The organic matter content and pH of forest soils in the Brodnica Forest Division
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Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Instytut Uprawy Nawożenia i Gleboznawstwa – Państwowy Instytut Badawczy w Puławach
Abstract
Description
The study was conducted in the Górzno and Czarny
Bryńsk Forest, ranges which belong to the Brodnica Forest Dis-
trict. Brunic Arenosol (Dystric) soils predominate in the Brodnica
Forest Division (over 77% of the total area). The aim of this study
was to analyze the granulometric composition, the organic matter
content and pH values in H2O and KCl at three genetic horizons
of soils (A – humus, B – sideric and C – parent material) within
the crown extension of four tree species: English oak, European
beech, Scots pine and Norway spruce. Silt and clay had a signifi-
cantly higher share of A-horizon compared with B and C hori-
zons. Soil samples collected under the crowns of Norway spruces
were characterized by a significantly higher percentage of sand
and a significantly lower percentage of silt than soil samples col-
lected under beech and pine trees. In the analyzed soil horizons,
pH values increased significantly with depth regardless of tree
species. Tree species had a significant effect on the pH of the
analyzed soils and the organic matter content of A horizon. Soil
samples collected under the crowns of Norway spruces had sig-
nificantly lower pH values than those collected under pine trees.
Soil samples collected under the crowns of Norway spruces had
significantly higher organic matter content than those collected
under oak trees. There was a very high negative correlation be-
tween organic matter content and the values of pH measured in
1 M KCl, and a high negative correlation between organic matter
content and the values of pH measured in H2O suspension.
Keywords
soil, pH, organic matter, tree species
Citation
Polish Journal of Agronomy
2020, 43, 70–75