施肥对短枝木麻黄幼苗总酚和可溶性缩合单宁含量的影响

研究了施用氮肥和磷肥对短枝木麻黄幼苗总酚(total phenolics,TP)和可溶性缩合单宁(extractable condensed tannin,ECT)含量的影响,探讨短枝木麻黄单宁形成的养分效应.结果表明:施加氮肥使短枝木麻黄幼苗小枝的TP和ECT含量显著降低,支持碳氮平衡假说和生长分化平衡假说,但对氮含量没有显著影响,从而导致TP/N和ECT/N降低;施加磷肥对TP和ECT含量没有显著影响;随着处理时间的延长,短枝木麻黄幼苗小枝TP含量升高了9.91%～14.32%,而ECT含量降低了14.32%～298.88%;TP或ECT与有机物质含量的关系则相反,表明不同类型单宁的合成途径不同,但由于TP和ECT均与氮含量无显著相关性,故不支持蛋白质竞争模型;在贫瘠土壤条件下,TP/N和ECT/N的水平较高,有利于提高短枝木麻黄的防御水平,降低凋落物的分解率,减少养分损失,从而保持较高的生产力.     

福建东山短枝木麻黄小枝氮磷含量及其再吸收率季节动态

对福建东山赤山林场短枝木麻黄纯林小枝中的N和P含量、N ∶ P比、养分再吸收率的季节动态进行研究.结果表明,随着小枝的成熟和衰老,各季节N和P的含量依次降低,其中衰老小枝中N和P含量分别为(3.97±0.21)～(8.64±0.58) mg · g~(-1)和(0.04±0.03)～(0.10±0.03) mg · g~(-1),基本上表现为N和P的完全再吸收.成熟小枝N ∶ P比的季节动态介于(18.67±3.24)～(37.98±1.32)之间,均高于16,表明木麻黄的生长受到不同程度的P限制.N、P再吸收率的季节变化分别为(51.02±4.66)%～(63.00±8.61)%和(81.24 ±5.08)%～(91.78±5.84)%,P再吸收率显著高于N.N和P的再吸收率之间以及成熟叶中N、P含量与二者再吸收率之间没有显著相关性,但在衰老叶中存在显著负相关,表明养分再吸收程度越高,其再吸收率就越高.因此,木麻黄通过小枝衰老过程中的养分再吸收,减少养分的损失,从而适应贫瘠的立地条件.     

不同抗性短枝木麻黄种源苗木接种青枯病菌后酚类物质含量的变化

为了解短枝木麻黄(Casuarina equisetifolia)抗青枯病的机理,对接种青枯病菌(Ralstonia solanacearum)后短枝木麻黄的单宁和黄酮含量变化进行了分析。结果表明,不同抗性短枝木麻黄种源小枝的总酚和单宁含量呈现不同的变化趋势,高抗、中抗种源均呈现先升高后降低的变化趋势,峰值均约为126 mg g–1,但中抗种源的峰值出现时间较晚,而易感种源则呈逐渐升高趋势。抗、感种源木麻黄接种青枯菌后,小枝中缩合单宁含量均呈现逐渐升高的趋势,但高抗种源的缩合单宁含量均显著高于易感种源,增加70.33%。抗性种源黄酮含量呈S型上升趋势,易感种源则持续缓慢升高。这表明接种青枯病菌后,抗、感短枝木麻黄种源表现出不同的防御特征,次生物质含量增幅越大,抑菌抗氧化能力越强,短枝木麻黄表现出的抗性越强。     

