Accumulation of Nitrogen in Minesoils Seeded to Black Locust

Abstract

Abstract Nitrogen accumulation in minesoils developing in replaced coal surface‐mine overburden seeded with black locust ( Robinia pseudoacacia L.) was surveyed. Nitrogen increased significantly with age from 5 to 18 years at depths of 0 to 5, 5 to 10, and 10 to 15 cm, until it equaled or exceeded that in adjacent, native soils; however, the rate of increase was slower in the lower depths. Averages of the N content in all three depths showed that the oldest age group of minesoils (16 to 18 years) accumulated 2,974 kg/ha under black locust, which was slightly higher than the 2,808 kg/ha of N found in an adjacent native soil under mixed hardwood.