Seasonal allocation of carbohydrates between above‐ and below‐ground organs of Typha domingensis

Seasonal carbohydrates allocation by Typha domingensis was evaluated to identify the potential physiological weaknesses in the growth cycle of this plant in Lake Burullus, Egypt. Monthly plant samples (February–October 2014) were separated into shoots, roots and rhizomes to evaluate the seasonal changes in water‐soluble carbohydrates (WSC), starch and total non‐structural carbohydrates (TNC) for each plant organ. The present study indicated that rhizomes are strong carbohydrates sink during the life cycle of T. domingensis. Starch represented the greatest part of the TNC pool, surpassing the concentration of WSC 1.8–4.3 times. The WSC, starch and TNC concentrations of T. domingensis below‐ground organs (rhizomes and roots) were high at the beginning of the vegetative period (February); they reached their minima in March to support the shoots growth, then were followed by a gradual increase due to the translocation from shoots. The time when T. domingensis is expected to be most susceptible to a management technique is at the point in the seasonal cycle when the stored carbohydrates are at the lowest (in March).     

应用典范对应分析探讨长白山金发藓科植物的生态位分化

应用典范对应分析(Canonical Co rrespondence Analysis, CCA)对长白山主要生态系统30个样点中的13种金发藓科植物分布与环境因子间的关系进行了研究。发现在长白山地区,金发藓科植物在海拔高度、土壤含砂量、含水量、酸度、光照条件等资源维上存在明显的生态分化现象。13种金发藓科植物中,球蒴金发藓(Polytrichum sphaerothecium(Besch.)C.Mull.、高山异发藓短叶变种(Polytrichastrum alpinum var. brevifolium(R.Br.)Brid.)在海拔上,拟异发藓(Polytrichastrum formosum(Hedw.)G.L.Smith)、变形异发藓(Polytrichastrum dicipensLimpr.)、毛尖金发藓(Polytrichum piliferum Schred.ex Hedw.)、桧叶金发藓(Polytrichum juniperinum Willd.ex Hedw.)在光照上以及大金发藓(Polytrichum commune Hedw.)、直叶金发藓(Polytrichum juniperinum ssp. strictum(Brid.)Nhy.&Sael.)在土壤酸度与水分上的生态要求比较接近。     

Eco-physiological responses of Polytrichum commune to soil contamination by polychlorinated biphenyls

 通过微体繁殖技术在多氯联苯(PCBs)污染土壤基质上进行大金发藓(Polytrichum commune)的室内培养, 研究了不同浓度(5、10和20 mg·kg^–1)低氯PCBs (Aroclor 1242)和高氯PCBs (Aroclor 1254)对大金发藓生理生态指标的影响。经6个月的培养, 大金发藓的密度和盖度分别达93%和50株·cm^–2以上, PCBs处理组与对照组相比无显著差异, 表明PCBs对大金发藓茎叶碎片再生成新植株体的能力没有产生不利影响。大金发藓鲜质量和株高随低氯PCBs (Aroclor 1242)浓度增加而增加、随高氯PCBs (Aroclor 1254)浓度增加而减小, 但均高于对照, 表明PCBs处理对大金发藓的生长具有一定的促进作用。PCBs处理组大金发藓叶绿素a、b以及叶绿素a + b含量较对照组有所增加, 叶绿素a/b值与对照组相比基本没有变化。PCBs处理组大金发藓膜脂过氧化产物丙二醛含量和超氧化物歧化酶活性与对照组相比无显著差异, 谷胱甘肽含量较对照组显著增加, 表明谷胱甘肽在大金发藓体内活性氧清除过程中起重要作用。总体来看, 大金发藓能在所设浓度的PCBs范围内正常生长, 对PCBs有较强的耐性。     

