Relationship Between the Quantity/Intensity Parameters of Potassium in Rice Soils of Lesser Himalayas

Soils of low altitude zone contained lower values of quantity parameters (K_L, K_X, K₀), PBC^K and potassium potential than soils of mid and high altitude zones. However, there was no regular pattern in intensity parameters of the soil viz., AR_e^K and -ΔG. Multiple and step down regression analysis revealed positive influence of silt and pH on K adsorbed on non-specific site, negative influence of silt on PBC^K and positive on AR_e^K. Among soil attributes, most of the variation was accounted for by silt and pH on K_L, K₀ and PBC^K; silt and EC on K potential; pH, EC and OC on -ΔG. Positive relationship of AR_e^K with K₀ and negative with -ΔG indicated that higher intensity was associated with higher quantity and lower energy of K removal. Positive relationship between PBC^K and -ΔG indicated that soils low in K supply rate were associated with strongly bound-K.