Tree Uptake Research Articles

Sudden increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration reveals strong coupling between shoot carbon uptake and root nutrient uptake in young walnut trees

We studied the short-term (i.e., a few days) effect of a sudden increase in CO2 uptake by shoots on nutrient (NO3-, P ion, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+) uptake by roots during vegetative growth of young walnut (Juglans nigra x J. major L.) trees. The increase in CO2 uptake was induced by a sudden increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration ([CO2]). Twelve 2-year-old trees were transplanted and grown in perlite-filled pots in a greenhouse. Rates of CO2 uptake and water loss by individual trees were determined by a branch bag method from 3 days before until 6 days after [CO2] was increased. Nutrient uptake rates were measured concurrently by a hydroponic recirculating nutrient solution system that provided non-limiting supplies of water and nutrients. Six control trees were kept in ambient [CO2] (360 ppm), and [CO2] was increased to 550 ppm for one set of three trees and to 800 ppm for another set of three trees. Before imposing the elevated [CO2] treatments, all trees exhibited similar daily water loss, CO2 uptake and nutrient uptake rates when expressed per unit leaf area to account for the tree size effect. Daily water loss rates were only slightly affected by elevated [CO2]. Carbon dioxide uptake rates greatly increased with increasing atmospheric [CO2], and nutrient uptake rates were proportional to CO2 uptake rates during the study period, except for P ion. Our results show that, despite the important carbon and nitrogen storage capacities previously observed in young walnut trees, nutrient uptake by roots is strongly coupled to carbon uptake by shoots over periods of a few days.

Effects of root zone trenching on soil nitrogen dynamics in Japanese cedar and cypress plantations

The effects of root exclusion and planted tree species on soil nitrogen (N) dynamics were examined at two plantations, one planted with Japanese cedar and the other with Japanese cypress. We set up ten 1 × 1 × 0.2-m-deep trenched sites and ten untrenched control sites at each plantation. We measured the pool size and leaching of inorganic N at each site for 2 years and the net N mineralization 1 and 2 years after trenching. Despite similar soil conditions, the cedar plantation showed higher net N mineralization than the cypress plantation. Stopped tree uptake of N was expected to cause an increased pool size and leaching of inorganic N at the trenched sites. Nevertheless, we found no significant increase in those variables at both plantations. The trenched cypress sites showed no decrease in the net N mineralization during the 2 years after trenching. However, the net nitrification at the trenched cypress sites increased remarkably at the deeper horizons in comparison with that at the control sites. Enhanced nitrification might result from improved ammonium availability through root exclusion. Net N mineralization at the trenched cedar sites decreased more than 60% compared with that at the control sites 2 years after trenching. Higher nitrification potential at the cedar plantation and enhanced nitrification potential at the trenched cypress sites never resulted in increased leaching of N, due to added fine root litter which acted as an immobilization agent for excess N, thus preventing N loss.

Stomata open at night in pole-sized and mature ponderosa pine: implications for O3 exposure metrics.

Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.) is widely distributed in the western USA. We report the lack of stomatal closure at night in early summer for ponderosa pine at two of three sites investigated. Trees at a third site with lower nitrogen dioxide and nitric acid exposure, but greater drought stress, had slightly open stomata at night in early summer but closed stomata at night for the rest of the summer. The three sites had similar background ozone exposure during the summer of measurement (2001). Nighttime stomatal conductance (gs) ranged from one tenth to one fifth that of maximum daytime values. In general, pole-sized trees (< 40 years old) had greater nighttime gs than mature trees (> 250 years old). In late summer, nighttime gs was low (< 3.0 mmol H2O m(-2) s(-1)) for both tree size classes at all sites. Measurable nighttime gs has also been reported in other conifers, but the values we observed were higher. In June, nighttime ozone (O3) uptake accounted for 9, 5 and 3% of the total daily O3 uptake of pole-sized trees from west to east across the San Bernardino Mountains. In late summer, O3 uptake at night was < 2% of diel uptake at all sites. Nocturnal O3 uptake may contribute to greater oxidant injury development, especially in pole-sized trees in early summer.

