Stability of Norway spruce plantations in western Denmark - soil nutrient aspects

Soil samples from 57 Norway spruce stands on sandy and nutrient poor soils in western Denmark were analysed for their content of exchangeable calcium, potassium and magnesium. The content of the three elements showed a strong spatial variation and the content of Mg and Ca correlated significantly with stand yield class. Estimations on nutrient export by harvest of stem and bark and a comparison with soil content, suggest that severe nutrient deficiencies may occur on many sites in the future. A soil weathering assay applied to selected sites, indicated that the long-term Ca supply is particularly critical, whereas the long-term supply of K and Mg from weathering of soil minerals, is more stable. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.