高寒山区牧草根中丙二醛、渗透调节物、多胺季节动态与抗冻力关系研究

温带地区的高山多年生草本植物可在－３０℃组织结冰状况下生存,然而人们并不了解其抗冻的生理机理。本研究目的拟通过测定自然生境下生长的４种高寒山区禾本科牧草（无芒雀麦（Ｂｒｏｍｕｓ ｉｎｅｒｍｉｓ Ｌｅｙｓｓ．）、花雀麦（Ｂｒｏｍｕｓ　 ｓｉｎｅｎｓｉｓ　 Ｋｅｎｇ．）、垂穗披碱草（Ｅｌｙｍｕｓ ｎｕｔａｎｓ Ｇｒｉｓｅｂ．）、草地早熟禾（Ｐｏａ ｓｐｈｙｏｎｄｙｌｏｄｅｓ　 Ｔｒｉｎ．）根中渗透调节物、膜脂过氧化产物、多胺含量季节变化,以了解他们与牧草抗冻的关系。结果表明,在晚秋（９月１～１５日）牧草根中ＭＤＡ含量增高,尔后下降,冬季保持恒定。总碳水化合物（ＴＮＣ）,可溶性糖、脯氨酸、可溶性蛋白质含量随晚秋气温下降而增加,在１１月达到最高,尔后下降,且持续到翌年春季。随晚秋气温下降从９月到１１月根中多胺含量迅速增加,４种牧草平均增加１８０％,其中亚精胺（Ｓｐｄ）占多胺含量的５３％。在１１月牧草根中多胺几乎完全消失。上述物质在晚秋入冬增加正好与牧草抗冻锻炼时间相吻合,因而是植物抗冻适应的重要生理响应和植物越冬的低温保护物质。他们在降低细胞冰点、防止细胞结冰引起的膜机械伤害,抑制膜脂过氧化保护膜稳定性方面具有重要作用。     

Carbon and nutrient dynamics in relation to growth rhythm in the giant bamboo Phyllostachys pubescens

The carbon and nutrient dynamics in relation to growth rhythm in the giant bamboo Phyllostachys pubescens on Mount Jinyun, Chongqing, China, was studied during 1993–1996. Concentrations of TNC (total non-structural carbohydrates), N, P, and K all showed the same distribution pattern among organs: leaves > branches rhizomes stems roots. The rapid spring growth of new shoots noticeably reduced the concentration of TNC in the rhizomes, in which a large amount of carbohydrates was stored. The N concentration of the rhizomes did not decrease, however. Nutrient concentration of new (1st-year) leaves was significantly higher than that of old (2nd-year) leaves. Although the density of adult shoots was almost the same during 1994–1996, the low ratio of the number of adult shoots with new to that with old leaves from June 1994 to April 1995 resulted in a low TNC concentration in the rhizomes in early spring (April) 1995. This led to a low production of new shoots in the spring of 1995, their number being only ca. 10% of that in 1994 and 1996. Before old leaves were shed, a large amount of nutrients was remobilized and translocated to other plant parts to support further growth. Fertilization with NPK significantly increased the concentrations of N and P in leaves and subsequently increased the number of emerging new shoots.     

TRANSLOCATION IN POLYTRICHUM COMMUNE (BRYOPHYTA). II. CLONAL INTEGRATION

Polytrichum commune is a perennial moss that grows by rhizomatous production of interconnected shoots. It possesses a well-developed internal system of food-conducting tissue. Liquid scintillation determinations following pulse-¹⁴CO₂ treatment of a single shoot in rhizomatously connected groups indicate that tagged photoassimilates are transported into:1) newly developing stems during the early growing season; 2) shared rhizomes (with an increase observed in rhizome allocation toward the end of the year, as well as a year-end percentage increase in starch reserves); and 3) mature neighboring shoots. Over the course of the growing season, photoassimilate export from pulse-labeled shoots ranges between 12.9% and 21.4% of total tagged. The amount of export is significantly influenced by defoliation, shading, stem tip removal, and 50 ppm indole-3-acetic acid treatments performed on rhizomatously connected neighbor shoots. Physiological integration within P. commune can be inferred from these results. Control is exerted by endogenous hormones or by changes in the activity of sources and sinks.     

Cadmium,copper and lead in aquatic macrophytes in Shoal Lake (Manitoba-Ontario)

Cadmium, copper and lead concentrations were surveyed in several species of submerged aquatic macrophytes in a Precambrian Shield Lake. Values were variable within each species and interspecific differences in metal concentration were not significant over the season as a whole. Cadmium concentration increased during the season in Potamogeton foliosus and Myriophyllum exalbescens, while copper and lead declined in P. foliosus. No identifiable seasonal trends were seen in P. zosteriformis and P. robbinsii. In P. foliosus, copper and lead concentrations increased with water depth. Few significant correlations were found between metal concentrations in the shoots and each of several water chemistry parameters, temperature, and shoot chlorophyll, soluble sugar and starch content. Roots yielded greater metal concentrations than shoots.     

