Influence of liming and vitality fertilization on trace element concentrations in Scots pine forest soil and plants

NH4NO3 extractable Mn, Zn and Pb decreased significantly in the humus O1 and/or O2 layers, mostly as a consequence of increased soil pH after liming and fertilization. No statistically significant treatment effects were found in extractable Cu or HNO3-soluble element concentrations in the soil samples collected at the treated sites. Manganese was the element showing the most apparent treatment effect in the plants, with a decrease to 20-71% of the initial amount in many of the plant compartments. Even though there is a short-term decrease in the concentration of this element in the plants, this element is rarely in deficient concentrations in acid forest soil. For Cu, Zn and Pb the effects of liming and vitality fertilization on plants were more sporadic than and not as pronounced as in the case of Mn.