Effects of strip wise tillage in combination with liming on chemical and physical properties of acidic spruce forest soils after clear cuttingIn commemoration of Dr. Hans Gewehr

We investigated the initial effects of strip wise soil loosening (0-35cm depth) on soil chemical and physical parameters by using a deeply working rotary cultivator in combination with liming and mixing of the dolomite with the soil material of acidic forests. The investigations took place 8 months after the treatment. pH values and contents of exchangeable Ca and Mg increased significantly at the tilled depth whereas the content of exchangeable Al and easily soluble P decreased. The rate of mineralisation increased at this depth which was shown by a loss of Corg, Ntot and short-term loss of NO3-N. The treatment led to a mobilisation of Mn at the tilled depth. However, the content of exchangeable Pb decreased due to an increased pH value. Below the tillage depth of 35cm only partly significant changes of exchangeable Mn and NO3-N were found. The total porosity and bulk density at 10-15 and 40-45cm depths were not significantly different from those in the control plot, but the rate of infiltration increased significantly.