exchanger, both cations are in equilibrium in the soil solution. In the case of very high potassium levels in the soil, liming ensures calcium nutrition and reduces the luxury consumption of potassium. After liming, an increase in the potash levels available to plants is observed in the soil as a result of the ion exchange .

See also

• Soil depletion
• fertilizer
• Liming
• Cation exchange capacity
• Soil colloids

literature

• Paul Ehrenberg : "The Lime-Potash Law". New advice on avoiding lime fertilization failures. At the same time, an attempt to elucidate the negative effects of large amounts of lime on plant growth. Berlin 1919 (also published in: Landwirtschaftliche Jahrbücher , Vol. 54, 1920, pp. 1–159).
• Max Schmidt: Lime fertilization - healthy arable soils - optimal yields . 1st edition. DLG-Verlag, Frankfurt 2013, ISBN 978-3-7690-2017-5 (series: Agrarpraxis compact )