Competition in tree row agroforestry systems. 3. Soil water distribution and dynamics

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that soil water content would vary spatially with distance from a tree row and that the effect would differ according to tree species. A field study was conducted on a kaolinitic Oxisol in the sub-humid highlands of western Kenya to compare soil water distribution and dynamics in a maize monoculture with that under maize (Zea mays L.) intercropped with a 3-year-old tree row of Grevillea robusta A. Cunn. Ex R. Br. (grevillea) and hedgerow of Senna spectabilis DC. (senna). Soil water content was measured at weekly intervals during one cropping season using a neutron probe. Measurements were made from 20 cm to a depth of 225 cm at distances of 75, 150, 300 and 525 cm from the tree rows. The amount of water stored was greater under the sole maize crop than the agroforestry systems, especially the grevillea-maize system. Stored soil water in the grevillea-maize system increased with increasing distance from the tree row but in the senna-maize system, it decreased between 75 and 300 cm from the hedgerow. Soil water content increased least and more slowly early in the season in the grevillea-maize system, and drying was also evident as the frequency of rain declined. Soil water content at the end of the cropping season was similar to that at the start of the season in the grevillea-maize system, but about 50 and 80 mm greater in the senna-maize and sole maize systems, respectively. The seasonal water balance showed there was 140 mm of drainage from the sole maize system. A similar amount was lost from the agroforestry systems (about 160 mm in the grevillea-maize system and 145 mm in the senna-maize system) through drainage or tree uptake. The possible benefits of reduced soil evaporation and crop transpiration close to a tree row were not evident in the grevillea-maize system, but appeared to greatly compensate for water uptake losses in the senna-maize system. Grevillea, managed as a tree row, reduced stored soil water to a greater extent than senna, managed as a hedgerow.

Interactive effects of fertilization and throughfall exclusion on the physiological responses and whole-tree carbon uptake of mature loblolly pine

Few studies have examined the combined effects of nutrition and water exclusion on the canopy physiology of mature loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.). Understanding the impacts of forest management on plantation productivity requires extensive research on the relationship between silvicultural treatments and environmental constraints to growth. We studied the physiological responses of 18-year-old loblolly pine trees exposed to a combination of fertilization (fertilizer or no fertilizer) and throughfall (normal throughfall or throughfall exclusion). Gas exchange variables were measured in the upper and lower crown between 0900 and 1700 h from May to November in 1999. Needle fall was collected to estimate foliage mass and leaf area. Summer drought and throughfall exclusion significantly decreased predawn xylem pressure potential. Needle-level photosynthesis, transpiration, and stomatal conductance declined during the drought and were significantly lower in the throughfall exclusion treatment. Throughfall exclusion also reduced annual foliage mass and daily whole-crown photosynthesis and transpiration. In the normal throughfall treatment, fertilization had no effect on needle-level physiology, but increased annual foliage mass and whole-crown photosynthesis by 26% and 41%, respectively. With the exclusion of throughfall, however, annual foliage mass and daily whole-crown photosynthesis exhibited little response to fertilization. We conclude that greater nutrient availability enhances the carbon uptake of mature loblolly pine trees by stimulating foliage production, but the positive effects of fertilization on leaf area and carbon fixation are limited by low water availability.Key words: foliage mass, photosynthesis, Pinus taeda, seasonal trend, transpiration, xylem pressure potential.

Soil changes and tree growth in intensively managed Pinus radiata in northern Spain

In intensively managed forest plantations, clear-cutting and intensive site preparation may have negative effects on fundamental soil processes that determine the sustainability of these systems. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of highly mechanized site preparation—involving the removal of organic residues (humus layer and slash)—on soil properties and tree growth in radiata pine plantations growing on steep forest land in northern Spain. In spite of the high risk of erosion, this type of management is carried out without any consideration for soil conservation. These plantations are growing on acidic soils with low reserves of available nutrients and therefore nutrient deficiencies may occur in the medium or long term. Site preparation caused moderate to considerable soil compaction and the effects were still pronounced after 9 years. As a consequence of accelerated erosion and soil disturbance, significant depletion of soil organic matter, Ca and Mg available nutrients, cation exchange capacity and base saturation were observed after removal of logging residues; in the most severe cases the effects were still detected 9 years after site preparation. Availability of Ca to trees was also reduced. Nine years after site preparation, scalped and ploughed soils also showed decreased microbial biomass, lower microbial activity, and less aerobic and anaerobic mineralizable N. Tree growth was significantly reduced where the logging residues and humus layer were removed, especially when this was followed by deep ploughing. During the 9 years of the study, the mean annual increment of timber volume decreased from 8.4 to 2.4 m 3 ha −1. We conclude that leaving logging residues on site avoids soil compaction, favours nutrient uptake in trees and maintains soil biological properties. On the basis of these results, the retention of logging residues and reduction of soil perturbation during site preparation are highly recommended.

