11 research outputs found

    FENDS - a model to investigate growth and nitrogen dynamics in managed stands of Pinus nigra var. maritima (Ait.) Melville

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    Internal cycling of nitrogen, potassium and magnesium in young Sitka spruce

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    Potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) are essential macro-nutrients, but little is known about how they are cycled within plants. Stable isotope studies have shown that the internal cycling of nitrogen (N) is independent of current nutrient supply in temperate tree species. This is ecologically significant because it allows trees to produce rapid shoot growth in spring independent of current soil N uptake. We used stable isotopes to quantify N, K and Mg in new shoots of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) seedlings and to compare the relative contributions from current uptake and internal cycling. Two-year-old Sitka spruce seedlings were labeled with 15N, 41K and 26Mg in an abundant or a limited supply for one growing season. The trees were repotted in the subsequent dormant season to prevent further root uptake of enriched isotopes and provided with an abundant or a limited supply of unlabeled nutrients until they were harvested in early summer of the following year. The supply was switched for half the trees in the second year to create four nutrient regimes. Enrichment of 15N, 41K and 26Mg in current-year growth was attributed to internally cycled N, K and Mg uptake from the previous year. The internal cycling of N, K and Mg in new growth was significantly affected by the first-year nutrient treatments. The second-year nutrient supply affected the growth rates of the trees, but had no effect on the amounts of N, K or Mg contributed from internal cycling. Thus, internal cycling of K and Mg in Sitka spruce are, like that of N, independent of current nutrient supply

    Tracing N, K, Mg and Ca released from decomposing biomass to new tree growth. Part I: A model system simulating harvest residue decomposition on conventionally harvested clearfell sites

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    It is necessary to assess the effects of removing nutrient-rich harvest residues (brash) from clearfell sites because there is a growing market for this brash as bioenergy. The aim of this study was to use stable isotope techniques in a model system to trace nutrients released by decomposing brash. Labelled biomass was obtained by growing Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) seedlings with a generous or poor nutrient supply containing elevated 15N, 41K, 26Mg, and 44Ca. This biomass was used in two subsequent studies. In this study (Part I of II), the above-ground biomass was harvested and placed on soil in a pot containing a newly planted seedling. Soils from two forests, Ae and Teindland, of contrasting nutritional status were used. A full destructive harvest was undertaken after one growing season. Enriched 15N, 41K, 26Mg, and 44Ca were recovered in the new seedlings. The percentage contribution from labelled biomass to new tree growth was small, but discernible. The N contribution from labelled biomass to new trees was greater in Ae soil, but the base cation contribution was greater in Teindland soil. Results are discussed with reference to the initial nutrient concentrations of each soil. The elevated 15N, 41K, 26Mg and 44Ca in new seedlings indicate that nutrients in brash can make a direct contribution to new tree growth. The success of this model system will provide guidance for the application of similar techniques in field experiments

    Tracing N, K, Mg and Ca released from decomposing biomass to new tree growth. Part II: A model system simulating root decomposition on clearfell sites

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    The decomposing roots of harvested trees are a potential source of nutrients for new trees on both conventional and whole-tree harvested clearfell sites. Roots contain significant reservoirs of nutrients, but little is known about the magnitude and rate of their release. The aim of this study was to use stable isotope techniques in a model system to trace nutrients released by decomposing roots. Labelled biomass was obtained by growing Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) seedlings with a generous or poor nutrient supply containing elevated 15N, 41K, 26Mg and 44Ca. Labelled trees were re-potted in sand and in two contrasting soils types to remove them from the enriched isotope supply. After re-potting, the labelled above-ground biomass was harvested, removed and used in a separate study described previously (Part I of II). In the study described here (Part II of II), new Sitka spruce seedlings were planted alongside the labelled root systems. A full destructive harvest was undertaken after one growing season. Enriched 15N, 41K, 26Mg, and 44Ca were recovered in the new seedlings in both sand and soils. The elevated amounts of 15N, 41K, 26Mg and 44Ca recovered in new seedlings indicate that nutrients released from decomposing roots can make a direct contribution to the growth of new trees on restock sites. The success of this model system will provide guidance for the application of similar techniques in field experiments