Rhizome dynamics and resource storage in Phragmites australis

Seasonal changes in rhizome concentrations of total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC), water soluble carbohydrates (WSC), and mineral nutrients (N, P and K) were monitored in two Phragmites australis stands in southern Sweden. Rhizome biomass, rhizome length per unit ground area, and specific weight (weight/ length ratio) of the rhizomes were monitored in one of the stands.Rhizome biomass decreased during spring, increased during summer and decreased during winter. However, changes in spring and summer were small (< 500 g DW m-2) compared to the mean rhizome biomass (approximately 3000 g DW m^–2). Winter losses were larger, approximately 1000 g DW m-2, and to a substantial extent involved structural biomass, indicating rhizome mortality. Seasonal changes in rhizome length per unit ground area revealed a rhizome mortality of about 30% during the winter period, and also indicated that an intensive period of formation of new rhizomes occurred in June.Rhizome concentrations of TNC and WSC decreased during the spring, when carbohydrates were translocated to support shoot growth. However, rhizome standing stock of TNC remained large (> 1000 g m^–2). Concentrations and standing stocks of mineral nutrients decreased during spring/ early summer and increased during summer/ fall. Only N, however, showed a pattern consistent with a spring depletion caused by translocation to shoots. This pattern indicates sufficient root uptake of P and K to support spring growth, and supports other evidence that N is generally the limiting mineral nutrient for Phragmites.The biomass data, as well as increased rhizome specific weight and TNC concentrations, clearly suggests that reloading of rhizomes with energy reserves starts in June, not towards the end of the growing season as has been suggested previously. This resource allocation strategy of Phragmites has consequences for vegetation management.Our data indicate that carbohydrate reserves are much larger than needed to support spring growth. We propose that large stores are needed to ensure establishment of spring shoots when deep water or stochastic environmental events, such as high rhizome mortality in winter or loss of spring shoots due to late season frost, increase the demand for reserves.     

白桦和紫椴树干非结构性碳水化合物的空间变异

以中国东北温带森林两个散孔材树种白桦和紫椴为对象,研究落叶后树干木质部中非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)浓度的空间变异.结果表明: 两种树种的可溶性糖与淀粉的总和(TNC)与可溶性糖浓度均随树干径向深度增加而缓慢下降,淀粉的径向变化不明显,即使在树干径向深处仍存有大量的NSC.两种树种树干的TNC、可溶性糖和淀粉浓度从根颈到胸高降低,之后逐渐升高,最大值出现的高度因树种和TNC组分而异.两种树种树干糖淀粉比值的纵向变化趋势为：白桦随树干升高而增大,紫椴则随之减小.树干NSC储量估算的误差主要来源于NSC浓度的纵向变化,其次是径向变化.喜光树种白桦的树干TNC浓度(1.0%干质量)显著低于耐阴树种紫椴(4.3%干质量),可能与其生活史对策差异有关.采用考虑了树干NSC纵向和径向变化的取样方法,可以有效地降低树木或林分水平上NSC储量估算的不确定性.
     

Growth pattern and modular reiteration of a hardy coloniser Polytrichum commune Hedw.

Heathlands in Brittany are subject to recurrent summer burning. Recolonisation after large fires begins with bryophytes, but species composition during succession may be altered by colonies of Polytrichum commune Hedw. which appears to be able to prevent reestablishment of the typical heathland formation. Three complementary levels of investigation were adopted in attempting to understand how P. commune, manages to persist and succeed in space open to rapid saturation.Analysis at the level of the local plant community, showed radical changes in the distribution and composition of the herbaceous and muscinal layers over two years. Between May 1992 and May 1994, P. commune cover increased from 13% to 77% accompanied by an appreciable decrease in other pioneer species.We compared individual colony growth of P. commune with that of Polytrichum piliferum, another pioneer moss. In both species, horizontal and vertical growth occurred in spring and autumn. During 1995, P. commune colony diameter had increased by a factor of 4.0 compared with 3.6 for P. piliferum. Over the same interval, colony height increased by a factor of 1.3 for P. commune compared with 1.8 for P. piliferum.Analysis at the level of the module showed that 79% of experimentally cultured stems produced branches, 25% producing a single branch, 32% two branches, and 25% 4 to 7 branches. The lower the location of new branches on culture stems, the longer their leafed section and the greater their overall length. These new branches were morphologically and functionally new ramets.These observations on P. commune conform to the inhibition model of community succession (Connell & Slatyer 1977). Successional patterns recorded in the present study could be interpreted in terms of differences in species colony growth ability. Dense colony growth would allow a species to saturate one of the more important ecosystem compartment. Polytric capacity to grow simultaneously and efficiently in the few centimetres in and above the soil surface could prevent seedling establishment and decrease fitness of coexisting Poaceae.     