Comparison between AOT40 and ozone uptake in forest trees of different species, age and site conditions

Abstract The current AOT40 concept for inferring risks in forest trees by ozone (O3) injury is based on an accumulated external O3 exposure rather than an internal O3 dose or uptake rate. AOT40 assumes O3 concentrations below 40 nl l−1 and night-time exposure to be negligible. Hence, this concept is rather inconsistent with observed forest conditions. In contrast, the flux concept of cumulative O3 uptake (CU) into the leaves has the potential of reflecting a physiologically meaningful internal O3 dose experienced by trees. In this paper, we relate AOT40 to cumulative O3 uptake into European beech (Fagus sylvatica), Norway spruce (Picea abies), European larch (Larix decidua) and cembran pine (Pinus cembra) trees differing in size, age and site conditions. We demonstrate that the flux concept can be extended to the tree and the stand level, making use of sap flow measurements through tree trunks. Although in both seedlings and adult trees AOT40 may show some linearity in correlations with average CU, the latter varies, at given AOT40, by 25±11% within and between species. This is because O3 flux is primarily influenced by stomatal aperture, the latter being affected by climate, canopy position, leaf and tree age while varying between species. In particular, if weighed by detoxification capacity, we suggest, therefore, O3 uptake related air quality indices to be promoted towards ecologically meaningful standards in forest protection, overcoming the shortcomings of exposure concepts. As O3 injury results from the balance between O3 uptake and detoxification in the leaf mesophyll, we conclude the flux concept in combination with measures of biochemical defence to have the capacity for predicting tree response to O3 stress.

N uptake, soil retention and loss of soil-applied 15NH415NO3 in young Fuji/M.26 apple trees with different N status

SummaryNitrogen (N) uptake, soil retention and loss of soil-applied N were studied in young apple trees with different N backgrounds. Bench-graft potted Fuji/M.26 (Malus domestica Borkh) trees were fertigated with 5, 10 or 20 mM N twice a week from June to August, and the trees were removed from soil and bare-root stored in a 2°C cold room in December of the first season. In April of the second season, the trees were washed and replanted in containers with a N-free medium (perlite:vermiculite=l:l v), and received 500 ml Hoagland’s nutrient solution without N weekly through the experiment. The trees received 15NH415NO3 at 1g per plant or no N on June 21. Four trees from each treatment were harvested at one, two and four weeks after 15N application, and 15N and total N in plant tissues and soil were analysed. N fertigation rates during the first growing season increased tree growth and N reserve levels, and N content in trees in the second year. New shoot and leaf growth in the following season was positively related to reserve N. 15N uptake increased during the four weeks after 15N application while soil 15N retention decreased. There was no significant difference in the total 15N uptake per tree. However, trees with the lowest N contents at the end of the first growing season had the highest rate of 15N uptake per unit root dry weight. Four weeks after application of 15N, tree uptake of N accounted for about 60% of applied 15N, while about 20% of the N still remained in the soil, and another 20% of the N was lost. Our results suggested that trees with lower N status are more efficient in N uptake from soil.

Foliar physiology of yellow-poplar ( Liriodendron tulipifera L.) exposed to O 3 and elevated CO 2 over five seasons.

The chronic effects of ozone (O3) alone or combined with elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) on the foliar physiology of unfertilized field-grown yellow-poplar ( Liriodendron tulipifera L.) seedlings were studied from 1992 to 1996. Within open-top chambers, juvenile trees were exposed to the following: charcoal-filtered air (CF); 1× ambient ozone (1XO3); 1.5× ambient ozone (1.5XO3); 1.5× ambient ozone plus 700 ppm carbon dioxide (1.5XO3+CO2); or chamberless open-air (OA). Seasonal 24-h mean ambient O3 concentrations ranged from 32 to 46 ppm over the five seasons. Averaged over 5 years, midseason net photosynthesis at saturating light ( A sat) was reduced by 14% ( P =0.029) and stomatal conductance ( g s) was reduced, albeit non-significant, by 13% ( P =0.096) in upper canopy foliage exposed to 1.5XO3-air relative to CF controls. There were no significant differences over the 5 years in A sat and g s between trees grown in 1XO3- and 1.5XO3-air. Our results support the hypothesis that the magnitude of O3 effects on A sat and g s decreases as saplings age. When averaged over the five seasons of exposure, total chlorophyll concentration ( chl) was not significantly affected by exposure to elevated O3; however, in 1.5XO3+CO2-air, foliar chl was reduced by 33% relative to all others ( P <0.001). In 1.5XO3+CO2-air, A sat was 1.4–1.9 times higher ( P <0.001) and g s was 0.7 times lower ( P =0.022) than all others. O3 uptake in juvenile trees exposed to elevated O3 plus elevated CO2 (1.5XO3+CO2-air) was most comparable to trees exposed to ambient air (1XO3) throughout the study. These findings suggest that elevated CO2 may minimize the negative effects of O3 by reducing O3 uptake through decreased stomatal conductance.

