Fine root dynamics in thinned and limed pitch pine and Japanese larch plantations

Abstract

To investigate fine root dynamics after thinning (50% of standing tree) and liming calcium magnesium carbonate [CaMg(CO3)(2)] 2 Mg ha(-1), a 2-year study was performed in 40-year-old pitch pine (Pinus rigida Mill.) and 44-year-old Japanese larch (Larix leptolepis Gord.) plantations in central Korea. Mean total fine root mass (kg ha(-1) SE) in the control, thinned, and limed plots were 1234 +/- 32, 1346 +/- 67, and 1134 +/- 40 for the pitch pine plantation and 1655 +/- 48, 1953 +/- 58, and 1868 +/- 70 for the Japanese larch plantation, respectively. Live fine root mass of pitch pine at 0-10 cm soil depth decreased after thinning and liming. In addition, liming significantly increased dead fine root mass of Japanese larch. Fine root production (kg ha(-1) yr(-1)+/- SE) in the control, thinned and limed plots was 1108 +/- 148, 2077 +/- 262, and 1686 +/- 103 for the pitch pine plantation and 1762 +/- 103, 1886 +/- 277, and 2176 +/- 271 for the Japanese larch plantation, respectively. Fine root turnover rates increased after liming for both plantations. Fine root nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations of Japanese larch (1.012% of N and 0.073% of P) were higher than those of pitch pine (0.809% of N and 0.046% of P) in the control. Also N and P inputs into soil through fine root turnover increased after treatments. Results indicated that comparing fine root dynamics among forest types and after forest management practices might influence differences in soil fertility and underground nutrient cycling.