Heat Effects on Nutrient Release from Soils Under Ponderosa Pine

Abstract

Litter and mor of ponderosa pine-forest soils released more water-soluble K and P following heating to 200 C than at higher or lower temperatures. The upper A1 horizon released the most water-soluble P and K following, respectively, 200 C and 500 C heat treatments. Total nitrogen decreased in the samples heated in excess of 200 C. Prescribed burning to control noncommercial pine on rangeland apparently would have little detrimental effect on K and P availability and cause a slight reduction in total nitrogen if heating is kept below 200 or 300 C.