An Assessment of the Ca:Al Ratios of Selected Pennsylvania Forest Soils

Abstract

The Ca:Al status of selected Pennsylvania forest soils was assessed based on data compiled from various soil chemistry evaluations done between 1991–94. A total of 116 horizons (76 mineral, 40 organic) from 39 different soil profiles representing 18 different soil series were evaluated. Ca and Al were determined by extraction with 0.01M SrCl2. Non-linear regression analysis (logarithmic curve) showed a significant (p < 0.01) negative relationship between extractable Ca and Al across all horizons (R2 = 0.64). An acid soil infertility and aluminum stress risk assessment was conducted using the method suggested by Cronan and Grigal (1995). None of the soil organic horizons were found to be at risk; however, nearly 42% of the AE/E horizons were classified at a 50% or greater risk of producing aluminum stress to trees. The B horizons had the highest risk levels, with 91.2% classified at a 50% or greater risk level. The Ca:Al ratios of most of the mineral soil horizons included in this evaluation were low enough to present considerable risk of aluminum stress to trees growing on the sites from which these soils were collected. The application of Ca:Al ratio as a diagnostic tool in declining and nondeclining sugar maple stands in northcentral Pennsylvania generally produced consistent results for soil and roots but not for organic soil horizons and foliage of declining sugar maples.