Decomposition and element concentrations of silver birch leaf litter as affected by boron status of litter and soil

Inadequate boron (B) nutrition can affect the structural integrity and chemical composition of plant tissues. The changes in mass and element concentrations were studied using silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) leaf litter from seedlings grown with or without added B (B_litter+ or B_litter?). The litter was produced in a growth room, and it was incubated in either B fertilised or control forest plots (B_soil+ or B_soil?) between the moss and humus layers in two Norway spruce stands for 13 months. Additionally, the field decomposition experiment included long-term N and P application treatments (N_soil and P_soil). B_litter+ somewhat reduced the remaining litter mass. In contrast, B_soil+ increased it, possibly because of lower soil pH. The +N_soil treatment reduced the remaining mass. B_litter+ increased the remaining P, S, Cu, Cd, Ni and Zn but reduced Pb. Remaining B was high in the B_litter– which also accumulated B from soil. B_soil increased remaining Ca, Cd, Mg, Na, Pb, and slightly reduced N (in N fertilised plots). These changes in decomposition and element release have a potential to affect nutrient, carbon, and heavy-metal cycles in areas where B deficiencies are common, and where B fertilisation is practised.     

Effects of water and nutrient supply on amount and on nutrient concentration of litterfall and forest floor litter in Eucalyptus globulus plantations

A field experiment was initiated in March 1986 in central Portugal to evaluate the influence of water and nutrient supply on the productivity of E. globulus. The treatments applied were, irrigation plus fertiliser, irrigation and the application of fertilisers in rainfed plots. The control received neither fertilisers nor irrigation. The annual pattern litterfall was measured over a period of 5 years and the litter layer was quantified 6 years after planting. The amount of litterfall varied with the treatments. Simultaneous water and nutrient supply increased significantly litterfall, in respect to control. In rainfed conditions the timing of the maximum of litterfall was anticipated relative to the irrigated plots. However, the time of maximum litterfall did not coincide with the dry season but rather with period of maximum growth in each treatment. The N and P concentration was higher in the litterfall of the two fertilised treatments than in the others. The lowest concentrations of N and P in the leaf litter were coincident with the summer period in all treatments. The withdrawal of N and P ranged between 32 and 65% according to treatment and season. The deliverance of nutrients through litterfall was strongly increased by simultaneous water and nutrient supply. The supply of fertilisers in rainfed conditions promoted higher deliverance of nutrients than in the plots irrigated only. The mass of the litter layer was significantly increased by simultaneous water and nutrient supply. Application of fertilisers induced an increase in N and P concentration and a decrease in C/N ratio of the litter layer. Treatments and C/N values did not influence apparently the proportion of carbon, N and P released through mineralization from the litter layer. The non-fertilized treatments showed a more efficient N cycling than the others.     

Nutrient balance and P,K, Ca,Mg, S and B accumulation in a Norway spruce stand following ammonium sulphate application,fertigation, irrigation,drought and N-free-fertilisation

The nutrient balance and above ground accumulation of macro nutrients, except for N, resulting from improved or deteriorated availability of water and nutrients in a 25 year old Norway spruce stand in SW Sweden is presented. The site and the productivity of the stand is typical for the area. Treatment include irrigation (I); artificial drought (D1); ammonium sulphate addition (NS); N-free-fertilisation (V) and irrigation with liquid fertilisers including a complete set of nutrients according to the Ingestad principle (IF). At start of the experiment the stand contained 86.5 t dry mass, 342 kg N, 33 kg P, 142 kg K, 172 kg Ca, 36 kg Mg and 34 kg S ha^-1. Enhanced accumulation vs control of S was seen in the NS and IF treatments. In the V and IF treatments P accumulation was 7–9 times higher and Ca and Mg, 2–4 times higher compared to the control. K accumulation was increased for the IF treatment. B that accumulated in the needles was decreased in the NS and D1 treatments and increased in the IF and V treatments, as compared to the control. The gross accumulation of nutrients relative to the amounts added was in the IF and V treatments 56 and 47% for P, 40 and 64% for K, 40 and 24% for Mg and, 22 and 8% for S, respectively. We conclude that application with N-free fertilizer, Skogvital (V), including macro nutrients and essential micro nutrients, results in a fast and efficient accumulation above ground of P, K, Ca, Mg and B. The treatment is efficient when aiming at restoring nutrient imbalances in Norway spruce. Application with ammonium sulphate at a rate of 5–6 times higher than the current deposition of N and S did not lead to decreased accumulation above ground of any of the macro nutrients P, K, Ca or Mg. The accumulation of B, however, was significantly reduced. Results from this and other studies indicate that today, N alone, generally is a growth limiting nutrient for Norway spruce in Southern Sweden.     

