<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The relationship between introduced trees roots and soils in which they grow is the most important factor influencing the adaptation, growth and health of these trees. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify which physical soil properties enhance or limit the vitality of the studied introduced trees in the Arboretum Mlyňany. Soil properties were studied in seven soil profiles under dense monocultures of <italic>Chamaecyparis lawsoniana</italic>, <italic>Liriodendron tulipifera</italic>, <italic>Juniperus Chinensis</italic>, <italic>Thuja orientalis</italic>, <italic>Thuja plicata</italic>, <italic>Picea orientalis</italic> and <italic>Pinus nigra</italic>. The results showed that all stagnic horizons had exceeded the limit values of total porosity and bulk density, hence these horizons were compacted. Based on the soil and climatic requirements of the examined trees we conclude that the soil properties of their sites in arboretum are suitable for: <italic>Chamaecyparis lawsoniana</italic>, <italic>Liriodendron tulipifera</italic>, <italic>Thuja orientalis</italic> and <italic>Pinus nigra</italic>. Nevertheless, physical properties in profiles under <italic>Picea orientalis</italic> and <italic>Juniperus Chinensis</italic> do not permit rapid drainage of water, what is unfavourable for healthy development of these two species; while <italic>Thuja plicata</italic> demanding high moisture supply is grown on soil with high coarse porosity, a prerequisite of fast rainwater drainage. However, since none of the studied introduced trees had suffered from physiological disorders or diseases, they may be declared acclimatized well in the soil-climate conditions described in this study.</p></abstract>

The relationship between introduced trees roots and soils in which they grow is the most important factor influencing the adaptation, growth and health of these trees. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify which physical soil properties enhance or limit the vitality of the studied introduced trees in the Arboretum Mlyňany. Soil properties were studied in seven soil profiles under dense monocultures of Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, Liriodendron tulipifera, Juniperus Chinensis, Thuja orientalis, Thuja plicata, Picea orientalis and Pinus nigra. The results showed that all stagnic horizons had exceeded the limit values of total porosity and bulk density, hence these horizons were compacted. Based on the soil and climatic requirements of the examined trees we conclude that the soil properties of their sites in arboretum are suitable for: Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, Liriodendron tulipifera, Thuja orientalis and Pinus nigra. Nevertheless, physical properties in profiles under Picea orientalis and Juniperus Chinensis do not permit rapid drainage of water, what is unfavourable for healthy development of these two species; while Thuja plicata demanding high moisture supply is grown on soil with high coarse porosity, a prerequisite of fast rainwater drainage. However, since none of the studied introduced trees had suffered from physiological disorders or diseases, they may be declared acclimatized well in the soil-climate conditions described in this study.

Characteristics of physical properties in soil profiles under selected introduced trees in the Nature Reserve Arboretum Mlyňany, Slovakia

Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra

Folia Oecologica

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

The relationship between introduced trees roots and soils in which they grow is the most important factor influencing the adaptation, growth and health of...

Characteristics of physical properties in soil profiles under selected introduced trees in the Nature Reserve Arboretum Mlyňany, Slovakia

Published Online: Feb 10, 2018

Page range: 78 - 86

Received: Apr 06, 2017

Accepted: Oct 27, 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/foecol-2017-0010

Keywords
acclimatization, compaction, introduced trees, soil aeration, soil moisture, soil porosity

© 2017 Nora Polláková et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Characteristics of physical properties in soil profiles under selected introduced trees in the Nature Reserve Arboretum Mlyňany, Slovakia

Published Online: Feb 10, 2018

Page range: 78 - 86

Received: Apr 06, 2017

Accepted: Oct 27, 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/foecol-2017-0010

Keywordsacclimatization, compaction, introduced trees, soil aeration, soil moisture, soil porosity

© 2017 Nora Polláková et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
acclimatization, compaction, introduced trees, soil aeration, soil moisture, soil porosity