The values of different types of acidity of pseudogley soils in the Kraljevo basin under forest, meadow and arable land uses

Abstract

This paper presents the results of active (pH in H2O), exchangeable (pH in KCl), hydrolytic (Y1) and total acidity (T-S) in humus-accumulative (Ah, Ahp) and subsurface (Eg, Btg) horizons of Pseudogley Soils in Kraljevo Basin for 14 soil profiles excavated in forests, 16 in meadows and 24 on arable land. The results showed that acidification was weaker or more pronounced in all three most important tested horizons of Pseudogley Soils, and that the differences in the value of different forms of acidity existed among forest, meadow and arable land uses, as well as between the horizons of the same profile. The chemical reaction of soil solution ranged from very weak to extremely acid. The highest active acidity was found in forest profiles, especially in deeper horizons. Exchangeable acidity ranged from 3.7 to 4.9 pH units, with the forest profiles as the most acid, while the differences between meadow and arable land were less pronounced. The highest hydrolytic acidity was obtained in the forest profiles, while acidity in meadow and arable profiles was significantly lower and the lowest, respectively. Total acidity of the Kraljevo pseudogleys ranged from 6.2 to 24.8 meq/100 g soil and similarly to hydrolytic acidity, the value of total acidity was affected by the land use.