Effects of soil preparation on the success of artificial beech regeneration in areas infested by weeds on Južni Kučaj Mountain, Serbia

Abstract

This paper presents the results of research on the effects of prior soil preparation on artificial regeneration by mountain beech forests (Fagenion moesiacae montanum) in weed-covered plots on Južni Kučaj Mountain. Research was conducted on the survival of one-year-old containerized seedlings in weed-covered sites where different auxiliary measures had been carried out, i.e. the following methods of soil preparation: 1) control area, with no preparation; 2) living forest ground cover (blackberry) removed; 3) living forest ground cover removed and soil tilled to a depth of 10 cm; 4) only the soil tilled. The above treatments were performed with five repetitions each for further statistical processing. Analysis of variance showed no statistically significant difference at level p <0.05 in initial seedling height, so that this did not considerably affect the influence of the different soil preparations on seedling growth. Half of the planted seedlings were treated with the chemical “Zeba” in order to establish and monitor its effects and needs for its use. The product has a sponge effect underground, meaning that it can absorb and retain moisture in the soil to be used later by the plants. The analysis carried out showed that only in certain elements were there statistically significant differences in one-year-old seedling height increment (annual shoot length).

Keywords

• Beech forests
• Južni Kučaj
• artificial regeneration
• auxiliary measures
• Serbia