华西雨屏区亮叶桦凋落叶分解对模拟氮沉降的响应

从2008年1月至2009年2月, 对华西雨屏区亮叶桦(Betula luminifera)人工林进行了模拟氮(N)沉降试验, N沉降水平分别为对照(CK, 0 g N·m^-2·a^-1)、低N (5 g N·m^-2·a^-1)、中N (15 g N·m^-2·a^-1)和高N (30 g N·m^-2·a^-1)。利用凋落袋法对亮叶桦凋落叶进行原位分解试验, 并在每月下旬定量地对各处理施N (NH₄NO₃)。结果表明, 虽然华西雨屏区大气N沉降量较高, 但模拟N沉降试验表明: 在N沉降继续增加的情况下, 凋落叶分解这一碳(C)循环和养分循环过程仍会受到显著影响。在1年的分解试验中, 模拟N沉降显著抑制了亮叶桦凋落叶的分解, N沉降处理使得凋落叶质量损失95%的时间在2.65年的基础上增加了1.14-1.96年。N沉降抑制凋落叶分解的原因在于无机N的富集对木质素和纤维素的分解造成阻碍。N沉降处理也导致C、N、磷、钾和镁元素在凋落物中的残留量增加, 但N沉降加速了钙元素的释放。凋落物基质化学特性在很大程度上决定了凋落物分解对N沉降的响应方向, 以及凋落物分解过程中各元素的动态变化。     

Root and needle litter decomposition responses to enhanced supplies of N and S in a Norway spruce forest in southwest Sweden

The effects of additions of ammonium sulfate (NS) on the decomposition of litter derived from Norway spruce roots (< 2 and 2 - 5 mm in diameter) in the humus and mineral soil layers (0 - 15 cm) of a Norway spruce stand in southern Sweden were investigated over a 6-year period. To this purpose, litterbags were incubated in the humus layer and in the mineral soil in June 1996, with roots collected from NS and control (C) plots incubated in the NS and C plots, respectively. The N concentrations in fine roots (< 2 mm) in the NS- plots were higher than those in 2 - 5 mm roots in both humus and mineral soil layers. In the humus layer, N concentrations in the fine roots in the C- and NS- plots were 12.8 and 15.7 mg g ^{? 1}, respectively. By the end of the fifth year the < 2 mm roots in humus layer had lost 48.5 and 50% of their mass in the C and NS plots, respectively, while the corresponding values for the 2 - 5 mm diameter class were 44 and 54%. The fresh root litter may be a sensitive indicator to responses to enhanced N and S deposition, although decomposition rates of both litter types are affected.     

Advances in the positional cloning of nodulation genes in soybean

The effect of liming on the decomposition of Norway spruce needle litter was studied in 40–60-year-old Norway spruce stands. Finely-ground limestone had been spread about 30 years ago at a dose of 2 t ha^–1 and reliming was carried out about 20 yr later at a dose of 4 t ha^–1. Needle litter was collected from both control and limed plots, and it was placed in litter bags in the middle of the humus layer of the plot from which they originated, and similarly to the other plot in May. Litter bags were sampled after 4, 12 and 16 months. The site of origin of the needle litter, whether from control plot or from limed plot, affected mainly the early stages of decomposition. Initially the effect of liming was seen as decreased concentration of water soluble material and then, during decomposition, as decreased mass loss and decreased degradation of lignin, and increased C/N ratio. The incubation site, whether the control or the limed plot, did not affect decomposition significantly.Decomposition of Scots pine needles in a young Scots pine plantation was also studied. The treatments were: 2 t ha^–1 of finely-ground limestone and 2.5 t ha^–1 of bark ash spread 8 months before this study. The treatments did not affect decomposition much, but some stimulation of the treatments on decomposition was observed. Compared to spruce needles, the C/N ratio of pine seedles was lower, they contained less lignin and more water soluble material, and decomposed faster in the first summer.     

