EXPERIMENTAL METHODS AND MATERIALSIncubation experiments with an acid, poorly drained soil (Typie Albaqualf) showed that the level of extractable Mn was increased by salt treatments. The relative order of the salt effect was Kb > KCI > KNO3 > K2 SO4 . Soil pH changes accounted for the majority of the KNO3 and K.,SO 4 treatment effects, but the KCI and KBr effects could not be explained an this basis. In addition, ionic strength considerations and differential biological activities were not found to be Factors influencing the K salt effects in the soil system. A hypothesis is presented to explain the KC1 or KBr effect, in which the anion would function in an oxidation-reduction reaction. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the soil treated with KBr contained more extractable Mn than that treated with KCI, in accordance with theory. Theoretical calculations also suggested the possibility that both Cl-and Br-could reduce the lower valency Mn oxides under the experimental soil conditions.Additional Key Words for Indexing: pH effect, redox re.actions. R ESEARCH emphasis regarding Mn availability has generally been placed on those materials that cause a pronounced change in soil pH, thereby changing soil Mn availability; however, some neutral salts, KCI, NaCI (York, Bradfield, and Peech, 1954), and CaCl 2 (Foy, 1964), have increased the Mn content of plants and the exchangeable Mn levels in acidic soils (Foy, 1964). Hamilton (1966) found a positive correlation between Cl-concentration and Mn uptake by oats. The CI salts also increased the Mn content of bush beans and sweet corn more than SO4 and CO 3 salts in an acidic soil such that Mn toxicity symptoms were present in the Cl salt treatments (Jackson, Westcrmann, and Moore, 1966).The earlier study by Hamilton and Lathwell (1965) showed that Cl salts were more effective than other salts in increasing the diffusion of soluble Mn2-away from fertilizer bands of either Ca(H2 PO4 ) 2 or (NH4 ) 2 HPO4 . These salts also diminished the pH in the layer of soil around the Ca(1-1 2 PO4 ) 2 ; however, no relationship was found between the salt-associated soil pH and the amount of soluble Mn.These results indicate that the effect of Cl-on soil Mn availability is different from the effect of other anions in certain agricultural soils, The following research was conducted to determine the magnitude and mechanism(s) of the Cl-effect on the level of extractable Mn.