Impact of different Eucalypt species on forest soil properties in Guilan province

• Main Authors: Hosayn Sardabi, Ahmad Rahmani, Behnam Hamze, Mohammad Hasan Assareh, Mahmood Ghorany
• Format: Article
• Language: fas
• Published: Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands of Iran 2010-03-01
• Series: تحقیقات جنگل و صنوبر ایران
• Subjects: eucalyptus; Soil; fertility; Compaction
• Online Access: http://ijfpr.areeo.ac.ir/article_107743_7d79a9da70d84e6179d1ba85f54c562e.pdf

The aim of this study was to investigate the positive or negative effects of eucalypt plantation on different soil properties. For this reason, an eucalypt trial consisting of six species: E. camaldulensis, E. macarthurii, E. maidenii, E. rubida, E. saligna, E. viminalis which were planted in 1983 in Sheikh-Neshin state of Shafarud Company in Guilan province under experimental design of Randomized Complete Blocks with four replications at 2×2 m spacing and total number of 100 seedlings at each plot, was used for this research. Soil samples were taken from each plot, including four control ones by auger up to 60 cm. depth (totally 28 samples). Soil morphology was studied by digging three soil profiles at the eucalypt site and two adjacent parcels, including poplar plantation and the oak forest. Soil samples were taken from four soil horizons of each profile (totally 12 samples). Results showed that the species have differed significantly in respect to only few soil properties, including silt percentage, litter dry weight, bulk density, penetration resistance, pH and phosphorous amount. The soil profiles at the eucalypt site and the two adjacent sites of poplar plantation and oak forest consisted of four horizons, including A, AC, B and C. Root development at eucalypt, poplar and oak sites limited to 100, 85 and 150 cm soil depth, respectively. Overall, eucalypt plantation was able to improve soil structure and porosity, particularly at topsoil. Although there was intensive livestock traffic in the eucalypt site, but soil compaction was significantly less than the control plots and there was not significant difference between the eucalypt species in response to penetration resistance. Eucalypt plantation after 22 years reduced soil pH, but it was less than one unit.