    Effects of whole-tree harvesting at three forests in upland Britain

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    Three experiments were established in the 1990s to examine the impact of complete residue (brash) and above-ground biomass removal (i.e. ‘whole-tree harvesting’, WTH) at clearfelling on the subsequent growth and yield of replanted Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis). The sites were of varying fertility; two would now be considered to be of ‘medium’ risk for brash removal, while one would be a ‘high’-risk site. The interactions between brash removal and regular remedial fertilizer applications and weed control regimes were also investigated at each site. After 10 years, trees had been successfully established at all sites, and in most cases, the treatments were close to canopy closure

    Exigências nutricionais da grápia ao fósforo e enxofre em Argissolo Vermelho distrófico arênico: efeito da adubação no crescimento Nutritional demand of grápia to phophorus and sulfur in paleaudalf soil: fertilization effects on growth

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    A grápia (Apuleia leiocarpa Vog. Macbride) é uma espécie de grande interesse madeireiro, encontrando-se, atualmente, bastante dizimada devido à exploração extrativista, sem haver reposição através de reflorestamento. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar os níveis ótimos de adubação de fósforo e enxofre no crescimento de plantas jovens de grápia. As plantas foram cultivadas em vasos contendo 3,5kg de solo Argissolo Vermelho distrófico arênico, sob condições de casa de vegetação não climatizada. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado com seis repetições. Foram avaliados 16 tratamentos em esquema bifatorial completo (4x4), representados pela combinação de quatro doses de P (0, 60, 120 e 180mg kg-1) e quatro de enxofre (0, 10, 20 e 30mg kg-1). A análise do crescimento das plantas foi realizada mensalmente através da altura da planta, diâmetro do caule e número de folhas remanescentes. Aos 130 dias após a emergência das plantas, avaliaram-se ainda o número de folhas caídas, matéria seca das folhas, caule, raízes e total da planta e a relação entre a matéria seca das raízes e da parte aérea. A produção de matéria seca total das plantas jovens de grápia respondeu positivamente à adubação conjunta de P e S, com dose de máxima eficiência técnica estimada de, respectivamente, 204 e 16mg kg-1 de solo. A adubação fosfatada na dose igual ou acima de 120mg kg-1 de solo induziu o aparecimento de clorose foliar típica da deficiência de Fe. A alta disponibilidade de P no solo favoreceu o crescimento da parte aérea em detrimento das raízes.<br>Grápia (Apuleia leiocarpa Vog. Macbride) is an important native forest species that has been in extinction process. The aim of this study was to determine the optimum levels of phosphorus and sulfur fertilization on the initial growth of grápia. Grápia plants were cultivated in pots containing 3.5kg of a Paleudalf soil, under unclimatized glasshouse conditions. Sixteen fertilization treatments were used in a complete bifactorial scheme (4x4), represented by the combination of four levels of P (0, 60, 120, and 180mg kg-1) and four levels of S (0, 10, 20, and 30mg kg-1). The plant growth in height, stem diameter, and number of leaves was analyzed monthly. After 130 days of cultivation other growth parameters were analyzed, as follow: number of fallen leaves, dry weight of roots, stem, leaves, and of the whole plant, and root/shoot dry weight ratio. The dry weight of the whole plant positively responded to the combination of phosphorus and sulfur fertilization, with the maximum technical efficiency level of 204 and 16mg kg-1 of soil, respectively. The phosphorus fertilization above 120mg kg-1 of soil gave rise a chlorosis in leaves similar to that of Fe deficiency. High availability of P in the soil was accounted for best growth of shoots in detriment of roots
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