Much of the early work on cation exchange is referred to in clay
mineralogical texts. For instance Thompson in 1850 was perhaps one of
the first to systematically studied cation exchange. Way in 1850 also
showed that cation exchange was restricted to the clay fraction and that
it was connected with the silicate compounds in the soil. From this date
on and especially entering into the period when Albrecht did his work
much research was done in expanding the knowledge base of cation and
base exchange. Enter Albrecht whose basic work in stripping the clay
fraction of nutrients and then adding them back in set proportions to
provide the most favorable plant growth was at that time the cutting
edge of research.
You are correct in stating that very little information exists in the
soil science literature which looks at the effect of balancing the
cations in the soil. Perhaps it is the nature of research that
insufficient funds and time exists to study such a phenomena. Although I
regard myself as mealy a student of soils I have studied the
conventional soil science texts and also very thoroughly the work of
Albrecht. What I find compelling about Albrecht's work is the depth of
knowledge that this man possessed of natural systems and the interaction
that occurs between these systems. He was not content to study just what
nutrients should be added to soils in what proportions to provide the
best plant growth but then took this plant material and fed it to
animals to ensure that the nutrient balance would provide the most
appropriate feed to give these animals health and fertility over
successive generations. His papers on calcium, legumes and protein
building was at the time pretty new in soil science terms. Amongst other
things the correct addition of calcium prevented dampening off in
seedlings and resulted in stronger cell wells which I guess would assist
in minimising fungal problems and possibly be less prone to insect
damage?
Nitrogen supply via legumes was to Albrecht secondary to establishing
the correct balance of calcium, magnesium and potassium. The building up
of organic and humic material in the soil with the concomitant increase
in microbial biomass ultimately increases the nitrogen reserves of the
soil and is an important part of the Albrecht scheme of things.