Soil Cover Improves Soil Quality in a Young Walnut Forest in the Sichuan Basin, China

The soil quality index (SQI) is based on several key indicators and used to assess quality. More than 250,000 ha of walnut saplings (Juglans regia L.) were planted in previous cropland areas the Sichuan Basin, China, using a range cover types that may affect with effects are unclear. We investigated white film (WF), black (BF), shade netting (SN), maize straw (MS) an uncovered control type (CK) chemical biological SQI 0–15 cm layer young forest Basin over 27-month study period. results showed all increased organic matter (SOM), total potassium (TK), available (AK) concentrations (p < 0.05), whereas nitrogen (TN) (AN) greater only soils covered by MS CK 0.05). phosphorus 64.1 193.2% BF treatments, respectively, numbers faunal groups (N) 45.7, 36.4, 37.2, 101.5% higher WF, BF, SN, MS, 0.05); individual (S) 92.3, 36.2, 100.8, 154.5% microbial biomass carbon (MBC) was 15.5, 32.3, 45.0, 77.1% CK, respectively Redundancy discriminant analysis revealed strong positive interactions between (MBC, N, S) SOM, AN, AK concentrations. TN, AK, S, MBC minimum required variables for effective assessment SQI. All four led improved had greatest effect AP, MBC, In conclusion, SOM levels, TK, concentrations, diversity, treatment most cost-effective efficient measure improve fertility, ecological function, overall studied forest.