短枝木麻黄小枝单宁对其幼苗生长及单宁含量的效应

以短枝木麻黄(Casuarina equisetifolia)小枝中提取的单宁处理其幼苗,探讨其化感作用及其对幼苗单宁含量的影响.结果表明,单宁对木麻黄幼苗的生长有显著抑制作用,且随着处理浓度的升高,抑制作用逐渐增强,处理15 d后,单宁的化感作用对芽长的抑制程度显著高于根长.单宁处理后,幼苗体内单宁含量也发生显著变化,随着处理浓度的升高而逐渐降低,尤其是总酚和可溶性缩合单宁的含量,单宁溶液的浓度与被处理幼苗体内单宁含量间有显著的线性负相关.因此,短枝木麻黄体内的单宁会对同种的幼苗产生化感作用,这种化感作用不仅影响幼苗的生长和发育,也会通过影响幼苗体内次生代谢物质的形成而影响幼苗对食草动物和其他不利因素的抵抗能力.     

干热河谷区不同林龄赤桉叶中养分含量和再吸收率的比较及其线性回归分析

以种植于干热河谷区的赤桉(Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh.)幼龄林、中龄林和成熟林为研究对象,分析了赤桉鲜叶和凋落叶中养分(包括N、P、K、Ca、Mg和Na)的含量和化学计量比,并计算各养分的再吸收率;在此基础上,对鲜叶和凋落叶中各养分的含量与再吸收率进行线性回归分析.结果表明:成熟林赤桉鲜叶和凋落叶的有机碳、全氮、全磷、全钾和全钠含量总体上高于幼龄林,而全钙和全镁含量则低于幼龄林;且鲜叶中的全氮、全磷、全钾、全钠和全镁含量总体上高于凋落叶,而有机碳和全钙含量则低于凋落叶.成熟林赤桉鲜叶和凋落叶的C:N比、鲜叶的N:P比和N:K比以及凋落叶的K:P比和Ca:Mg比均低于幼龄林,但其鲜叶的K:P比和Ca:Mg比及凋落叶的N:P比和N:K比则高于幼龄林;且不同林龄鲜叶的C:N比、K:P比和Ca:Mg比均低于凋落叶.各林龄赤桉叶的Ca再吸收率及幼龄林和中龄林叶的Na再吸收率均为负值,而其余养分的再吸收率均为正值;随林龄增长,N、K和Mg的再吸收率先升高后降低,而P、Ca和Na的再吸收率却先降低后升高;总体上看,赤桉叶中各养分的再吸收率从高到低依次为P、N、K、Mg、Na、Ca.线性回归分析结果表明:赤桉鲜叶的全钾和全钠含量分别与K和Na再吸收率呈极显著正相关(P<001),全钙含量与Ca再吸收率呈显著正相关(P<005);而凋落叶的全氮含量与N再吸收率呈极显著负相关,全镁含量与Mg再吸收率呈显著负相关.综合分析结果显示:林龄对赤桉叶的养分含量和再吸收率有明显影响,其保存养分的能力随林龄增长呈现先增强后减弱的趋势.     

不同林龄和密度对马尾松人工林凋落叶养分变化的影响

该文选择广西南宁市横县镇龙林场的4种林龄(幼龄林、中龄林、成熟林和过熟林)和4种密度(低密度林、中低密度林、中高密度林和高密度林)马尾松人工林共8种林分作为研究对象,分析了未破碎和破碎两个不同降解阶段的凋落叶C、N、P含量及其生态化学计量学特征。结果表明:(1)不同林龄中,凋落叶初始C、N含量在过熟林和成熟林中较高,P含量没有显著变化,且C∶N比值和C∶P比值从幼龄林到成熟林逐渐升高,说明较高林龄马尾松对N和P重吸收较低,而较低林龄马尾松对N和P重吸收较强,需要较大。(2)不同密度林中,随着林木密度的增加,凋落叶初始C含量逐渐升高,N含量无显著变化,P含量降低;高密度林凋落叶的初始C∶P比值和N∶P比值较高,说明高种植密度下马尾松可能对N和P养分的需求较大,P重吸收较强。(3)不同林龄和不同密度马尾松林的破碎凋落叶C含量、C∶N比值、C∶P比值和N∶P比值比未破碎凋落叶的低,N和P含量较高,说明凋落物在降解过程中出现N和P养分的富集现象。(4)中林龄和较高种植密度的马尾松破碎凋落叶与未破碎凋落物的C含量差值最大,C∶N比值和C∶P比值较低,说明这两种林分的凋落叶C的降解速率可能较大。上...     

