SOIL CHARACTERISTICS UNDER SPONTANEOUS BIOCOVER OF PHALARIS ARUNDINACEA L. IN SERBIA

Abstract

To investigate the quality of soils suitable for the growth of reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) L., soil samples and plant material were taken from six different sites in Serbia where the plant grows spontaneously. The basic fertility of the soil was analysed to determine the soil type on which the reed canary grass grows and the content of essential nutrients in the plant material. The soil samples from sites where reed canary grass grows had different pH values, ranging from strongly acidic to almost neutral. The soils differed in humus content, ranging from slightly humic to very humic. The nitrogen content and the available forms of phosphorus in the soil samples were low, while the content of available forms of potassium was medium to well supplied. The lowest nitrogen content and the highest content of potassium and phosphorus were measured in the stalks of reed canary grass.