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Germination and Early Growth of Scots Pine and Mat Grass on Soil Treated with Sulphuric Acid and Ammonium Sulphate

Mohammed Shafiul Alam
Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences. University of Chittagong, Chittagong - 4331, Bangladesh.

Sarah J. Wooding
Department of Plant and Soil Science, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 3UU, UK.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The effect of simulated sulphuric acid and ammonium sulphate rain solutions on seed germination and early growth of an important conifer species Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and an understorey grass species mat grass (Nardus stricta) was investigated in a pot experiment using an upland Scottish forest soil derived from granite parent material. The soil was treated for 18 months with 11 simulated rain solutions (1 control, 5 sulphuric acid and 5 ammonium sulphate treatments) before using in the pot experiment. Germination of both the species was highly responsive to the applied treatments, while early seedling growth was less sensitive. Seed germination of both Scots pine and Mat grass was remarkably inhibited by the soils treated with three high acid rain treatments. In contrast, significant suppression of germination of Scots pine was observed due to only the highest ammonium sulphate treatment, but no such significant effect was found for mat grass. No significant early growth was exhibited due to any treatments in both the species. However, a progressive decrease in height extension of Scots pine with higher acid treatment suggested possible growth inhibition.

Keywords: Germination, Growth, Scots pine, Mat grass, Soil

Location: Department of Plant and Soil Science, Aberdeen University, UK

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Non-commodity: Performance

Objectives:

To examine the germination and early growth of an important conifer species Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and an understorey grass species mat grass (Nardus stricta) on soil previously treated with different inputs of both H₂S0₄ and (NH₄)₂S0₄.

Methodology:

The granite soil used in this study has been collected from the A horizon of an upland Scottish forest soil and had been previously treated for 18 months with simulated rain solution. All treatments were applied in the form of artificial rain with a background chemical composition of Aberdeen rain. Acid treatments consisted of five different levels of H₂S0₄(denoted as treatments AI-A5). Ammonium, in the form of (NH₄)₂S0₄, was applied at five different rates (referred to as treatments N1-N5) on weekly basis, giving a range of total ammonium loads of 20.3,39.2,83.1, 171 and 347 kg ha^-1yr^-1 respectively. A control treatment (A0/N0), having only the background composition of the rain water, was also applied. The pH of control (A0/N0) and 5 acid rain treatments (A1-A5) was 5.2, 3.6S, 3.17, 2.94, 2.66 and 2.17 respectively. Initial soil analysis revealed that the soil had a pH (in water) of 4.09, 18.71 g of organic matter, a 144.98 mmol_c, kg^-1 cation exchange capacity and a C:N ratio of 29.7. The soil solution chemical characteristics determined at the end of one year of application of treatments. The composite soil from each treatment was then used to fill 10 pots (0 10.S cm, h 10 cm) to a depth of 9 cm. Five replications per treatment and species were applied. Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and mat grass (Nardus stricta) seeds were obtained from a commercial seed supplier in UK. Ten seeds of each species were planted (at 4 to 5 mm depth) separately in each pot by using a template to maintain uniform distance between the seeds. The experimental pots were arranged in a randomised block design outside the Department of Plant and Soil Science, Aberdeen University, UK. Germination of the seeds was recorded on the date the hypocotyls became visible at the soil surface. Germination of each species was recorded on alternate days after the first germination. At the end of the germination studies, one healthy seedling per pot was retained for monitoring of initial growth, all other seedlings being removed. The seedlings were allowed to grow for five months and then harvested for biomass determination. Before harvesting, the height of the Scots pine seedlings was measured. The whole seedling was then carefully removed from the pot, and soil washed from the roots. The seedlings were separated into shoots and roots, oven dried at 65⁰ C for 48 hours and weighed.

Source of Information: JOURNAL OF FORESTRY & ENVIRONMENT 3:19 - 27.2005

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The results of the current studies clearly showed that excessive acid and nitrogen deposition could have a detrimental effect on the germination rate of conifer and understory grass species and thus could affect natural regeneration. The effect is less pronounced in the very early growth of conifer or grass species. Monitoring over a much longer period is needed to fully assess likely effects on the growth of seedlings. In the natural forest environment, the positive or negative effects observed in experimental conditions may be modified but changes in soil biological and chemical properties by acid and/or nitrogen deposition may, in the long term, have profound consequences for natural regeneration.

Knowledge Management: Journal