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Acta Prataculturae Sinica ›› 2016, Vol. 25 ›› Issue (7): 34-41.DOI: 10.11686/cyxb2015435

• Orignal Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Assessment of forest soil fertility using an integrated index based on the Nemerow meth

DENG Xiao-Jun1, CHEN Xiao-Long2, TANG Jian1, WANG Hui-Li1, HAN Hua3, XU Yong-Teng3, HE Wen-Ping3   

  1. 1.Guangxi Key Laboratory of Superior Timber Trees Resource Cultivation, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Forestry Research Institute, Key Laboratory of Central South Fast-growing Timber Cultivation of Forestry Ministry of China, Nanning 530003, China;
    2.Guangxi Daguishan State Forestry Farm, Hezhou 542899, China;
    3.Tian’e Linduo Forestry Farm, Tian’e 547300, China
  • Received:2015-09-14 Revised:2015-12-28 Online:2016-07-20 Published:2016-07-20

Abstract: This study evaluated soil fertility in a forest utilized for timer production in Daguishan State Forest Farm using the Nemerow method. Soil pH, organic matter, total N, P and K, available N, P, K, Cu, Zn, B and Fe were selected as indicators. The coefficients of variation of these indicators ranged between 5.02%-65.69%. Organic matter content of the studied soil was moderately low with an average of 28.75 g/kg. Similarly, total N and available N were moderate or moderately high with averages of 1.64 g/kg and 135.5 mg/kg, respectively. However, P was very low with an average P2O5 content of 0.82 g/kg and an average available P content of 1.5 mg/kg. Average K2O and available K contents were 23.76 g/kg and 51.8 mg/kg, respectively, moderately low. Soil fertility of the forest could be considered as “nitrogen rich, low phosphorus and moderate potassium”. Trace elements were also variable; available Zn and Fe were 2.03 mg/kg and 32.11 mg/kg, respectively, suggesting moderate levels while available B and Cu were 0.18 mg/kg and 0.41 mg/kg, respectively, indicating low or very low levels. The integrated soil fertility index of Daguishan forest was 0.85. The fertility indices of eucalyptus and pine forests were 0.77 and 0.82, respectively, equivalent to grade Ⅲ, while fir forest had a fertility index of 0.90, equivalent to grade Ⅱ. It was found that soil fertility of the study area was mainly limited by available P, B and Cu.