Phosphorus fractions and phosphomonoesterase activities in sandy soils under a temperate savanna and a neighboring Mongolian pine plantation

Abstract

To assess the effects of savanna afforestation on soil phosphorus (P) transformations in eastern Horqin Sandy Land, China, P fractions and phosphomonoesterase activities were examined in two soil horizons (0–5 cm and 5–20 cm) under a savanna and an adjacent 30-year-old Mongolian pine (Pinus sylvestris L. var. mongolica Litv.) plantation on a P-deficient semi-arid sandy soil. The results showed that all soil P fractions and phosphomonoesterase activities decreased with soil depth at both sites except that labile organic P under the plantation was constant with soil depth. In contrast to savanna, soils under Mongolian pine plantation had lower phosphomonoesterase activities and concentrations of all P fractions (with an exception of Al-P), lower proportions of organic P and Ca-P in total P, and higher proportions of labile P, Al-P and Fe-P in total P. These results suggested that P transformations mainly occurred in surface soils, and P recycled through litter-fall was the most important source of plant available P. Mongolian pine afforestation enhanced the bioavailability of both organic P and Ca-P, simultaneously reduced soil P pools, indicating that protection of forest floor and P fertilization are necessary to maintain the sustainable functioning of Mongolian pine plantations.

Keywords

Afforestation / P fractions / P bioavailability / Phosphomonoesterase activity / Sandy soil