Fine root biomass and Soil properties in Maple (Acer velutinum), Ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), Oak (Quercus castaneifolia) and Pine (Pinus brutia) plantations (Case study: Darabkola Forest-Sari

The present study was conducted to investigate the impact of Maple (Acer velutinum), Ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), Oak (Quercus castaneifolia) and Pine (Pinus brutia) plantations on soil properties and fine root biomass in Darabkola Forest of Sari. The soil samples were taken from top mineral soil layer (10 cm) with using coring method (8 cm diameter ×10 cm deep soil) in each site randomly (n=4). The litter layer was removed from the soil surface before samplings. Fine roots (< 2 mm diameter) were extracted from each core and dried at 70 °C to a constant mass. The moisture content of soil, soil texture, Organic carbon and total N, pH, EC, available Ca, K and p was measured in the laboratory. Results showed that many soil physical and chemical properties was significantly (P