Soil Characteristics of Specialized Plant Garden in Korea National Arboretum

Abstract

This study was carried out to provide the basic informations on the sustainable management methods for soil resources by determining the soil physico-chemical properties of specialized plant gardens (Sedum garden, Fern garden, Medicinal plant garden, Ornament plant garden, Rare & endemic plant garden, and Shrub garden) and forest in Korea National Arboretum. Soil particle size showed similar distribution except for Sedum garden and Medicinal plant garden. Soil bulk densities were significantly difference among forest and specialized plant garden (p<0.05) and ranged from 0.79 g/cm3 in Sedum garden to 1.13 g/cm3 in shrub garden. Sedum garden and medicinal plant garden showed significantly low of soil moisture content (p<0.05). Soil pH ranged from 4.87 in Sedum garden to 5.41 in rare & endemic plant garden. Soil organic matter content ranged from 2.61% in Sedum garden to 4.71% in forest. The lower value in total N content was 0.11% in Sedum garden and 0.18% in medicinal plant garden. Available phosphorus was significantly lower in Sedum garden and medicinal plant garden than in other specialized plant garden of ranging from 16.90 ppm to 20.34 ppm (p<0.05). The contents of inorganic NH4+ and NO3- were significantly different among the specialized plant gardens (p<0.05). The ratios of NO3- to total inorganic N content ranged from 28% in Sedum garden to 44% in fern garden and forest. N mineralization and nitrification rate were also significantly different among the specialized plant gardens (p<0.05).