Effects of Non-Industrial Wood Ash (NIWA) Applications on Soil Chemistry and Sugar Maple (<i>Acer saccharum</i>, Marsh.) Seedling Growth in an Acidic Sugar Bush in Central Ontario
Research Highlights: In central Ontario, large quantities of non-industrial wood ash (NIWA) are generated and could be used as a forest soil amendment to counteract soil acidification and base cation depletion caused by decades of acid deposition. Background and Objectives: The properties and biogeo...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-06-01
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| Series: | Forests |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/11/6/693 |
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| author | Holly D. Deighton Shaun A. Watmough |
| author_facet | Holly D. Deighton Shaun A. Watmough |
| author_sort | Holly D. Deighton |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Research Highlights: In central Ontario, large quantities of non-industrial wood ash (NIWA) are generated and could be used as a forest soil amendment to counteract soil acidification and base cation depletion caused by decades of acid deposition. Background and Objectives: The properties and biogeochemical responses of NIWA have not been thoroughly explored, and field experiments must be conducted before NIWA can be regulated as a forest soil amendment in Ontario. Materials and Methods: In this study, soil chemistry and sugar maple (<i>Acer saccharum</i>, Marsh.) seedling growth and chemistry were measured in an acidic sugar bush over twelve months following a NIWA field experiment. Plots (2 m by 2 m) were established with sugar maple, white pine (<i>Pinus strobus</i> L.), and yellow birch (<i>Betula alleghaniensis</i> Britt.) NIWA treatments applied at rates of 6 Mg ha<sup>−1</sup> along with untreated control plots. Results: Ash chemistry varied significantly among species and yellow birch ash generally had much higher metal concentrations compared with other species. Following ash application, significant increases in soil pH and calcium and magnesium concentrations were observed, however the level of response varied by treatment. Foliar concentrations of base cations in sugar maple seedlings significantly increased in ash treatments and there was no significant treatment effect on foliar metal concentrations or seedling growth. In roots and shoots, concentrations of several metals (manganese, aluminum, iron, boron, arsenic, cadmium, zinc, copper, lead, chromium, and nickel) increased after ash application, however response was most pronounced in yellow birch ash. Conclusions: These results suggest that application of NIWA can counteract the lasting effects of acid rain by increasing soil pH and base cation concentrations, as well as increasing sugar maple seedling foliar nutrient concentrations, but ashes from species with high metal contents may also increase metal availability to vegetation, at least in the short-term. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T19:01:47Z |
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| id | doaj.art-f3be984a1cff44149f2823464e3c745c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4907 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T19:01:47Z |
| publishDate | 2020-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
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| spelling | doaj.art-f3be984a1cff44149f2823464e3c745c2023-11-20T04:24:11ZengMDPI AGForests1999-49072020-06-0111669310.3390/f11060693Effects of Non-Industrial Wood Ash (NIWA) Applications on Soil Chemistry and Sugar Maple (<i>Acer saccharum</i>, Marsh.) Seedling Growth in an Acidic Sugar Bush in Central OntarioHolly D. Deighton0Shaun A. Watmough1Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, CanadaSchool of the Environment, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, CanadaResearch Highlights: In central Ontario, large quantities of non-industrial wood ash (NIWA) are generated and could be used as a forest soil amendment to counteract soil acidification and base cation depletion caused by decades of acid deposition. Background and Objectives: The properties and biogeochemical responses of NIWA have not been thoroughly explored, and field experiments must be conducted before NIWA can be regulated as a forest soil amendment in Ontario. Materials and Methods: In this study, soil chemistry and sugar maple (<i>Acer saccharum</i>, Marsh.) seedling growth and chemistry were measured in an acidic sugar bush over twelve months following a NIWA field experiment. Plots (2 m by 2 m) were established with sugar maple, white pine (<i>Pinus strobus</i> L.), and yellow birch (<i>Betula alleghaniensis</i> Britt.) NIWA treatments applied at rates of 6 Mg ha<sup>−1</sup> along with untreated control plots. Results: Ash chemistry varied significantly among species and yellow birch ash generally had much higher metal concentrations compared with other species. Following ash application, significant increases in soil pH and calcium and magnesium concentrations were observed, however the level of response varied by treatment. Foliar concentrations of base cations in sugar maple seedlings significantly increased in ash treatments and there was no significant treatment effect on foliar metal concentrations or seedling growth. In roots and shoots, concentrations of several metals (manganese, aluminum, iron, boron, arsenic, cadmium, zinc, copper, lead, chromium, and nickel) increased after ash application, however response was most pronounced in yellow birch ash. Conclusions: These results suggest that application of NIWA can counteract the lasting effects of acid rain by increasing soil pH and base cation concentrations, as well as increasing sugar maple seedling foliar nutrient concentrations, but ashes from species with high metal contents may also increase metal availability to vegetation, at least in the short-term.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/11/6/693wood ashsugar maple (<i>Acer saccharum</i>, Marsh.)metal toxicityforest soil amendmentscalciumnon-industrial wood ash (NIWA) |
| spellingShingle | Holly D. Deighton Shaun A. Watmough Effects of Non-Industrial Wood Ash (NIWA) Applications on Soil Chemistry and Sugar Maple (<i>Acer saccharum</i>, Marsh.) Seedling Growth in an Acidic Sugar Bush in Central Ontario Forests wood ash sugar maple (<i>Acer saccharum</i>, Marsh.) metal toxicity forest soil amendments calcium non-industrial wood ash (NIWA) |
| title | Effects of Non-Industrial Wood Ash (NIWA) Applications on Soil Chemistry and Sugar Maple (<i>Acer saccharum</i>, Marsh.) Seedling Growth in an Acidic Sugar Bush in Central Ontario |
| title_full | Effects of Non-Industrial Wood Ash (NIWA) Applications on Soil Chemistry and Sugar Maple (<i>Acer saccharum</i>, Marsh.) Seedling Growth in an Acidic Sugar Bush in Central Ontario |
| title_fullStr | Effects of Non-Industrial Wood Ash (NIWA) Applications on Soil Chemistry and Sugar Maple (<i>Acer saccharum</i>, Marsh.) Seedling Growth in an Acidic Sugar Bush in Central Ontario |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of Non-Industrial Wood Ash (NIWA) Applications on Soil Chemistry and Sugar Maple (<i>Acer saccharum</i>, Marsh.) Seedling Growth in an Acidic Sugar Bush in Central Ontario |
| title_short | Effects of Non-Industrial Wood Ash (NIWA) Applications on Soil Chemistry and Sugar Maple (<i>Acer saccharum</i>, Marsh.) Seedling Growth in an Acidic Sugar Bush in Central Ontario |
| title_sort | effects of non industrial wood ash niwa applications on soil chemistry and sugar maple i acer saccharum i marsh seedling growth in an acidic sugar bush in central ontario |
| topic | wood ash sugar maple (<i>Acer saccharum</i>, Marsh.) metal toxicity forest soil amendments calcium non-industrial wood ash (NIWA) |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/11/6/693 |
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