Growth and production of leaf litter nitrogen by Alnusincana in response to liming and fertilization on degenerated forest soil

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Abstract
Degenerated and nonproductive forest soils having a very low content of nitrogen and organic material can probably be restored by cultivation of nitrogen-fixing plants such as Alnus spp. The effects of liming and N fertilization on enhancement of early growth and biomass production of Alnusincana (L.) Moench were studied in northern Sweden. Survival was over 90% in all treatments. During the 1st year, root growth was more rapid than shoot growth, reflecting acclimation of the nursery grown plants to the field conditions. In the following 5 years, the height increase and the production of leaf litter biomass and leaf litter nitrogen were significantly higher in limed than in unlimed alders. N–P–K fertilization also had a positive effect, while N alone had a negative effect. During the 6th year, limed alders, at a spacing of 1.5 × 1.5 m, produced 440–710 kg leaf litter ha−1 containing 11–17 kg Nha−1. Unlimed alders produced 50–250 kg leaf litter ha−1 containing 1–6 kg Nha−1. Therefore, the simple and inexpensive treatment of liming at planting considerably enhanced the growth and production of leaf litter nitrogen by A. incana at the site.