Nutrition Of Spruce Research Articles

Combined fertilizers versus dolomitic limestone: A comparative study from a forest habitat with Norway spruce

Abstract The research paper with character of case study deals with the influence of amelioration on soil as well as the Norway spruce nutrition and growth, with the focus on dolomitic limestone and combined fertilizer applications. The study was performed in the 7-year-old forest stand (Nízký Jeseník Mountains, Czech Republic, 100% Norway spruce, podzol, mor humus form, slightly undulated slope, 770 m a.s.l.). The soil properties (soil reaction, nutrient status, C/N ratio and cation exchange capacity), the plant nutrition, the plant biomass production and the health status were measured. Neither the expected significant increase in pH due to liming in the root zone nor the increase in calcium and magnesium in the soil was confirmed. In the dolomitic limestone treatment, the highest hydrolytic acidity reaching 260 mmol+/kg, the worst development of assimilatory organs, the growth and health status of individuals were ascertained one year after the usage. The application of combined fertilizers resulted in the highest response in the needle biomass production (0.35 g/100 needles compared to less than 0.30 g/100 needles in the dolomitic limestone treatment), in the potassium and phosphorus nutrition status (suboptimal 4–4.5% of potassium in dolomitic limestone and the control treatment compared to optimal 5.5–7.5% in the combined fertilizers treatments) and simultaneously to the optimization of the health status. Specifically, in forest stands, the effect of dolomitic limestone is rather overestimated and furthermore, chemical amelioration requires the detailed knowledge of the forest site.

Effects of magnesite fertilization on soil properties and nutrition state of weakened Norway Spruce stands in the Śnieżnik Massif of Polish Eastern Sudety Mountains

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of fertilization with magnesite, 6 years after its application. The magnesite fertilizer was applied in amount of 2,000 kg·ha-1 in 2006. Fertilization covers the surface of 43 ha. Soil exploration in fertilized and unfertilized areas was carried out in August 2012. Needles and soil samples were collected for basic laboratory analysis. The effect of magnesite fertilization in soil was detected down to the B horizon. The principal excess of exchangeable magnesium (88%) was found in the surface organic horizon, while a substantial excess of total magnesium (57%) was detected in the top mineral horizon. The fertilization with magnesite caused the decreasing: acidity, ratio of calcium to magnesium in the absorption complex, supply of calcium in soil. Additionally, an increased magnesium supply in soil and its effect in the needles of the investigated spruce stands were noted. Research study confirm the usefulness of ground magnesite in elimination the deficit of magnesium in soils and needles of spruce stands in the Śnieżnik Massif for an extended period of time. Fertilization with magnesite at low doses may bring beneficial and quick effects to the health condition and productivity of spruce stands growing on soils well supplied with nitrogen.
 Keywords: spruce stands decline; soil properties; fertilization with magnesite, spruce nutrition status.

Importance of soil extractable phosphorus distribution for mature Norway spruce nutrition and productivity

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for forest growth. In this study, we assessed the impact of soil extractable phosphorus using two simple extraction methods on nutrition and productivity of Norway spruce in sixteen mature forest stands on different bedrocks and soils in Bavaria, Southern Germany. Representative trees were sampled for needles, twigs, branches, stem bark, and stem wood. Total phosphorus content in the tree parts and soil phosphorus stock extractable with citric acid and sodium bicarbonate up to a soil depth of 80 cm were determined. We found that easily soil extractable phosphorus is a suitable indicator for estimating phosphorus uptake and stand productivity in Norway spruce. In contrast, organic layer phosphorus showed no significant correlation with aboveground biomass phosphorus contents. In the biomass, the highest phosphorus contents were measured in young needles and twigs, but the highest correlation with soil phosphorus was detected for phosphorus contents in needles and bark. The stock of phosphorus extracted by citric acid down to 40 cm soil depth revealed the best correlation with phosphorus in needles and bark. Therefore, as a supplemental or alternative method to needle analysis, our study suggests the use of phosphorus contents in stem bark to evaluate tree phosphorus nutrition. These results highlight the suitability of the citric acid soil extraction method to characterize plant available phosphorus in Norway spruce ecosystems.

