Relationship Between Compositions of Grey Hair-Grass (Corynephorus Canescens (L.) P. Beauv.) Tissues and Soil Properties During Primary Vegetation Succession

Abstract

This study focuses on the concentration of trace-, microelement- and organic components in initial horizons of sandy soil (Arenosole) and of the tissues of Corynephorus canescens, a pioneer species typical of unstable environments that initiates pedogenic processes by enriching poor quartz sand in organic- and mineral matter from its own tissues. Soil samples were taken from a root-zone humus horizon (A) averaging ∼15 cm in thickness and from parent rock. Concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, Na, Fe, Si, Al, Zn, Mn, Co, Cd, Pb, Sr, Mo, C, N and P in plant material and soil were analyzed. High concentrations of Si (6368±16.3 mg·kg-1), K (2310±165.2), Ca (302±24.6 mg·kg-1), Fe (2196±316.3) are found in the above-ground part of the plant whereas Si (9150±20), Fe (5948± 43), K 3752±3.21) and Al (2370±52.6 mg·kg-1) dominate in the roots. Soil organic carbon (OC) contents in the humus horizon and in parent rock are 0.276±0.041 and 0.206±0.041%, respectively. The concentration of nitrogen in the humus horizon shows a high (0.92) correlation with OC. The soil shows both acid (4.2±0.51 in KCl) and low-acid (5.1±0.23 in H2O) characteristics. Heavy-metal contents differ significantly among the study sites. Organic compounds of Corynephorus canescens and of soil organic matter (SOM) were investigated by pyrolysis-GC/MS (Py-GC/MS). In the organic content of the grey hair-grass tissues, typical compounds such as normal chain aliphatics (29%), and furane- and pyrane derivatives (12%), dominate. Nitrogen-containing substances such as amines, nitro compounds, heterocycles and amines are also important (27%). The main ecopedological role of C. canescens involves the fixing of loose sand thanks to its well-developed root system. The xeromorphic structure of stems and leaves allows it to function in such extreme open areas of unstable ground and high insolation. The initial stage of the formation of a humus horizon involving Corynephores canescens is documented.