Basissättigung

Basissättigung is a German term that translates to "base saturation" in English. It is a concept used primarily in soil science and soil chemistry to describe the degree to which the cation exchange sites of a soil are occupied by basic cations. Basic cations are those that are typically considered to be essential plant nutrients and have a positive charge. These include calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), potassium (K+), and sodium (Na+).

The cation exchange sites on soil particles, particularly on clay and organic matter, have a negative charge. These sites attract and hold positively charged ions (cations) from the soil solution. When the soil is saturated with basic cations, it indicates a high availability of these essential nutrients for plants. A low base saturation, conversely, suggests that a significant portion of the cation exchange sites are occupied by acidic cations, such as hydrogen (H+) and aluminum (Al3+).

High base saturation generally implies that the soil is less acidic and more fertile, as it indicates a greater supply of nutrient cations. Conversely, low base saturation is often associated with acidic soils, which can limit nutrient availability and potentially lead to toxicity from elements like aluminum. The percentage of base saturation is a valuable indicator for assessing soil health, determining liming requirements, and making informed decisions about fertilization and land management practices.