The effect of soil desiccation on the nutrient status of Eucalyptus regnans F. Muell seedlings

Abstract

The poor growth of young Eucalyptus regnans seedlings in undried soil from the mature forest of E. regnans can be overcome by previously air-drying the soil or by adding sufficient amounts of complete soluble fertilizer or equivalent concentrations of P (as NaH2PO4) and N (as NaNO3). A factorial pot experiment in which phosphate and nitrate were added to undried soil indicated that P was the primary deficiency for young seedlings and that response to N did not occur until this lack was satisfied. In dried soil, seedlings also responded to additions of complete fertilizer but most of this effect was due to N rather than P. Field trials in the mature forest also indicated greater growth in dried soil than undried soil and confirmed a response of young seedlings to superphosphate. In pot experiments, the concentration of P and N per g plant dry weight after four months was relatively constant irrespective of the final size of the plant. Seedlings in dried soil extracted up to 15 times more P than did those grown in undried soil. In general, chemical analysis of soil indicated more extractable P and N from dried soil although this was not always consistently so. Soil desiccation resulted in an increase in soil surface area due to the fragmentation of larger peds and to an increase in the number of microfractures which remained in the soil crumbs after rewetting. Mycorrhiza are likely to be important since the differentiation of the growth response of seedlings in dried and undried soil, which occurred at 5–6 weeks, corresponded with the establishment of full ectomycorrhizal development (80% root tips). The factors concerned with the increase in fertility after air-drying are discussed.