Premium
Soil Nutrient Distribution Under and Adjacent to Singleleaf Pinyon Crowns
Author(s) -
Everett Richard,
Sharrow Steven,
Thran Diana
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1986.03615995005000030044x
Subject(s) - soil water , nutrient , chemistry , understory , tree canopy , soil ph , soil horizon , phosphate , canopy , environmental chemistry , botany , soil science , environmental science , biology , organic chemistry
Soil nutrient concentrations were examined by horizon and distance from the tree stem of singleleaf pinyon ( Pinus monophylla Torr. & Frem.). Documenting tree impact on the soil system provided insights into observed understory distribution patterns and variations in understory yield among soil microsites reported previously. Nutrient concentrations were greater under the crowns of trees than in soils between trees. Cluster analysis showed a maximum of 80% similarity in the distribution among exchangeable K + , Na + , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ ; extractable Zn 2+ , Cu 2+ , Mn 2+ , Fe 3+ , SO 2‐ 4 , PO 3‐ 4 ; water soluble C, mineralizable‐N, pH, total soluble salts, and HCO ‐ 3 in relation to soil depth and distance from the tree. Soil nutrients and other measured parameters segregated into two main clusters based on distribution patterns. Extractable PO 3‐ 4 , Fe 3+ , Mn 2+ , Cu 2+ , Zn 2+ , mineralizable‐N, water soluble C, and HCO ‐ 3 were found in highest concentrations at the soil surface. Exchangeable Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Na + , K + , total soluble salts, and pH had highest values in subsurface horizons. Phosphate, K + , pH, total soluble salts, and Na + significantly increased from the interspace soils to soils under the tree canopy. Phosphate, mineralizable‐N, Zn 2+ , Fe 3+ , and HCO ‐ 3 declined rapidly in concentration from surface to subsurface horizons under the tree crown. Small root density was directly correlated to concentrations of mineralizable‐N, Zn 2+ , Mn 2+ , Cu 2+ , and Fe 3+ . Nutrient accumulation in conjunction with soil moisture, light, and allelopathic effects is speculated to confer a competitive advantage to the tree species at the expense of the associated understory.