The effect of slow-release fertilizers on the soil environment of spread windrows in the Krušné Hory Mts.

Abstract

The current revitalization of forest ecosystems in the Krušne Hory Mts. is carried out through: (i) spreading line windrows, (ii) chemical amelioration. The aim of this research consisted in: (i) assessing basic pedochemical characteristics of spread windrows, (ii) testing the effect of slow-release fertilizers from the Silvamix(R) series and dolomitic limestone on the root ball zone soil five years after application. The results of this study suggest that spread windrows are a suitable environment for forest species: with the only risk being extremely low P concentrations. Our results further show an increase in the amount of soil macrobioelements in the case of Silvamix(R) R and Silvamix(R) Forte, namely P over 125 and 85%; Mg2+ over 84 and 108%; base saturation (BS) over 44 and 40.7%, respectively, compared with a control. Having applied dolomitic limestone, an increase of BS (by 88%), Mg2+ (by 250%) and Ca2+ (by 37%) was observed; there was a reduction in the level of mobile Al3+ (by 25%) compared with the control. Stromfolixyl(R) application did not affect the chemistry of the soil environment.