Altitudinal variation in total lipid and soluble sugar content in herbaceous plants on Mount Olympus (Greece)

Lipid and soluble sugar concentrations of leaves and stems of 168 herbaceous species, growing along an altitudinal gradient of Mount Olympus are presented. It was shown that the concentration of total lipids increased with increasing altitude, while the content of total soluble sugars decreased. The line fitting data concerning lipid and soluble sugar calorific values runs parallel to that fitting data concerning calorific content of ash free dry weight.     

Spatial variations in non-structural carbohydrates in stems of twelve temperate tree species

The radial, axial and inter-specific variations in concentrations and contents of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) in stems were investigated for 12 Chinese temperate tree species. These species had contrasting leaf phenology (evergreen and deciduous) and wood types (non-, ring- and diffuse-porous wood). For each species, we sampled bark (periderm and phloem), outer wood (light-colored) and inner wood (dark-colored) at four heights along the stem (stump, breast height, crown base and mid-crown). Concentrations of total NSC (TNC, sum of sugars and starch), sugars and starch were much higher in bark than those in wood. On average, contents of sugars and starch accounted for 48 and 52 % of the TNC, respectively, and contents of TNC in bark, outer wood, and inner wood accounted for 34, 38, and 28 % of the stem total, respectively. Bark was the major pool of sugars in the stem (accounting for 50 % of the stem total on average), while outer wood was the major pool of starch (41 %). The concentration of sugars varied axially for all the conifers but did not for the broadleaved species. Mean concentrations of TNC, sugars and starch in stem varied by more than twofold among the species. However, there were no significant differences in these values for the species groups with different leaf phenology or wood types. Ignoring the radial, axial and inter-specific variations in NSC in stem would introduce large bias in estimating NSC storage at tree or ecosystem levels.     

青藏高原掌叶大黄和丽江大黄及其土壤的主要元素含量

采集掌叶大黄（Ｒｈｅｕｍ ｐａｌｍａｔｕｍ）和丽江大黄（Ｒｈｅｕｍ ｌｉｋｉａｎｇｅｎｓｅ）根茎、叶及根部土壤,应用ＩＣＰ测定主要元素含量特征,研究了２种大黄及其土壤的元素含量特征。结果表明,２种大黄土壤Ｐ含量远低于大黄根茎和叶,Ｆｅ含量则为土壤〉根茎〉叶,其中根茎与叶相差不大,但它们与土壤相差５０～１１０倍;Ｎａ、Ｍｎ、Ｃｕ含量在２种大黄中都表现为土壤〉叶〉根茎,Ｃａ含量在掌叶大黄中为土壤〈叶〈     

云南普洱季风常绿阔叶林不同林层非结构性碳水化合物特征

在聚类分析的基础上,研究云南普洱季风常绿阔叶林主要物种非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)及其组分浓度、分配和季节性动态在林冠层、亚冠层和林下层间的变化特征.结果表明:亚冠层中可溶性糖及NSC浓度最高,分别为3.9%和13.3%,可溶性糖淀粉比在林下层最低,为0.76,而淀粉浓度则在各林层间无显著性差异.3个林层的可溶性糖均主要分配在叶片中,淀粉和NSC主要分配在根中.亚冠层中叶片和树干的可溶性糖浓度显著高于林冠层和林下层,枝和根的可溶性糖浓度在3个林层间无显著性差异;叶片的淀粉浓度则随林层高度降低而增加,但根淀粉浓度则是在林下层最低,为10.7%,枝和树干的淀粉浓度在3个林层间无显著差异;叶片NSC浓度为林冠层(10.7%)显著低于亚冠层(12.3%)和林下层(12.0%),但根的NSC浓度在林下层中最低,为14.2%;林下层叶片、枝、树干中可溶性糖淀粉比值均最低,但根的可溶性糖淀粉比值最低值出现在林冠层(0.79).3个林层NSC及其组分均存在显著的季节性变化,可溶性糖及可溶性糖淀粉比均为雨季显著高于旱季,而淀粉和NSC浓度则均在旱季中较高.不同林层NSC及其组分浓度的差异反映了不同高度树种碳利用策略的差异,部分地解释了物种的共存机制.     

