The effect of mechanical site preparation on sandy soil properties in Scots pine plantations

Sandy soils represent an extreme environment for tree growth. Traditionally, site preparation before planting involves removing logging residues (LRR) and ploughing. An alternative method is incorporating logging residues (LRI) into the topsoil which may enhance tree regeneration and seedling growth...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ján Židó, Milan Kašiar, Marián Homolák, Erika Gömöryová
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences 2024-11-01
Series:Journal of Forest Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/artkey/jfs-202411-0004_the-effect-of-mechanical-site-preparation-on-sandy-soil-properties-in-scots-pine-plantations.php
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1846152109873954816
author Ján Židó
Milan Kašiar
Marián Homolák
Erika Gömöryová
author_facet Ján Židó
Milan Kašiar
Marián Homolák
Erika Gömöryová
author_sort Ján Židó
collection DOAJ
description Sandy soils represent an extreme environment for tree growth. Traditionally, site preparation before planting involves removing logging residues (LRR) and ploughing. An alternative method is incorporating logging residues (LRI) into the topsoil which may enhance tree regeneration and seedling growth. The aim of this study was to assess whether and how different site preparation techniques affect soil physico-chemical and microbial properties over the long term. The study was performed in the Záhorská nížina lowland (Slovakia) in September 2020. Soil samples were taken in two 25-year-old Pinus sylvestris (L.) plantations along five soil profiles in each stand, down to a depth of 30 cm. Results showed a significant increase in carbon and nitrogen concentration and soil moisture in the LRI plot. However, soil pH and phosphorus content significantly decreased. No significant differences were observed in calcium, magnesium, and potassium concentrations between the differently treated plots. The LRI plot also exhibited a significant increase in microbial biomass carbon, N-mineralisation, and catalase activity. The results indicate that different mechanical site preparation methods may impact soil properties over the long term, likely through improved seedling survival and tree growth.
format Article
id doaj-art-28b86b0c915b42239bd596a257b14ff6
institution Kabale University
issn 1212-4834
1805-935X
language English
publishDate 2024-11-01
publisher Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences
record_format Article
series Journal of Forest Science
spelling doaj-art-28b86b0c915b42239bd596a257b14ff62024-11-26T21:29:29ZengCzech Academy of Agricultural SciencesJournal of Forest Science1212-48341805-935X2024-11-01701159360110.17221/54/2024-JFSjfs-202411-0004The effect of mechanical site preparation on sandy soil properties in Scots pine plantationsJán Židó0Milan Kašiar1Marián Homolák2Erika Gömöryová3Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, SlovakiaFaculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, SlovakiaFaculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, SlovakiaFaculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, SlovakiaSandy soils represent an extreme environment for tree growth. Traditionally, site preparation before planting involves removing logging residues (LRR) and ploughing. An alternative method is incorporating logging residues (LRI) into the topsoil which may enhance tree regeneration and seedling growth. The aim of this study was to assess whether and how different site preparation techniques affect soil physico-chemical and microbial properties over the long term. The study was performed in the Záhorská nížina lowland (Slovakia) in September 2020. Soil samples were taken in two 25-year-old Pinus sylvestris (L.) plantations along five soil profiles in each stand, down to a depth of 30 cm. Results showed a significant increase in carbon and nitrogen concentration and soil moisture in the LRI plot. However, soil pH and phosphorus content significantly decreased. No significant differences were observed in calcium, magnesium, and potassium concentrations between the differently treated plots. The LRI plot also exhibited a significant increase in microbial biomass carbon, N-mineralisation, and catalase activity. The results indicate that different mechanical site preparation methods may impact soil properties over the long term, likely through improved seedling survival and tree growth.https://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/artkey/jfs-202411-0004_the-effect-of-mechanical-site-preparation-on-sandy-soil-properties-in-scots-pine-plantations.phplogging residuesmicrobial propertiesphysico-chemical propertiespinus sylvestris (l.)soil preparation
spellingShingle Ján Židó
Milan Kašiar
Marián Homolák
Erika Gömöryová
The effect of mechanical site preparation on sandy soil properties in Scots pine plantations
Journal of Forest Science
logging residues
microbial properties
physico-chemical properties
pinus sylvestris (l.)
soil preparation
title The effect of mechanical site preparation on sandy soil properties in Scots pine plantations
title_full The effect of mechanical site preparation on sandy soil properties in Scots pine plantations
title_fullStr The effect of mechanical site preparation on sandy soil properties in Scots pine plantations
title_full_unstemmed The effect of mechanical site preparation on sandy soil properties in Scots pine plantations
title_short The effect of mechanical site preparation on sandy soil properties in Scots pine plantations
title_sort effect of mechanical site preparation on sandy soil properties in scots pine plantations
topic logging residues
microbial properties
physico-chemical properties
pinus sylvestris (l.)
soil preparation
url https://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/artkey/jfs-202411-0004_the-effect-of-mechanical-site-preparation-on-sandy-soil-properties-in-scots-pine-plantations.php
work_keys_str_mv AT janzido theeffectofmechanicalsitepreparationonsandysoilpropertiesinscotspineplantations
AT milankasiar theeffectofmechanicalsitepreparationonsandysoilpropertiesinscotspineplantations
AT marianhomolak theeffectofmechanicalsitepreparationonsandysoilpropertiesinscotspineplantations
AT erikagomoryova theeffectofmechanicalsitepreparationonsandysoilpropertiesinscotspineplantations
AT janzido effectofmechanicalsitepreparationonsandysoilpropertiesinscotspineplantations
AT milankasiar effectofmechanicalsitepreparationonsandysoilpropertiesinscotspineplantations
AT marianhomolak effectofmechanicalsitepreparationonsandysoilpropertiesinscotspineplantations
AT erikagomoryova effectofmechanicalsitepreparationonsandysoilpropertiesinscotspineplantations