NUTRIENT CONTENT AND BASE EXCHANGE PROPERTIES OF ORGANIC LAYERS OF FOREST SOILS IN THE LAKE STATES REGION

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Abstract
The nutritive properties, base exchange capacity, and reaction of the important morphological varieties of humus were investigated to the needs of nursery practice. The organic remains formed under normally developed stands of a given composition and on a certain soil type have definite fertilizing value. Hardwood-hemlock duff formed on heavy morainic soils has a fertilizing value unsurpassed by that of any other type of organic remains in the Lake States region. Hardwood-spruce-fir duff, hemlock duff, and hardwood mull duff, formed on heavy outwash or morainic soils, approached in quality the hardwood-hemlock duff. White pine duff from glacial gravelly sandy loams showed a lower fertilizing value than the previously mentioned types. Aspen-white birch duffs from the same sites were similar to white pine duff. Norway pine duff and jack pine duff developed on outwash sandy soils, and true mull humus from hardwood stands, are lowest in fertilizing value. The underlying mineral soils should be taken into consideration in a classification of organic remains for practical purposes. A close correlation between the content of essential nutrients in different types of organic remains and the growth of Norway spruce seedlings when treated with these remains was demonstrated in the greenhouse.

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