Initial Fertilization Impact on Norway Spruce Nutrition and Growth in the Krušné Hory Mts.

The aim of this study consisted in verifying the hypothesis whether the application of tableted fertilizers Silvamix® Forte, Silvamix® R, Stromfolixyl® and calcareous dolomite affected significantly the nutrition and growth of Norway spruce. In order to carry out research investigation, the experimental Suchdol locality has been selected as it represents large‑scale reclaimed sites in the Krušné hory Mts. Ameliorating agents were applied using the initial spot fertilization of Norway spruce plantations. In the course of two years, activities as follows were carried out annually: (1) top shoots measurement, (2) sampling the latest needle year‑class. The applied fertilizers impact on the concentrations of nutrients in needle dry matter was not significant with minor exception. Fertilizers Silvamix® Forte and Silvamix® R can be recommended to support seedlings growth in the area of interest since there had been positive effect on annual height increment found out. Calcareous dolomite showed the most favourable effect on the shoot biomass growth. Stromfolixyl® fertilizer had no effect on the annual increment; its impact on the nutrition can be characterized as insignificant since fertilized individuals showed lower phosphorus concentration in needle dry matter.

Regional and site-related patterns of soil nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium stocks and Norway spruce nutrition in mountain forests of the Bavarian Alps

Background and aims For the mountain forests of the Alps, limited comprehensive information is available about soil stocks of important nutrients (N, P, K), stand nutrition, and relationships between soil status and stand nutrition.

Prevalence of Phosphorus, Potassium, and Calcium Limitations in White Spruce across Canada

ABSTRACT In Canada, the coniferous forest was generally found to be nitrogen (N) deficient, but base cation deficiencies may be becoming more prevalent. Newly-developed nutritional standards based on leaf nutrient concentrations and compositional nutrient diagnosis (CND) were applied on published data of white spruce nutrition from sites across Canada. Results suggest that nutritional disorders in white spruce are not restricted to N deficiencies. Based on nutrient concentrations, deficiencies are common, particularly in phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and calcium (Ca), but toxicities are rare. The CND analysis revealed some cases of excess N, P, and magnesium (Mg).

The effect of liming on the mineral nutrition of the mountain Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) forest

Mineral nutrition represents the uptake, transport, metabolism and utilization of nutrients by the forest stand. These processes influence all physiological functions of trees. A specific minimum amount of all nutrients is necessary for the healthy development and growth of forest trees. The uptake of nutrients is influenced not only by natural conditions but also by anthropogenic activities. During the period of 2000–2005 the mineral nutrition of mountain Norway spruce stands was studied at the study site Bílý Kříž (Moravian-Silesian Beskids Mts., Czech Republic). Research was carried out in a spruce stand that was limed in the past years (in 1983, 1985 and 1987) and in a spruce stand that was not limed in order to compare the liming effect on the mineral nutrition of spruce stands. A positive liming effect was detected in the calcium, magnesium and phosphorus nutrition because their contents in current needles were higher on the limed plots. No liming effect was determined in the nitrogen, potassium and microelement (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Al) content in current needles. Sufficient nutrition of spruce stands only with calcium was recorded on all studied plots.

A contribution to the effect of liming on forest soils: review of literature

Extensive forest areas were ameliorated by large-scale liming in the last years in order to prevent proceeding acidification and degradation of forest soils. The hitherto knowledge of liming effects on the function of forest soils still appears insufficient for an unambiguous evaluation. Sorption properties of soils and acidity are favourably affected by liming and the favourable effect is usually manifested in the layer of forest floor humus and in mineral soil within ten years. Reduction of soil acidity stimulates development of a bacterial component of microflora, soil edaphon, and good prerequisites are formed for a release of nutrients from soil organic matter. Improvement of some physical parameters of soils and negative effect of liming on the depth of rooting in spruce, availability of nutrients at some sites and in connection with mechanical soil preparation were also described. A key point of liming effect on forest soils is nitrogen dynamics. Mineralization of nitrogen is stimulated at nitrogen-rich sites with C/N < 30. Nitrogen-limited sites show nitrogen mineralization inhibited by liming with signs of pronounced deficiency in spruce nutrition. A positive effect of liming on nutrition with bases is generally accompanied by an adverse influence on N dynamics in acidic soils under spruce monocultures. Therefore it is possible to state that liming induces relatively marked changes in the soil but the actual growth response of woody species cannot be derived only from these changes.

