The content and composition of humus in pseudogleys of slopes and plains in South Mačva and Pocerina

Abstract

The scope of this paper was to examine the influence of two subtypes of pseudogley soil (of planes and of slopes) and three different land uses (forest, grassland and arable land) on the content and composition of humus in south Mačva and Pocerina. The humus content was determined by dichromate method, and hu­mus components were measured using the method proposed by Kononova and Bel­cikova. The studied soils are mostly characterized by low humus content. Humus content is significantly higher in pseudogleys of plains compared to pseudogleys of slopes. Pseudogleys under grass and crops have significantly lower content of humus compared to the pseudogleys under forest. Important characteristic of hu­mus composition of surface horizon is dominant portion of fulvic over humic acids. Pseudogleys of plains have statistically significant higher amount of humic acids. The composition of humus is significantly different in pseudogley under forest compared to pseudogleys under grass and crops: it has more fulvic acids, less humin, and lower Ch:Cf ratio. Changes in pseudogley land use have produced better humus quality.

Keywords

• pseudogley subtypes
• land use
• humus content
• humus composition