Soil acidity and nutrient deficiency in central Amazonian heath forest soils

Experiments were carried out to test the effects of liming and nutrient additions on plant growth and soil processes such as C and N mineralisation in three contrasting forest types in central Amazonia: the stunted facies of heath forest (SHF), the tall facies of heath forest (THF) and the surrounding lowland evergreen rain forest (LERF). Calcium-carbonate additions increased soil respiration in the field plots in the SHF; in laboratory incubations, soil respiration was higher in the SHF when soils were fertilised with N, and in THF and LERF after S additions. The addition of N alone or in different combinations generally induced a net immobilisation of soil N. Net nitrification increased during the incubation in SHF and THF soils fertilised with N+P, and in LERF soils fertilised with either N, or P, or CaCO₃. In a field experiment using ingrowth bags, a higher fine root production was observed in all forest types when bags were fertilised with CaCl₂ or CaCO₃, suggesting that Ca may be a limiting nutrient in these soils. Calcium-carbonate addition in a glasshouse bioassay experiment with rice showed an overall positive effect on the survival and growth of the seedlings. In other treatments where soil pH was not raised, the rice showed acute toxicity symptoms, poor root and shoot growth and high mortality. Similar results were yielded in a field experiment, using naturally established seedlings in the field plots in SHF, THF and LERF. It is concluded that the acute H⁺ ion toxicity is a major growth-limiting factor for non-adapted plants in heath forest soils in central Amazonia.     

Litter N:P ratios indicate whether N or P limits the decomposability of graminoid leaf litter

The N:P ratio of leaf litter may determine if decomposability is N-limited (litter with low N:P ratio) or P-limited (litter with high N:P ratio). To test this hypothesis and to determine the threshold between N and P limitation, we studied relationships between litter N and P concentrations, litter mass loss and effects of fertilisation on litter mass loss in laboratory experiments. Leaf litter of 11 graminoid species was collected in Swiss and Dutch wetlands, yielding 84 litter samples with a broad range of N and P concentrations (3.2–15.1 mg N g⁻¹, 0.04–1.93 mg P g⁻¹) and with N:P mass ratios ranging from 5 to 100. On nutrient-free sand, dry mass loss after five or ten weeks (5.5–53% of initial mass) correlated positively with the N and P concentrations of the litter. Within species, mass loss correlated mainly with N for litter with low N:P ratio, and with P for litter with high N:P ratio, in agreement with our hypothesis. Among species, however, these relationships did not exist, and decomposition rather correlated with the specific leaf area. When the litter was incubated on fertilised sand, 35 out of 50 litter samples decomposed faster than on nutrient-free sand. Decomposition was generally accelerated by P fertilisation (i.e. P-limited) when the N:P ratio of the litter was above 25 and the P concentration below 0.22 mg g⁻¹, supporting our hypothesis. N-limited decomposition was not significantly related to the litter N:P ratio but occurred rarely for litter with N:P ratio greater than 25, and only for litter with N concentration below 11.3 mg g⁻¹. We conclude that the N:P ratio of leaf litter indicates whether its decomposability is more likely to be N- or P-limited. The critical N:P ratio (threshold between N and P limitation) appeared to be 25 for graminoid leaf litter.     

Variable Responses of Lowland Tropical Forest Nutrient Status to Fertilization and Litter Manipulation

Predicting future impacts of anthropogenic change on tropical forests requires a clear understanding of nutrient constraints on productivity. We compared experimental fertilization and litter manipulation treatments in an old-growth lowland tropical forest to distinguish between the effects of inorganic nutrient amendments and changes in nutrient cycling via litterfall. We measured the changes in soil and litter nutrient pools, litterfall, and fine root biomass in plots fertilized with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), or potassium (K), and in litter addition and litter removal treatments during 7 years. Soil inorganic N and litter N increased in double-litter plots but not in N-fertilized plots. Conversely, litter P and soil pools of P and K increased in fertilized plots but not in the double-litter plots. Soil and litter pools of N and K decreased in the no-litter plots. Changes in litterfall with added nutrients or litter were only marginally significant, but fine root biomass decreased with both the litter and the K addition. Differences between the two experiments are mostly attributable to the coupled cycling of carbon and nutrients in litter. Increased nutrient inputs in litter may improve plant uptake of some nutrients compared to fertilization with similar amounts. The litter layer also appears to play a key role in nutrient retention. We discuss our findings in the context of possible impacts of anthropogenic change on tropical forests.     