地表臭氧浓度升高与干旱交互作用对杨树非结构性碳水化合物积累和叶根分配的短期影响

人类活动加剧和全球变化导致植物在生长季同时受到高浓度地表臭氧(O₃)和干旱的双重胁迫。为了探究两者对植物非结构性碳水化合物(TNC)积累和分配的影响, 该实验采用开顶式气室研究了2种O₃浓度(CF, 过滤空气; NF40, NF (未过滤空气) + 40 nmol·mol ^-1 O₃)和2个水分处理(对照, 充分灌溉; 干旱, 非充分灌溉)及其交互作用对杨树基因型‘546’ (Populus deltoides cv. ‘55/56’ × P. deltoides cv. ‘Imperial’)叶片和细根中TNC及其组分(葡萄糖、果糖、蔗糖、多糖、总可溶性糖和淀粉)含量的影响。结果表明: O₃浓度升高显著降低杨树叶片中淀粉和TNC的含量, 增加葡萄糖、果糖和总可溶性糖含量, 但对细根中淀粉和总可溶性糖含量的影响不显著。干旱胁迫显著增加细根中果糖和多糖含量, 降低蔗糖含量, 但对叶片中淀粉和总可溶性糖含量的影响不显著。充分灌溉下O₃浓度升高显著增加了杨树叶片多糖和总可溶性糖含量, 而干旱下O₃浓度升高显著增加了TNC含量的根叶比。该研究结果发现O₃主要影响叶片中TNC及各组分的含量, 而干旱主要影响细根中TNC及各组分的含量。从杨树叶片TNC的响应来看, 适度的水分限制有助于减缓O₃的负面伤害。     

TRANSLOCATION IN POLYTRICHUM COMMUNE (BRYOPHYTA) I. CONDUCTION AND ALLOCATION OF PHOTOASSIMILATES

Leafy stems and connecting underground rhizomes of Polytrichum commune Hedw. contain leptome tissues similar in structure to phloem. Isolated stems in clonal groupings were pulse labelled with ¹⁴CO₂. Labelled sugar, mostly sucrose, glucose, and fructose, appeared in the pulse labelled stems 30 min after treatment. A small amount (3.3%) of labelled sugar was transported to neighboring stems. Silver grain deposition in microautoradiographs of interconnecting rhizomes occurred predominantly over leptome tissues. Increased amounts of translocated radioactivity appeared in starch and cell wall polysaccharide pools one week and six weeks after treatment. These results 1] indicate that transport of photoassimilate occurs through the leptome of perennating rhizomes, 2] demonstrate that translocated carbon is subsequently utilized or stored, and 3] raise important questions about the significance of long distance transport in the life strategy of this complex clonal moss.     

Effect of soil flooding on photosynthesis,carbohydrate partitioning and nutrient uptake in the invasive exotic Lepidium latifolium

Lepidium latifolium L. is an invasive exotic crucifer that has spread explosively in wetlands and riparian areas of the western United States. To understand the ecophysiological characteristics of L. latifolium that affect its ability to invade riparian areas and wetlands, we examined photosynthesis, chlorophyll concentration, carbohydrate partitioning and nutrient uptake in L. latifolium in response to soil flooding. Photosynthesis of flooded plants was about 60–70% of the rate of unflooded controls. Chlorophyll concentrations of flooded plants were about 60–70% of the unflooded plants during 15–50 days of flooding. Flooding resulted in an increase in leaf starch concentration, but root starch concentration was not significantly affected. However, concentrations of soluble sugar were significantly higher in both leaves and roots of flooded plants than unflooded controls. On day 50 after initial flooding, the concentrations of N, P, K and Zn in leaves of flooded plants were lower than in control plants. The concentrations of Mn and Fe in leaves of flooded plants were eight and two times those of control plants, respectively. In contrast, N, P, K and Zn concentrations of roots of flooded plants were slightly higher than in unflooded plants. The concentrations of Fe and Mn in roots of flooded plants were 15 and 150 times those of the control plants, respectively. The transport of P, K, and Zn to shoots decreased and that of Mn increased under flooding. The accumulation of N, K and Zn in roots decreased and that of Mn increased in response to flooding. The results suggested that the maintenance of relatively high photosynthesis and the accumulation of soluble sugar in roots of flooded plants are important adaptations for this species in flooded environments. Despite a reduction in photosynthesis and disruption in nutrient and photosynthate allocation in response to flooding, L. latifolium was able to survive 50 days of flooding stress. Overall, L. latifolium performed like a facultative hydrophyte species under flooding.     

