Spatial distribution of fungal sclerotia and correspondence with soil properties in surface soils beneath Fagus forest, Akita pref.

Abstract

This study was performed on Fulvic Andosols beneath Fagus forest, Akita prefecture. Topographical measurement, vegetation survey and surface soil sampling were carried out at 10x10 meter quadrat. By subdividing the quadrat into 2x2 meter grids, totally 36 soil samples were collected and the distribution of sclerotia and some chemical analyses were examined using air-dried soil samples. Sclerotia were likely to distribute in soil with relatively high value of solid phase, not so low pH (but acidic enough), low content of carbon and thin O horizon, and high content of Alp (ie. high ratio of Al-humus bonding)