Abstract
The impact of soil compaction on bulk density and root biomass ofQuercus petraeaL. was assessed after 85 years of reclamation of post-lignite mining soil at Welzow-South, in Lusatia, Germany. Bulk density of core soils sampled from 20 to 25 cm, 100 to 105 cm, and 200 to 205 cm depths and oven-dried biomass ofQ. petraearoots sampled from 0 to 30 cm and at successive depths of 20 cm, up to 210 cm depth at compacted and uncompacted sites were determined. Bulk density was significantly higher at 20 to 25 cm (1.74±0.09 g cm−3) and 100 to 105 cm (1.65±0.06 g cm−3) depths of the compacted site. Likewise, compaction induced significant greater root biomass within the 0 to 70 cm depth with higher bulk density; root biomass at this depth was 2-fold greater compared to the uncompacted site. Root biomass decreased with soil depth and showed significant relationship with depth at both sites. The result indicates that, after 85 years of reclamation, the impact of soil compaction persisted as evident in higher bulk density and greater root biomass.
Highlights
In the Lusatia region of Germany, large tracts of land have been degraded through the extraction of fossilized lignite resources to fuel industrial growth and socioeconomic development
Change in bulk density with increasing depth within uncompacted soil profile was insignificant; values ranged from 1.56 ± 0.11 g cm−3 to 1.59 ± 0.06 g cm−3 (Table 1)
Root biomass of Q. petraea at the 0 to 30 cm, 30 to 50 cm, and 50 to 70 cm depths of compacted soils were significantly greater compared to the uncompacted soils (Figure 1)
Summary
In the Lusatia region of Germany, large tracts of land have been degraded through the extraction of fossilized lignite resources to fuel industrial growth and socioeconomic development. Soil compaction caused by heavy machinery is known to result in increased soil bulk density [5, 6], reduced porosity and markedly limits root growth [7]. Other studies [15,16,17] have shown that soil compaction reduced crop yields due to increased resistance to root growth and decrease in water and Applied and Environmental Soil Science nutrient use efficiency. It seems that the impact of soil compaction on root growth and biomass of different tree species in compacted soils varies considerably [18, 19]
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