Abstract
Boron (B) retention was studied in the mor humus of podzolic soil from boreal Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) forests. In a long-term liming experiment, ground limestone had been applied 30 years earlier and again 12 years before sampling. Additionally a short-term field experiment was done to separate the effect of increased pH from calcium (Ca) addition. In the short-term experiment the treatments were control and two doses of CaCO 3, CaSO 4 and sodium + potassium (Na + K) carbonate mixture. These treatments were applied in the year before sampling. The B retention data conformed to a Freundlich model better than to a Langmuir model. Considerable B adsorption occurred, probably mostly due to the large organic matter content of mor. Liming significantly increased the quantity of adsorbed B in both experiments. Incubation with added B for 8 weeks considerably increased B retention and reduced the difference between limed and unlimed soil. CaSO 4 had no effect on B retention characteristics, whereas Na + K treatment caused changes similar to those of lime. Therefore Ca probably has little influence on B adsorption in this pH range (3.0–5.9).
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