Features of the moisture regime of a model sod-podzolic soil when mulching with spruce litter

摘要

During the dry growing seasons of 2011 and 2012, mulching of a sod-podzolic soil with coniferous litter maintained the moisture of the upper soil layer at high and fairly stable levels. By varying the spruce litter thickness, it is possible to maintain optimum conditions for acidophilic plants characterized by varying responses to the soil moisture content. In dry years (PER 0.50.8), the degree of influence of the mulch layer on the soil moisture content is closely related to the magnitude of the moisture deficit calculated for a warm season.