The ash content of the plough layer of peat lands cultivated by different methods

Authors

• Yrjö Pessi Society of Peat Cultivation, Experimental Station Leteensuo

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.71554

Abstract

The results of this investigation justify the conclusion that the ash content of peat increases under cultivation through the effects of the administered fertilizers and soil improving agents. The ash content is increased in a particularly remarkable degree by addition of mineral soil as a soil improving agent. The ash content in the plough layer of cultivated peat lands which had received an addition of mineral soil as long as 37 years ago was found to be quite high. This would seem to indicate a prolonged effect of mineral soil on the properties of the plough layer. The increase of the ash content in the plough layer of cultivated peat land is obviously one of the factors responsible for the phenomenon that long-term cultivation of peat land slowly deprives the peat of its original character.