The determination of the cation exchange capacity (CEC) and the relative fractions occupied by the most common cations is crucial for soil chemical characterization and soil fertility diagnostic. These variables and the exchangeable Al3+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations have been determined in the routine soil analysis by official laboratories in the States of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina since 1994. The relationship between the SMP index and the H + Al value (potential acidity) was studied in order to establish a mathematical equation for determination of the H + Al value which can be used on CEC calculation in a routine soil analysis. The study was carried out at the soil laboratories of the Universidade de Passo Fundo (UPF) and Universidade do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) in 1995. The H + Al was extracted by a solution of calcium acetate 1.0 mole L-1, pH 7.0. Both this and the pH SMP determination were performed in 113 soil samples. These and other data previously obtained by other researchers composed a 250 sample group, formed by representative soils of both states, submitted to a correlation analysis. Significant correlation was observed between the pH SMP and the H + Al extracted with calcium acetate. The equations log (H + Al) = 3.9014 - 0.391 SMP (R² = 0.90) or ln (H + Al) = 8.9832 - 0.9004 SMP (R² = 0.90), whose values of H + Al are expressed in mmol c dm-3, can provide the estimation for H + Al value by using the pH SMP.
potential acidity; hydrogen; aluminum; cation exchange capacity