Low-molecular-weight organic acids and hormone-like activity of dissolved organic matter in two forest soils in N Italy.
Concentrations of aliphatic acids, phenolic acid, and inorganic nutrients, as well as hormone-like activity, were determined in soil dissolved organic matter (DOM) from two forest sites in N Italy showing differing degrees of silver fir regeneration. In the site where silver fir recruitment was abundant, humification processes prevailed, and the soil DOM had a high content in aliphatic and phenolic acids. This enhanced the hormone-like activity in the soil, which could in turn promote growth of silver fir seedlings. In the site with poor fir recruitment, the soil DOM underwent rapid mineralization and was richer in inorganic nutrients, but had lower concentrations of aliphatic and phenolic acids, and lower hormone-like activity.
Nardi
Serenella
S
Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Agrarie, Università di Padova Via dell'Università 16 135020 Legnaro Padova, Italy. serenella.nardi@unipd.it
Pizzeghello
Diego
D
Bragazza
Luca
L
Gerdol
Renato
R
D028202:Abies; D001681:Biological Assay; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006728:Hormones / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D007558:Italy; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D014197:Trees; D014867:Water
D006728:Hormones; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014867:Water