Effect of wood ash and nitrogen fertilization on soil chemical properties, soil microbial processes, and stand growth in two coniferous stands in Finland

The aim of our study was to investigate long-term effects of wood ash fertilization, given together with nitrogen, on soil chemical properties, soil microbiological processes related to C and N cycling, and tree growth. The study was carried out in a 31-year-old Scots pine stand and in a 45-year-old Norway spruce stand 15 years after application. The treatments were (1) a control with no ash or nutrient addition, (2) wood ash + N (WAN), and (3) a stand-specific fertilization (SSF) formulated on the basis of analyses carried out on needle and soil samples taken from the stand. The SSF treatments included N, Cu and B, and in the spruce stand also P. WAN decreased acidity and increased the extractable Ca, Mg and P concentrations in the organic layer in both stands, but SSF had no effect. The microbial processes reacted more strongly to the treatments in the pine stand, whereas the growth response, although only relatively slight during the third 5-year period after fertilization, was detected only in the spruce stand. WAN increased the NH₄-N concentrations in the organic layer compared to the control and SSF treatments on both sites. In the pine stand, amount of N in microbial biomass and both the C and net N mineralization rates were significantly higher in the WAN treatment than in the SSF treatment. On both sites net nitrification was negligible in all treatments. Soil microbial biomass, microbial respiration and N availability have been used as indices for assessing the biological activity and health of soil, and these parameters either increased or were not affected by the WAN treatment. Hence, with regard to these parameters there are justifiable grounds for applying wood ash.     

Impact of common European tree species and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) on the physicochemical properties of the rhizosphere

Trees play a crucial role in nutrient cycling and ecosystem fertility, notably through rhizosphere processes. The aim of this study was to compare soil physicochemical properties between bulk soil and rhizosphere of several tree species, and to compare rhizosphere properties between fertilized and non-fertilized conditions. The soil sampling was performed in Breuil-Chenue forest (North-East of France) in seven stands: native forest (old beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and oak (Quercus sessiliflora Smith) coppice with standards; CwS), beech, oak (Quercus petraea [Matt.] Liebl.), Douglas-fir and fertilised Douglas-fir, Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) and fertilised Norway spruce. Systematic soil sampling was performed at 0–3, 3–10, and 10–23 cm in 20 calibrated pits. The rhizosphere of the different species was generally enriched in C, N, Ca, Mg, and K. Interestingly, the same positive effect was observed in the fertilised plots. The rhizosphere effect varied between tree species for C, “base” cations, pH_water and cation exchange capacity. This study reveals that interactions between roots, microorganisms and soil can enrich the pool of nutrients in the rhizosphere compared to bulk soil whatever the soil fertility conditions, and that the magnitude of the rhizosphere effect depends on tree species.     

Greater accumulation of litter in spruce (Picea abies) compared to beech (Fagus sylvatica) stands is not a consequence of the inherent recalcitrance of needles

Background and aims

Replacement of beech by spruce is associated with changes in soil acidity, soil structure and humus form, which are commonly ascribed to the recalcitrance of spruce needles. It is of practical relevance to know how much beech must be admixed to pure spruce stands in order to increase litter decomposition and associated nutrient cycling. We addressed the impact of tree species mixture within forest stands and within litter on mass loss and nutritional release from litter.

Methods

Litter decomposition was measured in three adjacent stands of pure spruce (Picea abies), mixed beech-spruce and pure beech (Fagus sylvatica) on three nutrient-rich sites and three nutrient-poor sites over a three-year period using the litterbag method (single species and mixed species bags).

Results

Mass loss of beech litter was not higher than mass loss of spruce litter. Mass loss and nutrient release were not affected by litter mixing. Litter decay indicated non-additive patterns, since similar remaining masses under pure beech (47%) and mixed beech-spruce (48%) were significantly lower than under pure spruce stands (67%). Release of the main components of the organic substance (C_org, N_tot, P, S, lignin) and associated K were related to mass loss, while release of other nutrients was not related to mass loss.

Conclusions

In contradiction to the widely held assumption of slow decomposition of spruce needles, we conclude that accumulation of litter in spruce stands is not caused by recalcitrance of spruce needles to decay; rather adverse environmental conditions in spruce stands retard decomposition. Mixed beech-spruce stands appear to be as effective as pure beech stands in counteracting these adverse conditions.     

Foliar and Litter Nutrients, Nutrient Resorption, and Decomposition in Hawaiian Me t rosideros polymorpha

The native tree Metrosideros polymorpha dominates Hawaiian forests across a very wide range of soil fertility, including both sites where forest production is limited by nitrogen (N) and others where it is limited by phosphorus (P). Five long-term fertilization experiments have further broadened the range of nutrient availabilities experienced by Metrosideros. Adding P to P-limited sites increased foliar P concentrations threefold and litter P concentrations up to 10-fold; lignin concentrations decreased, and the decomposability of leaf litter increased from 32%–35% to 36%–46% mass loss in the first year. Adding N to N-limited sites increased leaf and litter N concentrations by only 15%–20%, with little or no effect on the decomposability of tissue. Received 22 January 1998; accepted 4 May 1998.     

