Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
Abstract Soil from the surface horizon of a highly weathered soil (Acrohumox) from tropical Queensland was mixed with crushed basaltic cinders and incubated in a moist condition for 12 months in the laboratory. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) increased from 9 to 14 meq/100 g in direct relationship to the rate of application and degree of fineness of the scoria, as well as to the duration of incubation. The increase in CEC was accompanied by an increase in exchangeable calcium, magnesium, and potassium. The results suggest that crushed basaltic scoria could be successfully used to prevent cation nutrient losses from highly weathered soils of the tropics.
G. P. Gillman (Thu,) studied this question.