Retention and Cation‐Exchange Properties of Organic Matter in Coastal Plain Soils

Abstract Soil organic matter is quite important as a source of cation‐exchange capacity in Coastal Plain soils. The amount of organic matter in well‐drained soils is directly related to the clay content. In the very poorly drained soils this direct relationship was not apparent. The cation‐exchange capacity of soil organic matter varied from 62 to 279 me. per 100 g. The nature of the exchangeable hydrogen of organic matter was measured by the use of several replacing solutions. A portion of the exchangeable hydrogen in soil organic matter was found to come from strong acid groups.