Effects of enhanced atmospheric CO2 and nutrient supply on the quality and subsequent decomposition of fine roots of Betula pendula Roth. and Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.

Fine root litter derived from birch (Betula pendula Roth.) and Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) plants grown under two CO₂ atmospheric concentrations (350 ppm and 600 ppm) and two nutrient regimes was used for decomposition studies in laboratory microcosms. Although there were interactions between litter type, CO₂/fertiliser treatments and decomposition rates, in general, an increase in the C/N ratio of the root tissue was observed for roots of both species grown under elevated CO₂ in unfertilized soil. Both weight loss and respiration of decomposing birch roots were significantly reduced in materials derived from enriched CO₂, whilst the decomposition of spruce roots showed no such effect. A parallel experiment was performed using Betula pendula root litter grown under different N regimes, in order to test the relationship between C/N ratio of litter and root decomposition rate. A highly significant (p<0.001) negative correlation between C/N ratio and root litter respiration was found, with an r²=0.97. The results suggest that the increased C/N ratio of plant tissues induced by elevated CO₂ can result in a reduction of decomposition rate, with a resulting increase in forest soil C stores.     

Interactive responses of grass litter decomposition to warming,nitrogen addition and detritivore access in a temperate old field

Plant litter decomposition has been studied extensively in the context of both climate warming and increased atmospheric N deposition. However, much of this research is based on microbial responses, despite the potential for detritivores to contribute substantially to litter breakdown. We measured litter mass-loss responses to the combined effects of warming, N addition and detritivore access in a grass-dominated old field. We concurrently assessed the roles of litter treatment origin vs. microenvironment (direct warming and N-addition effects) to elucidate the mechanisms through which these factors affect decomposition. After 6 weeks, mass loss increased in N-addition plots, and it increased with detritivore access in the absence of warming. After 1 year, warming, N addition, and detritivore access all increased litter mass loss, although the effects of N addition and warming were non-additive in the detritivore-access plots. For the litter-origin experiment, mass loss after 6 weeks increased in litter from N-addition plots and warmed plots, but unlike the overall decomposition response, the N-addition effect was enhanced by detritivore access. Conversely, for the microenvironment experiment, detritivore access only increased mass loss in unfertilized plots. After 1 year, detritivore access increased mass loss in the litter-origin and microenvironment experiments, but there were no warming or N-addition effects. Overall, our results provide support for a substantial role of detritivores in promoting litter mass loss in our system. Moreover, they reveal important interactions between litter origin, microclimate and detritivores in determining decomposition responses to global change.     

川西高原季节性雪被覆盖对窄叶鲜卑花凋落物分解和养分动态的影响

2010年1-5月在川西高原采用人工雪厚度梯度试验(0、30和100 cm),应用网袋分解法对窄叶鲜卑花叶片凋落物进行分解试验,测定了凋落物的分解速率及其养分动态.结果表明:在无雪被覆盖的样地上分解5个月后的凋落物质量损失率为29.9％,而中雪和深雪样地的凋落物质量损失率分别为33.8％和35.2％.分解过程中,凋落物氮存在一定的富集现象,磷处于波动的富集状态,碳质量分数和碳氮比均呈现前期急剧下降后期逐渐上升的趋势.雪被覆盖显著增加了凋落物的质量损失率和氮含量,而对碳和磷含量无显著影响.在川西高原地区,30 cm以上的持续雪被覆盖能够改变凋落物的分解过程,从而可能对土壤营养物质转化和植物群落构建产生实质性的影响.     

Populations of root-feeding aphids in the Liphook forest fumigation experiment

Three species of root aphid (Pachypappa vesicalis Koch, Pachypappa tremulae L. and Prociphilus (Stagona) xylostei De Geer) were found feeding on Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karsten] that were exposed to elevated concentrations of O₃, and/or SO₂ in a field manipulation experiment at Liphook, England. The experiment exposed conifer trees to controlled concentrations of these gases between 1987 and 1990. Root-aphid populations feeding on Norway spruce were monitored in autumn 1990, the third year of fumigation and in autumn 1991, 10 months after fumigation had ceased. In 1990 the numbers of aphids in the high-SO₂, high-SO₂+ O₃ and O₃ treatments were significantly less than in ambient plots. Although after fumigation had ceased in 1991 the ambient plots still had higher numbers than the treatment plots, most of these differences were no longer statistically significant. In all plots sampled, total numbers of root aphids were higher in 1991 than in 1990. These results indicate that the numbers of root aphids in the experiment were negatively related to pollution levels. This relationship is the same as that shown in controlled laboratory experiments and is the converse of that generally reported in experiments using shoot-feeding aphids.     

