Optimum foliar nitrogen concentration in pine and its change with stand age

Abstract

Levels of nitrogen in foliage associated with optimum growth of pine were determined in two hydroponic experiments in the glasshouse and two forest fertilizer experiments each designed to cover the full response range for Pinusnigra var. maritima (Ait.) Melv. During the years prior to canopy closure optimum nitrogen concentrations declined with the logarithm of tree weight, falling from 3.3% in very young seedlings to 1.5% in forest trees of 2.0–2.5 m in height. After canopy closure the level increased to about 2.0%. At all stages the concentrations associated with maximum height growth were less than those for maximum volume, weight, or diameter increment. The relationships in the forest experiments, which are on sand dunes in the north of Scotland, could be improved by including factors of rainfall during the previous August and September and of temperature in June of the same year, but this did not alter the optima. It is concluded that for diagnostic purposes critical foliar nitrogen levels must be qualified by the age or developmental stage of the trees.