Interactions among Kalmia angustifolia, soil characteristics, and the growth and nutrition of black spruce seedlings in two boreal Newfoundland plantations of contrasting fertility

To determine the nature of the negative influence of Kalmia angustifolia L. on black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) seedling growth and foliar nutrient concentrations, the effect of proximity to Kalmia on spruce seedlings was studied on two Kalmia-dominated sites of contrasting soil characteristics in central Newfoundland. Spruce seedlings and the soil at the base of their stems were sampled, and spruce leader length and foliar N and P concentration, as well as various physicochemical soil characteristics, were determined. Path analysis was used to determine the strength of direct and indirect relationships among variables hypothesized to be causally linked. Path diagrams were generated based on current knowledge of nutrient cycling in boreal ecosystems and mechanisms previously hypothesized to account for the influence of Kalmia on black spruce. On the wetter and richer site, proximity to Kalmia was associated with reduced spruce growth and humus extractable NH4-N, suggesting nutrient competition. On the drier and poorer site, results were consistent with a direct negative effect of Kalmia on the N nutrition of spruce. On both sites, we also found evidence for a direct effect of Kalmia on spruce growth that is consistent with allelopathic effects on spruce function.

Dissolution Rate of Fluor-Apatite Crystals Inserted in Acid Soils of a Forested Catchment (Vosges Mountains, NE France)

In the Strengbach catchment (Vosges Mountain, NE France), the Ca and Mg nutrition of spruce and beech stands is very poor. Water and mineral fluxes through beech and spruce stands have been monitored at these sites since 1987. Ca supply is limited because its amount in the granite bedrock (CaO = 0.15-0.30 wt.%), in the bulk soil (CaO = 0.01-0.30 wt.%) and on the cation exchange capacity (CaO = 0.01-0.3 creole kg -1) is very low. Total and exchangeable Ca in the fine earth (< 2mm) of the layer soil (0-120 cm) is respectively about 8.4-9.6 t.ha -1 and 130-140 kg ha l . The rate of calcium release by weathering of soil primary minerals has been computed from detailed quantitative mineralogical data and mineral fluxes monitored at these two sites using steady state soil chemistry model PROFILE (Sverdrup and Warfvinge; 1993). Obtained values were extremely low (0.1-1.2 kg ha i yr l ) (Fichter et al., 1998a). Ca-bearing minerals in soils are albite and apatite. Although, apatite is the trace mineral in soil, Ca is principally located in this mineral because Ca content in albite is very low (CAO:0.45-0.53 wt.%) (Fichter et al., 1998b). Only few data of fluorapatite dissolution rate of fluor-apatite were published. In the aim to determinate the dissolution rate of fluor-apatite in these soils, the mineral test technique was used.

MINERAL NUTRITION OF RED SPRUCE SEEDLINGS IN AN ACIDIC FOREST SOIL

Coniferous forest trees showing chlorosis and dieback appear to be deficient in Ca and Mg. These deficiencies may be induced by nitrogenous nutrients borne in the atmosphere. This study assessed the roles of nitrogen nutrition and soil on nutrient accumulation by red spruce (Picea rubens, Sarg.) and radishes (Raphanus sativus, L.). Plants were grown in the greenhouse in acid O or A horizons (Typic Haplorthod) collected from a red spruce forest. Plants were grown with a complete nutrient solution with 15 mM N of which NH4 was 0, 3.75, 7.5, 11.25, or 15 mM with the remainder being NO3-. After 120 days, the spruce needles became chlorotic with 11.25 or 15 mM NH4. Radishes exhibited NH4-toxicity after 28 days. Radishes were larger in the O horizon than in the A horizon. As NH4 was increased, radishes had lesser dry weights and accumulated less foliar Ca. Foliar Ca also was lower in spruce with the higher NH4. Magnesium concentrations in leaves of red spruce and radishes were not affected significantly by increasing NH4 supply. Radishes are suitable indicator plants to study the effect of nitrogen form on mineral nutrition of spruce because each species responded similarly to the treatments.