Effects of Oxidized Brown Coal Humic Acid

Field experiments were carried out during 2011-2014 at the Research and Experimental 13 Center to Combating Desertification located in the Elsen Tasarkhai station of central Mongolia. The 14 study was aimed to identify the effects of oxidized brown coal humic acid fertilizer on the relative 15 growth rate of several trees for forest rehabilitation. The trees used were Populus sibirica, Salix 16 ledebouriana and Acer tataricum. The experiment was carried out with the concentrations of 2,000, 17 10,000 and 20,000 mg L-1 of humic acid fertilization treatments. The measurement of relative height 18 growth rate (RHGR) was conducted for a period of 4 years. The treatments showed significant 19 differences within humic fertilizer concentrations which differed depending on the species. 20 Compared to the monthly RHGR over the study, the treatment of fertilizers were significantly better 21 for tree growth. P. sibirica in the 10,000 and 20,000 mg L-1 humic acid fertilizers had significant height 22 growth rates. In addition, when the humic acid treatments were compared to control, A. tataricum 23 decreased over the years which were statistically significant for high growth rate and a positive 24 effect of humic acid fertilization treatments was observed. Furthermore, results showed that 25 oxidized brown coal humic acid fertilizers as organic fertilizer can have a positive effect for the 26 growth of A. tataricum during the study years. The results showed that the soil chemical properties 27 EC, CO2, NO3, and K2O were significant among all the treatments compared to the control. The effect 28 on P2O5 statistically significantly increased among all the treatments. However, pH and Mg were 29 not significant effect among all the treatments. Combining the results obtained from the oxidized 30 brown coal humic acid fertilization with sustainable land management practices can help improve 31 soil organics for environmental issues in degraded sandy soil regions. 32