不同年龄日本落叶松人工林生物量、碳储量及养分特征

以7、17、30和40年生4个发育阶段(幼龄、中龄、近熟和成熟阶段)的日本落叶松人工林为对象,研究了林龄对生物量、碳储量和养分特征的影响.结果表明: 在单木水平上,不同发育阶段干、枝、皮、叶、根生物量和养分浓度差异显著.随年龄增加,各器官生物量呈增大趋势,N、P、K浓度呈下降趋势,Mg浓度先降后升,Ca浓度持续升高.优势木、平均木和劣势木的各器官生物量之间差异显著,但养分浓度差异不显著,表明竞争对各器官养分浓度影响不大.在林分水平上,总生物量、碳储量和养分储量随林龄增加呈增大趋势,与幼龄林相比,成熟林分别增加217.9%、218.4%和56.4%,表明日本落叶松林生长后期能以较少的养分生产较多的干物质,养分利用效率较高.5种元素的积累量除P和K在近熟林(30年生)略有降低外,其他元素都随林龄增加而增加.N集中在叶中,Ca集中在树干,K和Mg主要集中在根,P在不同器官中的分配较均匀.日本落叶松林分年均生物量积累率、固碳率和养分积累率均随林龄的增加而降低,从幼龄林每年7.16 t·hm^-2、3.40 t·hm^-2、104.64 kg·hm^-2降低到成熟林的3.99 t·hm^-2、1.89 t·hm^-2、28.64 kg·hm^-2,表明日本落叶松林幼、中龄阶段固碳潜力大,但养分消耗也高.     

不同生长阶段杉木人工林土壤C∶N∶P化学计量特征与养分动态

在福建省白砂国有林场选取幼龄林(5年)、中幼龄林(8年)、近熟林(21年)、成熟林(27年)和过熟林(40年)5个生长阶段的杉木人工林,测定不同土层(0～10、10～20、20～40 cm)土壤总碳(TC)、全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)、全钾(TK)、全钙(Ca)、全镁(Mg)含量以及C∶N∶P化学计量比,探究杉木人工林土壤碳氮磷(C∶N∶P)化学计量特征与养分随林龄的变化规律。结果表明: 随着林分发育,TC、TN未发生显著变化,土壤C∶N保持不变。随着林分发育,0～20 cm土层土壤TP含量呈增加-降低-增加的变化趋势,其中在杉木成熟林达到最低,C∶P和N∶P最大,而20～40 cm土层土壤TP在各个林龄之间无显著变化。Ca、Mg含量在所有土层均在杉木成熟林达到最低。土壤TC与C∶P、N∶P、C∶N均呈显著正相关,TP与C∶P、N∶P呈显著负相关,土壤TP含量是调控土壤C∶P和N∶P的关键因子。杉木人工林发育到成熟期受到P的限制,为保证人工林正常发育,可在杉木速生阶段施加P肥,促进养分良性循环。适当提高杉木林的轮伐期可能会有利于土壤养分的恢复与保持。     

