Potassium adsorption capacity and desorption kinetics in soils of Qenberenaweti sub-watershed, central highlands of Ethiopia.

Determining the supply and uptake of K nutrient and the dynamic equilibrium (adsorption-desorption) reactions among the K forms in the soils are not commonly addressed in the highlands of Ethiopia. A study was therefore initiated to determine the adsorption capacity of the exchangeable K and the release kinetics of the non-exchangeable K in the soils of the Qenberenaweti Sub-watershed. Twelve disturbed surface (0-20 cm) soil sub-samples were collected from every farmland which was representative of each pre-identified soil type (Vertic Cambisols, Pellic Vertisols, Pisoplinthic Luvisols, Relictistagnic Cambisols, Pisoplinthic Cambisols, and Plinthofractic Cambisols).