1College of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150040, China.
State Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
*Correspondence author: E. Mail: ylx_0813@yahoo.cn
Online published on 10 April, 2012.
We studied the spatial distribution of total phenols, soil microbial populations and their allelopathic potential in Manchurian walnut and its mixed-species plantations. In mixed-species plantation, there was significant decrease in content of total phenols, but a striking increase in the number of soil microbial populations than walnut plantation and natural secondary forest. The total phenols and microbial populations in walnut and larch-walnut mixed-species plantations were almost homogeneous in distribution. We hypothesize that phenolic acids are allelochemicals responsible for the productivity decline of Manchurian walnut plantation. The large soil microbial population could consume large amounts of phenolic acids, which decreased the phenolic acids in mixed-species plantation.
Actinomycetes, allelopathic potential, azotobacter, bacteria, cellulosedecomposing microorganisms, Juglans mandshurica, Larix gmelini, soil microbial populations, spatial distribution, total phenols
