Burnt soils treated with compost and n fertilizer: Effects on seedlings of two native species to Andean-Patagonia Enmienda con compost y fertilización de suelos afectados por incendios: Respuesta de dos especies nativas de la Patagonia bajo condiciones de invernadero

GONZALEZ-POLO, MARINA; AGÜERO, MARIANA L.; CASTÁN, ELISA

ECOLOGÍA AUSTRAL

ASOCIACIÓN ARGENTINA DE ECOLOGÍA

Lugar: Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires; Año: 2020 vol. 30 p. 366 - 379

0327-5477

Human activities have altered the frequency and intensity of wildfires, which can have severe consequences on forest ecosystems. Organic amendments and transplantation of native species are suggested as successful restoration alternatives for burnt areas. Biosolids composts produced in the Andean Patagonian region of Argentina could be used for this purpose, but little is known about the effects of organic amendments on seedling growth of native species. The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of the native species Austrocedrus chilensis and Nothofagus obliqua the addition of compost and/or nitrogen fertilizer in a greenhouse experiment using a volcanic forest soil affected by fire. After 4 years, treatment effects on plant growth and soil characteristics depended on the species. The main effect of biosolids compost on soil fertility was a marked increase in the availability of P from the soils of the two species. N. obliqua biomass increased and changed architectural parameters in response to nitrogen fertilization, but did not show changes due to compost addition. On the other hand, A. chilensis did not respond to N fertilization, but increase its biomass with compost and fertilization. Possibly N addition favored the nutrients uptake, such as phosphorus, calcium and magnesium provided by the compost.