Effects of fertilisation on biomass of Norway spruce on a harsh mountain site

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The organic matter produced and accumulated by plants is a crucial component in the ecosystems on environmentally disturbed sites. The aim of our study was to evaluate the influence of initial fertilising on the aboveground and belowground tree biomass of Norway spruce. The biomass amount, distribution and chemical composition were studied in a young spruce stand growing on an acidified mountain clear-cut tract. The fertilised trees accumulated a higher amount of tree biomass. They nonetheless showed lower concentrations of P, N, and K in some root compartments than control trees, which could be ascribed to a dilution effect. As for the aboveground compartments, no significant differences in element concentrations were proved.

Effects of fertilisation on growth and nutrition of Norway spruce on a harsh mountain site

“…Therefore, the granularity of the amphibolite powder was finer than reported in some earlier studies and the amphibolite parameters presented e.g. by Kuneš et al (2013) should be revised here.…”

Long-term influence of applied amphibolite powder on the chemistry of soil supporting Norway spruce plantation

“…2b). The total amount of K bound in the biomass of trees in the control and amphibolite treatments is not so much different (Kuneš et al 2013a) to fully explain the differences in the soil exchangeable K concentration. Moreover, the soil inside the planting holes of the control trees showed a higher exchangeable K concentration than the soil around them (an opposite pattern to the amphibolite treatment).…”

“…might indicate a raised organic matter accumulation in soil due to an increased litter supply by fertilized trees. The biomass of foliage, branches and twigs and roots was higher in the case of trees fertilized by amphibolite than in the control ones (Kuneš et al 2013a) and we can therefore expect that also the quantity of the aboveground litter and root biomass and necromass produced by fertilized trees were higher. This assumption is supported also by literature (e.g.…”

“…In 2006, we executed a juvenile thinning in the experimental plantation and harvested also several spruce sample trees to analyse them for biomass and nutrients (Kuneš et al 2013a). The juvenile thinning gave us the opportunity to conduct a detailed soil sampling in the immediate proximity of the harvested trees and take the samples of soil also from the space of planting holes.…”

“…Impoverished and acidified soils as well as harsh climate of open clearfelled areas in the summit mountain parts constituted an extraordinarily unfavourable environment for young forest plantations. A prompt replanting was, however, essential (Kuneš et al 2013a) to avert an accelerated mineralization of surface hu-mus and further soil nutrient losses resulting from the absence of a closed forest protecting and sheltering the sites (Vacek et al 2003;Podrázský 2006). To support the growth and survival of young forest plantation under harsh conditions, some slow-release initial fertilizing improving the soil chemistry was often recommended.…”