EFFECTS OF WOOD- AND PEAT-ASH FERTILIZATION ON NUTRIENT STATUS OF PEAT AND PRIMARY SUCCESSION OF THE GROUND VEGETATION ON CUT-AWAY PEATLAND

摘要

The effects of ash-fertilization on the nutrient status of peat and ground vegetation were studied on cut-away peatland in Finland. Six treatments of wood-ash, peat-ash, biotite or PK-fertilizer were replicated in three plots with different mixtures and quantities. Treatments with wood-ash and biotite increased the pH-value of peat. The mean concentrations of both NH_4 and NO_3 were highest in the unfertilised treatment, so nitrogen is not a limiting factor in cutaway peatland. The concentrations of PO_4 were noticeably increased in ash-fertilized treatments. Ash application increased the vegetation coverage compared to the unfertilised plot.