Forest floor plant response to lime and fertilizer before and after partial cutting of a northern red oak stand on an extremely acidic soil in Pennsylvania, USA

Abstract

Liming and fertilization have been suggested as a means to remedy calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) deficiencies on acidic, base poor forested soils. However, little is known about the effect such treatments may have on forest floor plants in North America. The objective of this study was to determine if additions of dolomitic lime (6600 kg/ha) and fertilizer (110 kg/ha K 2O, 220 kg/ha P 2O 5) would alter forest floor plant communities. Forest floor plants were monitored for 2 years prior and 2 years after partial cutting on plots that received lime and fertilizer and on control plots. Forest floor plant diversity was unaffected by lime and fertilizer application. Deer-tongue grass ( Panicum clandestinum L.), white violet ( Viola blanda Willd.), blue violet ( Viola sororia Willd.) and Carex spp. increased in number on limed and fertilized plots. While not affected by lime and fertilizer, numbers of dwarf ginseng ( Panax trifolius L.) and mayflower ( Maianthemum canadense Desf.) decreased after cutting, while numbers of fire cherry ( Prunus pensylvanica L.) and hay-scented fern ( Dennstaedtia punctilobula (Michx.)Moore) increased after cutting. A general trend toward decreased numbers of red oak ( Quercus rubra L.) seedlings was also noted. While there was no effect of liming and fertilization on overall forest floor plant diversity, numbers of some species increased significantly.