A study of the effect of agroforestry on the biological state of soil in a seed plantation ofPicea excelsalink

Abstract

In agroforestry studies and experiments there was simultaneous cultivation of young forest plants with other agricultural activities. We found there were differences in the biological characteristics of soils (cultivated area--potatoes, and non-cultivated areas-grassland and Picea-grafted plants). Agricultural cultures utilized mostly nitrogen and there was a higher basic respiration of the soil. They were also differences in the number of bacteria and microfungi, as also a difference in the qualitative spectrum of the micromycetes. The genus Mortierella predominated in the soil under spruce-grafted plants, but it occurred sporadically in the soil where potatoes were cultivated and in the soil of the grassland. Simultaneous forest and agricultural cultivation had an important significance, e.g. better utilization of afforestation areas.