CARBON MINERALIZATION IN SOILS WITH THE ADDITION OF Suillus collinitus THAT GROWS NATURALLY AT TWO DIFFERENT ALTITUDES

Abstract

In this study, the effects of Suillus collinitus (Fr.) O. Kuntze (Suillaceae) mushroom additions on soil carbon mineralization were investigated in two different altitudes (160 and 800 m) of the Eastern Mediterranean Region (Osmaniye-Turkey). Therefore, the organic carbon (C) and total nitrogen (N) contents of mushroom and soil samples at two different altitudes were determined, and carbon mineralizations of the control soils without addition (T) and the soils mixed with different rates [equivalent to the soil carbon content (T+1/1), half of this value (T+1/2), and its quarter (T+1/4)] of Suillus collinitus mushroom were monitored by CO2 respiration method for 42 days. The C and N contents of mushroom at 160 m were higher than 800 m, and the contents were found to be significant at P<0.05 and P<0.01 levels, respectively. It was determined that higher C contents and lower N content in soil at 800 m than 160 m (P<0.01). At the end of the 42-day incubation, the cumulative carbon mineralization of soils at 160 m increased with T+1/4 and T+1/2 treatments. However, the increase in the T+1/4 treatment was only found to be statistically significant (P<0.001). The additions of mushroom did not significantly affect carbon mineralization of soil at 800 m. The rates of carbon mineralization of the soils at 160 m were higher than 800 m and mineralization rates decreased with increasing amount of mushrooms mixed in the soil at both altitudes.