The effect of Robinia pseudoacacia, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus castaneifolia and Cupressus arizonica tree covers on soil root biomass and nitrogen mineralization

Document Type : Original Article

Abstract

In order study on the effect of man-made tree covers on soil biological (fineroot and coarse root biomass) and biochemical (nitrat concentration, ammonium concentration, nitrification rate, ammonification rate and net N mineralization rate) properties, the forest stands of Robinia pseudoacacia, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus castaneifolia and Cupressus arizonica were considered in the forest park area of Khargoos-dareh located in Tehran. Sampls were excavated in ten points from topsoil (0-10 cm depth) for each tree covers. Soil biological, biochemical and also some physico-chemical properties were measured at the laboratory. According to our data, none of soil physical characrters were significantly affected by tree covers. The soil under C. arizonica was more acidic compared with Q. castaneifolia, F. excelsior and R. pseudoacacia stands. Greater amounts of soil macro elements (N, available P and K) were found under R. pseudoacacia stand and the least was measured under C. arizonica tree cover. The higher values of root biomass (fine root, coarse root and total root) were recorded under Q. castaneifolia species whereas the minimum values were found under C. arizonica trees. In addition the greater amounts of soil biochemical characters were found under R. pseudoacacia and the least was measured under C. arizonica tree cover. Based on our findings, the R. pseudoacacia as N-fixing tree species, presented better performance in soil quality improvement compared with the other studied spcies.

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