不同林龄福建柏纯林与混交林生长及养分的差异北大核心CSCD

以不同林龄的福建柏[Fokienia hodginsii(Dunn)Henry et Thomas]为研究对象,比较两种人工林(纯林和混交林)经营模式下福建柏不同时期生长指标及器官养分的差异,并结合各器官养分随林龄增长的变化趋势,以揭示福建柏生长特性与养分含量间的相关性。结果表明:(1)随着林龄增加,两种经营模式的福建柏密度均显著减小,但总蓄积逐渐增加,而混交模式下福建柏不同生长时期的各项生长指标均优于同林龄的纯林。(2)两种营林模式下的福建柏叶片碳(C)、氮(N)元素含量均随着林龄增加呈上升趋势;磷(P)含量在15年生时最高,在生长前中期混交林P含量均显著高于纯林;钾(K)含量则在21年生时达到峰值,而混交林叶片K含量也低于纯林,这种差异在33年生时达到显著水平。(3)枝条N、K含量随林龄增加而减少,纯林枝条K含量高于混交林,混交林N含量则高于纯林;两种经营模式福建柏枝条C含量变化差异不显著,P含量则呈相反变化趋势。(4)树干C含量随着林分生长而增加,N含量先下降后上升,树干P含量随着林龄增加显著下降,且混交林P含量低于纯林,但差异不显著;纯林树干K含量在生长前期略高于混交林,但在生长中后期其含量显著降低,混交林K含量则显著升高。(5)根的C、N含量均随着林龄增加而减少,混交效益显著降低了根的C含量,并提高了其N含量;P与K含量变化差异较大,混交效益也会促进二者在福建柏根中的含量。     

海南岛不同林龄的木麻黄林地土壤微生物的功能多样性

为研究不同林龄木麻黄(Casuarina equisetifolia)林地土壤微生物功能多样性的动态变化, 通过Biolog系统对海口市桂林洋开发区滨海不同林龄(幼龄林(林龄5-8年)、中龄林(林龄15-20年)和成熟林(林龄30年及以上))的木麻黄林地土壤微生物的功能多样性进行了分析。结果表明: (1)对照裸地和成熟林林地土壤微生物对所使用的Biolog-ECO微孔板中的31种碳源的利用率和对这31种碳源的各分类碳源的利用率高于中龄林与幼龄林林地; (2) Shannon-Wiener指数(H′), McIntosh、Simpson多样性指数随着林龄增大而增大, 不同林龄林地间的H′差异显著, 幼龄林和中龄林的McIntosh、Simpson多样性指数无显著差异; (3)主成分分析结果表明, 在主成分分离中起分异作用的主要碳源为单糖和氨基酸。林地土壤微生物群落多样性随着林龄增加而增高, 这可能是林分凋落物、植物根系分泌的次生代谢物、土壤养分、林地土壤特异性微生物等共同作用的结果。     

Effects of artificial grassland establishment on soil nutrients and carbon properties in a black-soil-type degraded grassland

Despite a growing knowledge of nutrient limitation for mangrove species and how mangroves adapt to low nutrients, there is scant information about the relative importance of N:P ratio and leaf phenolics variability in determining nutrient conservation. In this study, we evaluated possible nutrient conservation strategies of a mangrove Rhizophora stylosa under nutrient limitation. 1. The leaf nutrient concentrations of R. stylosa changed with season, with the highest N concentration in winter and the highest P concentration in spring for both mature and senescent leaves. Leaf N and P concentrations decreased significantly during leaf senescence. Based on N:P ratios R. stylosa forest was N-limited. Accordingly, the nitrogen resorption efficiency (NRE) was significantly higher than phosphorus resorption efficiency (PRE) for the R. stylosa leaves during leaf senescence. The NRE and PRE both reached the highest in the autumn. Average N and P concentrations in the senescent leaves were 0.15% and 0.06% for R. stylosa, respectively, indicating a complete resorption of N and an incomplete resorption of P. There was a significant negative correlation between nitrogen resorption proficiency (NRP) and NRE, meanwhile phosphorus resorption proficiency (PRP) and PRE correlation was also highly significantly. 2. R. stylosa leaves contained relatively high tannin level. Total phenolics, extractable condensed tannins and total condensed tannins contents increased during leaf senescence, and changed between seasons. The lowest concentrations of total phenolics, extractable condensed tannins and total condensed tannins occurred in summer, total phenolics concentrations were inversely related to nitrogen or phosphorus concentrations. 3. Our results confirmed that resorption efficiency during leaf senescence depends on the type of nutrient limitation, and NRE was much higher than PRE under N-limited conditions. R. stylosa forest developed several nutrient conservation strategies in the intertidal coastline surroundings, including high nitrogen resorption efficiency, low nutrient losses and high tannins level.     

