Edaphic growth conditions of Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. in Nikitsky Botanical Garden

Abstract

A soil survey was carried out under the collection plantings of Prunus cerasifera Ehrh., growing on the experimental site of the Nikitsky Botanical Garden. During the research, the morphological structure, granulometric composition, pH, content of carbonates, humus, exchangeable potassium, oxalate-soluble (amorphous) iron were studied using generally accepted methods of soil analysis. The content of mobile forms of micronutrients and heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Mn, Pb, Cd) was determined in ammonium acetate extract at pH=4.8. It was revealed that the soils of the experimental site are characterized by favorable physical, chemical properties and agrochemical parameters for cherry plum plants, including uniform distribution of humus along the profile, slightly alkaline reaction, low content of carbonates, high content of available potassium. Among the mobile forms of trace elements and heavy metals, exceeding of the maximum permissible concentration was found only for copper, the source of which is copper-containing fungicides. The slightly alkaline reaction of the soil contributes to a decrease in the mobility of micronutrients and heavy metals, therefore, even with their excessive content in the soil, there was no excess of maximum permissible concentration in cherry plum fruits.