Decomposition rate and nutrient release from plant litter of Norway spruce forest in the Bohemian Forest

The role of litter composition and quality on the nutrient release was studied in three month laboratory experiment. Spruce needles and leaves of four species dominant in understorey vegetation of the Norway spruce forest were collected in early autumn and incubated at 5°C, 10°C and 15°C. C mineralization was measured every two weeks, concentration of NH₄, NO₃, dissolved organic N, dissolved organic C and oxalate extractable P at the beginning and end of incubation and decay rate and nutrient release was calculated. Freshly senescent leaves contained less N and P indicating nutrient reallocation. Effect of temperature on a decay rate and nutrient transformation was not significant while the effect of litter quality expressed by C/N ratio at the end of incubation was. The decay rate was the fastest for the fern (Athyrium alpestre) and decreased in order: Callamagrostis villosa > Vaccinium myrtillus > Avenella flexuosa > spruce needles. The critical C/N ratio bellow which mineral N was released in high amount was around a value of 32. The results indicte that an increase of coverage of understorey vegetation can increase a risk of nutrient release.     

Effects of liming and boron fertilization on boron uptake of Picea abies

The effects of liming on concentrations of boron and other elements in Norway spruce [Picea abies (L) Karst.] needles and in the mor humus layer were studied in long-term field experiments with and without B fertilizer on podzolic soils in Finland. Liming (2000+4000 kg ha^-1 last applied 12 years before sampling) decreased needle B concentrations in the four youngest needle age classes from 6–10 mg kg^-1 to 5 mg kg^-1. In boron fertilized plots the corresponding concentrations were 23–35 mg kg^-1 in control plots and 21–29 mg kg^-1 in limed plots. Both liming and B fertilizer decreased the Mn concentrations of needles. In the humus layer, total B concentration was increased by both lime and B fertilizer, and Ca and Mg concentrations and pH were still considerably higher in the limed plots than controls. Liming decreased the organic matter concentration in humus layer, whilst B fertilizer increased it.The results about B uptake were confirmed in a pot experiment, in which additionally the roles of increased soil pH and increased soil Ca concentration were separated by means of comparing the effects of CaCO₃ and CaSO₄. Two-year-old bare-rooted Norway spruce seedlings were grown in mor humus during the extension growth of the new shoot. The two doses of lime increased the pH of soil from 4.1 to 5.6 to 6.1, and correspondingly decreased the B concentrations in new needles from 22 to 12 to 9 mg kg^-1. However, CaSO₄ did not affect the pH of the soil or needle B concentrations. Hence the liming effect on boron availability in these soils appeared to be caused by the increased pH rather than increased calcium concentration.     

Mineral nutrient imbalances and arginine concentrations in needles of Picea abies (L.) Karst. from two areas with different levels of airborne deposition

Summary This study evaluated the utility of free arginine concentrations as a possible alternative to mineral nutrient concentrations as an indicator of mineral nutrient imbalances in Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.]. The concentrations of mineral nutrients and arginine were measured in the needles of spruce trees from two areas in Sweden, one with high (15–30 kg ha^–1 year^–1) airborne N deposition, and one with lower (1–4 kg ha^–1 year^–1) deposition. The spruce needles from the area with high deposition in southern Sweden had elevated concentrations of free arginine, especially on peat sites. No increase in concentrations was found in the low deposition area in northern Sweden. The arginine concentrations on different sampling occasions were consistent for each site and for individual trees. Trees on peat sites in the south seemed to suffer from P deficiency in relation to N availability. A tendency for K deficiency in needles from peat sites was also found. Needles from trees on mor plots showed acceptable levels of these nutrient elements. Sites in the northern area showed low N concentrations, but the ratios between the different mineral elements analyzed in this study and N were within ranges normally found. A low P/N ratio correlated to high free arginine concentration. The threshold for elevated arginine concentrations is crossed when P/N ratios drop below 0.07–0.08. A tendency for increased arginine levels when ratios between N and the other mineral elements are low was also found, although it was not as strong as that for the P/N ratio. The results are discussed in relation to mineral nutrient imbalances in spruce stands caused by airborne deposition.