Seasonal effects of liming, irrigation, and acid precipitation on microbial biomass N in a spruce (Picea abies L.) forest soil

Abstract

Seasonal effects of liming, irrigation, and acid precipitation on microbial biomass N and some physicochemical properties of different topsoil horizons in a spruce forest (Picea abies L.) were measured throughout one growing season. The highest biomass N was recorded in autumn and spring in the upper soil horizons, while the lowest values were obtained in summer and in deeper horizons. The clearest differences between the different soil treatments were apparent in autumn and in the upper horizons. Liming increased the microbial biomass N from 1.7% of the total N content to 6.8% (Olf1 layer) and from 1% to 2% of the total N content in the Of2 layer. The main inorganic-N fraction in the deeper horizons was NO inf3 sup- . An increase in cation exchange capacity was observed down to the Oh layer, while soil pH was only slightly higher in the Olf1 and Of2 layers after liming. The effects of irrigation were less marked. The microbial biomass N increased from 1.7% of total N to 4.8% in the Olf1 layer and from 1% to 2% of total N in the Of2 layer. In the Olf1 layer an increase in C mineralization was observed. Acid precipitation decreased the microbial biomass N in the upper horizons from 4.8% of total N to 1.8% in the Olf1 layer and from 2% to 0.5% in the Of2 layer. No significant changes in soil pH were observed, but the decrease in cation exchange capacity may result in a decrease in the proton buffering capacity in the near future.