Abstract
Aim of study. Appropriate knowledge regarding teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) nutrition is required for a better management of the plantations to attain high productivity and sustainability. This study aims to answer the following questions: How can it be determined if a teak tree suffers a nutrient deficiency before it shows symptoms? Are nutrient concentration decreases in older trees associated with age-related declines in forest productivity?Area of study. Costa Rica and Panama.Material and Methods. Nutrient concentration in different tree tissues (bole, bark, branches and foliage) were measured at different ages using false-time-series in 28 teak plantationsResearch highlights. Foliar N concentration decreases from 2.28 in year 1 to 1.76% in year 19. Foliar Mg concentration increases from 0.23 in year 1 to 0.34% in year 19. The foliar concentrations of the other nutrients are assumed to be constant with tree age: 1.33% Ca, 0.88% K, 0.16% P, 0.12% S, 130 mg kg-1 Fe, 43 mg kg-1 Mn, 11 mg kg-1 Cu, 32 mg kg-1 Zn and 20 mg kg-1 B. The nutrient concentration values showed can be taken as a reference to evaluate the nutritional status of similar teak plantations in the region. The concentrations of K, Mg and N could be associated with declines in teak plantation productivity as the plantation becomes older. Whether age-related changes in nutrient concentrations are a cause or a consequence of age-related declines in productivity is an issue for future research with the aim of achieving higher growth rates throughout the rotation period.Key words: forest nutrition; age-related decline in productivity; nutrient foliar concentration; nutrient bole concentration; resorption.
Highlights
Teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) has been planted extensively in Central America, acquiring socio-economical relevance due to its productivity (Pandey and Brown, 2000; FAO, 2002)
Reference foliar nutrient concentrations have been summarized for teak (Drechsel and Zech, 1991; Boardman et al, 1997), and a preliminary Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) has been developed for West African planted teak forests (Drechsel and Zech, 1994)
B concentrations did not show any relationship with age in any tissue (Table 2); B-bark (31 mg kg–1) was highest, B-foliage (20 mg kg–1) was high compared to B-branches (11 mg kg–1) and B-bole (3 mg kg–1)
Summary
Teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) has been planted extensively in Central America, acquiring socio-economical relevance due to its productivity (Pandey and Brown, 2000; FAO, 2002). Appropriate knowledge regarding teak nutrition is still required for a better management of the plantations to attain high productivity and sustainability. The concentrations of nutrients in tissues depend mainly on species, environmental factors (climate and soil availability) and plantation management. Whether comparing different species or within a single species, genetic requirements, root distribution and age (developmental stage) are usually the most important factors affecting nutrient absorption. Tree nutrition is considered crucial to sustain high growth rates and rapid expansion of the crown and roots. After the crown is fully developed, if seedling nutrition has been adequate, tree requirements during the remainder of the rotation are assumed to be satisfied by environmental inputs, nutrient recycling and nutrient translo-
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