Effects of fertilization and drought stress on tannin biosynthesis of Casuarina equisetifolia seedlings branchlets

Nutrient, water, and their interactions influence the allocation of investment by plants to resistance and tolerance traits. We used a completely crossed randomized-block design experiment to examine the independent and interactive effects of nutrients and water availability on tannin production of C. equisetifolia seedlings. The results showed that nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer have significant effects on total phenolics (TP) and extractable condensed tannins (ECT) concentrations of branchlets. TP and ECT concentrations decreased with fertilizer addition and increased in arid condition. This pattern lends to support source-sink hypothesis such as the carbon-nutrient balance (CNB) hypothesis and the growth-differentiation balance (GDB) hypothesis. Soluble sugars or starch concentrations were both inversely related to TP concentrations. However, there was no significant correlation between them and ECT concentrations. In addition, chlorophyll concentration had a positive linear correlation with TP and no significant correlation with ECT. On the contrary, chlorophyll a/b ratios were negatively correlated with TP and positively correlated with ECT. The discrepancy of relationship between carbohydrates and TP or ECT showed that the biosynthetic routes of different tannins were different. In this study, no significant correlation between TP and N, or ECT and N, did not support protein competition model (PCM). TP:N and ECT:N ratios were higher in nutrient deficiency and arid conditions, which were one of the important nutrient conservation strategies for C. equisetifolia.     

Age-Related Modulation of the Nitrogen Resorption Efficiency Response to Growth Requirements and Soil Nitrogen Availability in a Temperate Pine Plantation

Nitrogen (N) resorption is a key strategy for conserving N in forests, and is often affected by soil nutrient condition and N sink strength within the plant. However, our understanding of the age-related pattern of N resorption and how increasing N deposition will affect this pattern is limited. Here, we investigated N resorption along a chronosequence of stands ranging in age from 2 to 100 years old, and conducted a 4-year exogenous N input experiment in stands at age class 11, 20, and 45 in a Larix Principis-rupprechtii plantation in north China. We found a logarithmic increase in leaf N resorption efficiency (NRE) and green leaf N concentration, and a logarithmic decrease in senesced-leaf N concentration along the stand-age chronosequence. Leaf NRE was negatively correlated with plant-available N concentration. Stand-level N resorption was positively correlated with the annual N requirement for tree growth. N resorption contributed to 45, 62, and 68% of the annual N supply in the 11-, 20-, and 45-year-old stands, respectively. Our exogenous N input experiment showed that leaf NRE in the 11- and 20-year-old stands decreased 17 and 12% following a 50-kg N ha^?1 y^?1 input. However, leaf NRE was not affected in the 45-year-old stand. The increases in leaf NRE and the contribution of N resorption to annual N supply along stand ages suggested that, with stand development, tree growth depends more on N resorption to supply its N need. Furthermore, the leaf NRE of mature stand was not decreased under exogenous N input, suggesting that mature stands can be stronger sinks for N deposition than young stands due to their higher capacity to retain the deposited N within plants via internal cycle. Ignoring age-related N use strategies can lead to a bias in N cycle models when evaluating forest net primary production under increasing global N deposition.     

