Effects of the Soil Mixed with a Few Soil Amendment Matters on Soil Physical Properties and Young Camphor Tree Growth

Abstract

It is described with this paper how a few kinds of soil amendment matters improve the water-retentivity of the sand what is called “Masa” or “Masa-soil” and a few soil physical properties, and increase growth of young Camphor tree (Cinnamomun camphora) planted in treated soils.
The results of this study are follows:
1. Three kinds of soil amendment matters were adopted;(1) peat-moss, (2) expandedperlite and (3) expanded-obsidian. The soil treated by expanded-perlite had about twice amount of available water content by volume in comparison with non-treated soil, the others had only few amount. Expanded-perlite is a desirable matter to keep young trees alive in dry season without watering.
2. Tree growth also showed the best at the soil mixed with 40% expanded-perlite. Nevertheless, the soil mixed with 10% soil amendment matter almost had not effects on tree growth.
3. Soil physical properties were measured for determining effects to tree growth. As the result of multiple regression analysis, it is concluded that tree growth was simply influenced by soil hardness without regard to available water content and soil solid phase.