CHRONOSEQUENCE CHANGES IN SOIL PROPERTIES OF TEAK (<em>TECTONA</em> <em>GRANDIS</em>) PLANTATIONS IN THE BAGO MOUNTAINS, MYANMAR

Authors

  • R. Suzuki

Keywords:

Taungya, reforestation, second rotation, forest fire, calcicolous species, sustainable management

Abstract

SUZUKI, R., TAKEDA, S. & HLA MAUNG THEIN. 2007. Chronosequence changes in soil properties of
teak (Tectona grandis) plantations in the Bago Mountains, Myanmar. Reforestation of teak (Tectona grandis)
has been practised in Myanmar for more than a century. Since a large volume of biomass is removed when
teak is harvested at the end of each rotation, the conservation of soil fertility during the growth period is
crucial for sustainable production. To assess long-term changes in soil properties, soil samples were collected
from teak plantations of different stand ages (0–96 years) in the Bago Mountains, Myanmar. Accretion
of soil organic matter was not observed even 96 years after teak reforestation. A main factor interrupting
the build-up of soil organic matter was the combustion of forest floor litter by forest fires. In contrast, an
increase in exchangeable Ca was observed in surface soils with increasing age of teak plantations, despite
an initial decrease in the first 20 years after reforestation. Teak generally requires a large amount of Ca and
this explains the initial decrease in exchangeable Ca. However, Ca is returned to the soil surface in the form
of Ca-rich teak litter. Even after combustion of litter, Ca can remain in ash and accumulate in surface soils
over time because the volatilization temperature of Ca is generally higher than the temperature of forest
fires. Soils in teak plantations should be managed considering these mechanisms and the conservation of
litter appears to be important for sustainable soil management in teak plantations.

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Published

2022-06-23

How to Cite

R. Suzuki. (2022). CHRONOSEQUENCE CHANGES IN SOIL PROPERTIES OF TEAK (<em>TECTONA</em> <em>GRANDIS</em>) PLANTATIONS IN THE BAGO MOUNTAINS, MYANMAR. Journal of Tropical Forest Science (JTFS), 19(4), 207–217. Retrieved from https://jtfs.frim.gov.my/jtfs/article/view/747

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