Die Bodenkultur - Journal for Land Management, Food and Environment

R. Petzold, B. Schubert und K.-H. Feger:

Biomass accumulation, nutrient allocation and soil ecological effects of a short-rotation poplar plantation in Saxony (Germany)

Summary

In the present study, the above and below ground biomass and therein accumulated elements of a ten year old hybrid poplar plantation (Populus maximowiczii x P. nigra) in the hilly loess region of Saxony (Germany) was investigated. Soil chemical properties of the short rotation plantation (SRP) were examined in comparison to a control plot in an arable field. In contrast to conventional forest poplar management, a higher biomass yield was observed. An optimal nutritional status of the plantation on the former arable land was confirmed. Element export by harvested woody biomass was relatively low and may be currently balanced by atmospheric deposition and nutrient supply from the soil. In the long-term however, the nutritional status of the plantation may be in a need of adapted harvesting and maintenance soil liming. There was no difference between the soil organic carbon pools of the two plots. This finding fits in the contradictory results on soil C sequestration by other studies in SRP in Germany. Key words: Nutrient allocation, carbon sequestration, biomass, short rotation forestry.