隔离降雨对马尾松针叶非结构性碳水化合物和碳、氮、磷的影响

植物叶片中的非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)和碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)含量可反映植物和生态系统对水分亏缺环境的响应及适应程度。以福建省长汀县25a马尾松(Pinus massoniana)为对象,原位观测分析了3年持续100%隔离降雨对成年马尾松针叶NSC与C、N、P的影响。结果表明：(1)持续隔离降雨导致马尾松针叶NSC含量先显著增加后减少,最终导致针叶NSC含量季节变化消失;且针叶可溶性糖含量、可溶性糖/淀粉比值在后期显著增加;(2)持续隔离降雨使马尾松针叶N含量、P含量、N∶P均表现为前期与对照组差异不显著,后期显著高于对照组;(3)马尾松针叶NSC含量、可溶性糖含量、P含量、N∶P与土壤水分含量呈显著或极显著相关,且均与P含量显著或极显著相关,与N素无相关性。以上研究结果表明,随着土壤水分含量的持续减少马尾松可通过调整针叶中NSC含量的积累及分配和提高针叶N、P含量来适应缺水环境,P含量的增加对NSC含量波动及可溶性糖和淀粉的相互转化起促进作用。     

Inorganic chemical investigations in the forest biosphere reserve near Kalinin,USSR

Lanthanides (rare-earth elements) were quantitatively determined by atomic emission spectrometry/inductively coupled plasma (AES/ICP) in various plants (Picea abies, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Vaccinium myrtillus, Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum spec., and Hypogymna physodes) collected in the Forest Biosphere Reserve 350 km northwest of Moscow (USSR). Compared with previously established background values for lanthanide elements in central Europe, the rare elements determined in the USSR samples appear in lower concentrations. The lichen Hypogymna physodes can be characterized as an extreme accumulator of lanthanide elements up to a factor of ten compared to the other plant species collected in the Forest Biosphere Reserve. With regard to the lanthanide contents in plants collected in a German reference forest ecosystem, it can be seen, that the German samples represent without exception higher lanthanide values. Leaves of Vaccinium vitis-idaea display contents 3–4 times higher, leaves of Vaccinium myrtillus show concentrations higher by a factor of about 0.3, approximately twice the contents were determined in the German samples of Polytrichum formosum and P. commune, and the values in the German samples of the Sphagnum species are about 3 times that of the Soviet samples. As pointed out for pollution by heavy metals in part I of this series, the Forest Biosphere Reserve is generally characterized by lower contents of lanthanides in the vegetation cover than a comparable forest ecosystem (Grasmoor near Osnabrück, F.R.G.) in central Europe.     

Effects of base cation fertilization on the nutrient status,free amino acids and some carbon fractions of the leaves of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.)

A study was conducted in the Lower Laurentians of southern Quebec to test the hypothesis that base cation fertilization would improve the nutrient status of declining sugar maples (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and alter the partitioning of leaf C and N. Six 40×40 m plots were delineated in an 80 year old stand of sugar maple. Three plots received a mixture of fertilizer and liming materials (500 kg ha^–1 of K₂SO₄, 250 kg ha^–1 of CaCO₃ and 250 kg ha^–1 of CaMg(CO₂)₂) in the spring of 1989. Leaves from mid crown of dominant or co-dominant maples were sampled monthly during the 1990 growing season. Trees were cored in 1992 to measure their response in diameter growth. Fertilization increased diameter growth and foliar K concentration of trees but reduced foliar Ca concentration. Fertilization resulted in lower starch concentrations and higher ratios of soluble sugars to starch in June and September, and in higher free amino acid concentrations but lower ratio of total non-structural carbohydrates to free amino acids in September. Leaf proline concentration was correlated with leaf starch concentration (r=0.39). The results suggest that amelioration of K deficiencies in sugar maple through fertilization with a mixture of base cations can increase tree growth and affect the seasonal dynamics of foliar C and N pools.Abbreviations FAA free amino acids - TNC total non-structural carbohydrates