台湾相思叶状柄衰老过程中氮磷内吸收变化研究

对厦门五老峰台湾相思成熟和衰老叶状柄的N、P含量、N:P比值及内吸收率的研究表明:(1)台湾相思成熟叶状柄具有高的N含量,冬、春季分别为39.90±2.10 mg/g、43.13±1.67 mg/g,P含量冬、春季分别为1.24±0.04 mg/g、1.16±0.05 mg/g,叶状柄在衰老过程中,N、P含量明显下降;(2)成熟叶状柄的N:P比值冬、春季分别为32.26±1.53、37.37±1.61,均高于16,显示厦门五老峰台湾相思林存在P限制,但叶状柄衰老过程中P的内吸收率显著高于N的内吸收率。     

Nitrogen and phosphorus economy of the riparian shrub <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salix gracilistyla</Emphasis> in western Japan

Salix gracilistyla is one of the dominant plants in the riparian vegetation of the upper-middle reaches of rivers in western Japan. This species colonizes mainly sandy habitats, where soil nutrient levels are low, but shows high potential for production. We hypothesized that S.␣gracilistyla uses nutrients conservatively within stands, showing a high resorption efficiency during leaf senescence. To test this hypothesis, we examined seasonal changes in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations in aboveground organs of S. gracilistyla stands on a fluvial bar in the Ohtagawa River, western Japan. The concentrations in leaves decreased from April to May as leaves expanded. Thereafter, the concentrations showed little fluctuation until September. They declined considerably in autumn, possibly owing to nutrient resorption. We converted the nutrient concentrations in each organ to nutrient amounts per stand area on the basis of the biomass of each organ. The resorption efficiency of N and P in leaves during senescence were estimated to be 44 and 46%, respectively. Annual net increments of N and P in aboveground organs, calculated by adding the amounts in inflorescences and leaf litter to the annual increments in perennial organs, were estimated to be 9.9 g and 0.83 g m⁻² year⁻¹, respectively. The amounts released in leaf litter were 6.7 g N and 0.44 g P m⁻². These values are comparable to or larger than those of other deciduous trees. We conclude that S. gracilistyla stands acquire large amounts of nutrients and release a large proportion in leaf litter.     

Nutrient conservation strategies in native Andean‐Patagonian forests

Abstract. Nutrient conservation in vegetation affects rates of litter decomposition and soil nutrient availability. Although resorption has been traditionally considered one of the most important plant strategies to conserve nutrients in temperate forests, long leaf life‐span and low nutrient requirements have been postulated as better indicators. We aimed at identifying nutrient conservation strategies within characteristic functional groups of NW Patagonian forests on Andisols. We analysed C‐, N‐, P‐, K‐ and lignin‐concentrations in mature and senescent leaves of ten native woody species within the functional groups: broad‐leaved deciduous species, broad‐leaved evergreens and conifers. We also examined mycorrhizal associations in all species. Nutrient concentration in mature leaves and N‐ resorption were higher in broad‐leaved deciduous species than in the other two functional groups. Conifers had low mature leaf nutrient concentrations, low N‐resorption and high lignin/N ratios in senescent leaves. P‐ and K‐resorptions did not differ among functional groups. Broad‐leaved evergreens exhibited a species‐dependent response. Nitrogen in mature leaves was positively correlated with both N resorption and soil N‐fertility. Despite the high P‐retention capacity of Andisols, N appeared to be the more limiting nutrient, with most species being proficient in resorbing N but not P. The presence of endomycorrhizae in all conifers and the broad‐leaved evergreen Maytenus boaria, ectomycorrhizae in all Nothofagus species (four deciduous, one evergreen), and cluster roots in the broad‐leaved evergreen Lomatia hirsuta, would be possibly explaining why P is less limiting than N in these forests.     

