Fine roots of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) in the Netherlands seven years after liming

Abstract

A liming experiment was initiated in 1988 in which an equivalent dose of 1.6 t/ha CaO was applied to a young and an old stand of Q. robur (planted in 1980 and 19953, respectively), growing on acidic sandy soils in southeast Netherlands. Seven years after the liming treatments, the effects on soil and roots were intensively studied. Prior to liming, the young stand suffered from a deficiency in N, P, Mg, Zn and Fe, whereas the older stand had a deficiency in Mg and Zn. The results indicated that, 7 years after the application of lime, cation availability and soil pH were increased. Liming increased specific root length and number of apices with mycorrhizas per cm of fine root length in most of the profile in the young stand, but stimulated fine root biomass and length only in the top soil of the old stand. The leaf nutrient status was improved the most in the youngest stand, where lime had greatest impact on the area of soil exploited by the root and mycorrhizas system.