Abstract
Monosaccharide composition was determined on four major polysaccharide fractions of F and H horizons at three sites under different coniferous species. The major fractions studied were obtained by extraction with dilute acid (B), extraction with NaOH and fractionation of the fulvic fractions (FC), hydrolysis with 1 N H2SO4 (R1) and hydrolysis with 1 N H2SO4 after pretreatment with 72% H2SO4 (R2). Fraction R2 yielded virtually only glucose, and was assumed to represent cellulose, whereas the other fractions yielded six or more neutral sugars on hydrolysis. Marked differences in composition were observed between fractions B, FC and R1, particularly with respect to glucose and rhamnose contents and arabinose:xylose and mannose:galactose ratios. Horizon of origin had relatively less effect on fraction composition, with the exception of fraction B, for which the arabinose:xylose ratio decreased with increasing decomposition. Composition of fraction FC showed little variation between sites, whereas differences in composition of B and R1 fractions appeared to be associated with vegetation differences.

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