Organic Matter Amendment of Fallow Forest Tree Seedling Nursery Soils Influences Soil Properties and Biomass of a Sorghum Cover Crop
Davis, A. S., Jacobs, D. F., and Wightman, K. E. Tree Planters' Notes 52(1):4-9. 2007.
To maintain adequate soil organic matter, bareroot nurseries may add organic amendments, grow and incorporate cover crops between seedling production cycles, or both. We examined the influence of amendment of nursery soils with organic materials on both soil properties and biomass production of a sorghum (Sorghum spp.) cover crop. Level of organic matter, pH, cation exchange capacity, and concentrations of P, K, Ca, and Mg were all significantly influenced by application of chicken manure, sawdust, compost, or leaves. Above-ground biomass of the sorghum cover crop was highest with application of chicken manure at 8,700 kg ha -1 (7,670 lb ac -1) together with sawdust at 12,000 kg ha -1 (10,580 lb ac -1). We observed a negative influence of sawdust on sorghum biomass production, illustrating the importance of maintaining adequate C:N ratios. Our results suggest that integrating a combination of soil amendments and cover crops could potentially increase long-term organic matter levels, helping to sustain nursery soil productivity.
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Author(s): Anthony S. Davis, Douglass F. Jacobs, Kevyn E. Wightman
Publication: Tree Planters' Notes - Volume 52, Number 1 (2007)
Section: 1
Volume: 52
Number: 1