Nutrient conservation increases with latitude of origin in European<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Pinus sylvestris</Emphasis> populations

Nutrient availability varies across climatic gradients, yet intraspecific adaptation across such gradients in plant traits related to internal cycling and nutrient resorption remains poorly understood. We examined nutrient resorption among six Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) populations of wide-ranging origin grown under common-garden conditions in Poland. These results were compared with mass-based needle N and P for 195 Scots pine stands throughout the species' European range. At the common site, green needle N (r(2)=0.81, P=0.01) and P (r(2)=0.58, P=0.08) concentration increased with increasing latitude of population origin. Resorption efficiency (the proportion of the leaf nutrient pool resorbed during senescence) of N and P of Scots pine populations increased with the latitude of seed origin (r(2) > or = 0.67, P < or = 0.05). The greater resorption efficiency of more northerly populations led to lower concentrations of N and P in senescent leaves (higher resorption proficiency) than populations originating from low latitudes. The direction of change in these traits indicates potential adaptation of populations from northern, colder habitats to more efficient internal nutrient cycling. For native Scots pine stands, results showed greater nutrient conservation in situ in cold-adapted northern populations, via extended needle longevity (from 2 to 3 years at 50 degrees N to 7 years at 70 degrees N), and greater resorption efficiency and proficiency, with their greater resorption efficiency and proficiency having genotypic roots demonstrated in the common-garden experiment. However, for native Scots pine stands, green needle N decreased with increasing latitude (r(2)=0.83, P=0.0002), and P was stable other than decreasing above 62 degrees N. Hence, the genotypic tendency towards maintenance of higher nutrient concentrations in green foliage and effective nutrient resorption, demonstrated by northern populations in the common garden, did not entirely compensate for presumed nutrient availability limitations along the in situ latitudinal temperature gradient.     

All Washed Out? Foliar Nutrient Resorption and Leaching in Senescing Switchgrass

Ideal bioenergy feedstocks are low in nutrients that act as anti-quality factors during conversion processes. Research has shown that delaying harvest of temperate perennial grasses until late winter reduces nutrient content, primarily due to end-season resorption, but also indicates a role for foliar nutrient leaching. While end-season resorption has been estimated, foliar nutrient leaching has not, and is a factor that could refine harvest recommendations. Additionally, establishing a baseline of mineral loss during switchgrass senescence will improve our understanding of leaf-level nutrient resorption. Therefore, we applied simulated rainfall to replicated (n = 5) plots within a previously established switchgrass stand to determine if heavy precipitation can induce nutrient leaching in senescing, unharvested foliage. Hour-long simulated rainfalls of ～120 mm were applied every 2 weeks from early September to a killing frost in 2014 and 2015. Leaf samples were taken from the upper and lower canopy before and after simulated rainfalls and from no-rain controls and analyzed for elemental N, P, K, S, Mg, and Ca. Nutrient resorption estimates ranged from 33 to 82% in control plots. Comparison of rainfall plots to controls indicated that lower canopy leaves, upon reaching ≥50% senescence, were slightly susceptible to foliar nutrient leaching, with losses ranging from 0.3 to 2.8 g kg^?1 dry matter for K, P, and Mg. Nitrogen, Ca, and S were not susceptible to foliar leaching. Although statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05), these values suggested that foliar leaching was not a strong driver of nutrient loss during senescence.     

Changes in nitrogen resorption of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) with stand development

Variation in plant N resorption may change with stand development because plants tend to adjust their ecophysiological traits with aging. In addition, changes in soil nitrogen (N) pools associated with stand development may also affect plant N resorption. Here, we examined green- and senesced-leaf N concentrations and resorption of trembling aspen ( Populus tremuloides Michx.) in boreal forest stands of different ages (7, 25, 85 and 139 years, respectively). All sampled stands originated from wildfires and established on similar parent materials (glacial tills) and had similar climates. N concentrations in both green and senesced leaves increased between 27% and 54% along the stand age chronosequence. Resorption efficiency (percentage difference of N between green and senesced leaves) and proficiency (N concentration in senesced leaves) were higher for leaves in younger stands than in older stands. An analysis of covariance indicated that the patterns of leaf N concentration and resorption were affected significantly by stand age, but not by available soil N concentration. Our results indicate that at an intra-specific level, plants could adjust their N resorption efficiency and proficiency with stand development.