IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/caa/jnljfs/v70y2024i11id54-2024-jfs.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

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

Author

Listed:
  • Ján Židó

    (Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia)

  • Milan Kašiar

    (Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia)

  • Marián Homolák

    (Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia)

  • Erika Gömöryová

    (Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia)

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Ján Židó & Milan Kašiar & Marián Homolák & Erika Gömöryová, 2024. "The effect of mechanical site preparation on sandy soil properties in Scots pine plantations," Journal of Forest Science, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 70(11), pages 593-601.
    • Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:70:y:2024:i:11:id:54-2024-jfs
    DOI: 10.17221/54/2024-JFS
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/54/2024-JFS.html
    Download Restriction: free of charge
    File URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/54/2024-JFS.pdf
    Download Restriction: free of charge
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.17221/54/2024-JFS?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:70:y:2024:i:11:id:54-2024-jfs. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    We have no bibliographic references for this item. You can help adding them by using this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Ivo Andrle (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.cazv.cz/en/home/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.