Relationships between soil chemistry, foliar chemistry, and condition of red spruce at Mount Moosilauke, New Hampshire

Abstract

We measured soil chemical properties and red spruce (Picearubens Sarg.) foliar chemistry and crown condition in the spruce-fir vegetation zone at Mount Moosilauke, New Hampshire. Our measurements were made in or adjacent to permanent plots stratified by elevation, aspect, and soil type. Soils were analyzed for exchangeable Ca, Mg, K, and Al and extractable P and Mn. Foliage was analyzed for Ca, Mg, K, Al, P, and Mn. Based upon the best available provisional standards for red spruce foliar element sufficiency, 1-year-old needles showed a moderate P deficiency (1000–1400 mg•kg−1), Mg levels in a transitional zone from deficiency to sufficiency (600–720 mg•kg−1), and Ca and K levels in a range sufficient for good growth. Foliar element concentrations were not correlated with crown condition. Extractable soil P (kg•ha−1 and cmol ion charge•kg−1) was positively correlated with crown condition. The only significant relationships found between soil exchangeable base cations and crown condition were positive correlations for Ca and Mg (kg•ha−1) in the Oi + Oe horizon. Several factors suggest that red spruce at high elevations at Mount Moosilauke was not stressed from base cation limitations: (i) foliar element concentrations were generally in sufficient ranges, (ii) crown condition was not related to foliar element concentration, (iii) relationships between exchangeable soil cations and foliar concentration or crown condition were generally not significant or were inconsistent between soil horizons.