Isotopic and molecular distributions of biochemicals from fresh and buried Rhizophora mangle leaves†.

Rhizophora mangle L. (red mangrove) is the dominant species of mangrove in the Americas. At Twin Cays, Belize (BZ) red mangroves are present in a variety of stand structures (tall >5 m in height, transition ~2–4 m and dwarf ~1–1.5 m). These height differences are coupled with very different stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic values[1] (mean tall δ13C = -28.3‰, δ15N = 0‰; mean tall δ13C = -25.3‰, δ15N = -10‰). To determine the utility of using these distinct isotopic compositions as 'biomarkers' for paleoenvironmental reconstruction of mangrove ecosystems and nutrient availability, we investigated the distribution and isotopic (δ13C and δ15N) composition of different biochemical fractions (water soluble compounds, free lipids, acid hydrolysable compounds, individual amino acids, and the residual un-extractable compounds) in fresh and preserved red mangrove leaves from dwarf and tall trees. The distribution of biochemicals are similar in dwarf and tall red mangrove leaves, suggesting that, regardless of stand structure, red mangroves use nutrients for biosynthesis and metabolism in a similar manner. However, the δ13C and δ15N of the bulk leaf, the biochemical fractions, and seven amino acids can be used to distinguish dwarf and tall trees at Twin Cays, BZ. The data support the theory that the fractionation of carbon and nitrogen occurs prior to or during uptake in dwarf and tall red mangrove trees. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes could, therefore, be powerful tools for predicting levels of nutrient limitation at Twin Cays. The δ13C and δ15N of biochemical fractions within preserved leaves, reflect sedimentary cycling and nitrogen immobilization. The δ15N of the immobilized fraction reveals the overlying stand structure at the time of leaf deposition. The isotopic composition of preserved mangrove leaves could yield significant information about changes in ecosystem dynamics, nutrient limitation and past stand structure in mangrove paleoecosystems.

Base Cation and Nitrogen Budgets for a Mixed Hardwood Catchment in South-central Ontario

There is growing concern that available base cation pools in soil are declining in eastern North America and that some forests are approaching nitrogen (N) saturation due to the combined effects of acid deposition and harvesting. To assess these concerns, elemental mass balances for calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), and N were conducted over a 17-year period in a representative mixed hardwood forest (HP4) in the Muskoka-Haliburton region in central Ontario, Canada. On average, 76% of the N measured in bulk deposition, which is a conservative estimate of total N deposition, was retained in HP4, with tree uptake accounting for over half of the retained N. Year-to-year variations in annual NO3 export were affected by climate variations, although the low annual NO3-N concentrations (80–156 μg/L) suggest that HP4 is not approaching N saturation. Losses of Ca, Mg, and K in stream export plus accumulation in trees (more than 12 cm in diameter at breast height) exceeded inputs in deposition by 296, 76.2, and 53.6 kg/ha, respectively, over the 17-year period. Inclusion of mineral weathering estimates obtained using PROFILE, zirconium (Zr) depletion, and total analysis correlation failed to balance Ca losses from HP4, and calculations indicate that between 98 and 145 kg/ha (depending on mineral weathering estimate) was lost from the soil exchangeable pool between 1983 and 1999. These losses were supported by repeated field measurements, which showed that the exchangeable Ca concentrations and soil pH decreased over the 17-year period, particularly in the upper soil horizons. When mineral weathering estimates are included, mass balance calculations generally indicated that there was no net loss of Mg and K from HP4, which was confirmed by our soil measurements. At present, there is sufficient Ca in the soil exchangeable pool to sustain forest growth at HP4; however, continued losses of Ca due to leaching and harvesting at the present rate may ultimately threaten the health and productivity of the forest within just a few decades.

Genetic variation in branchlet carbon and nitrogen isotope composition and nutrient concentration of 11-year-old hoop pine families in relation to tree growth in subtropical Australia

Genetic variation in tree growth and branchlet carbon isotope composition (δ 13C), nitrogen (N) isotope composition (δ 15N) and nutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn) concentration of 11-year-old hoop pine ( Araucaria cunninghamii Ait. ex D. Don) half-sib families were examined at two contrasting sites (31 families with 8 blocks sampled at a wet site and 27 families with 9 blocks at a dry site) in south-east Queensland, Australia. Genetic correlations were determined between the tree growth traits, between the physiological traits, and between the physiological and growth traits. The potential of using these tree physiological traits was evaluated for assisting in selection of elite hoop pine families with improved water-use efficiency (WUE) as reflected in branchlet δ 13C, nutrient (particularly N)-use efficiency (NUE) and tree growth. At the wet site there was significant genetic variation in tree growth, branchlet δ 13C, nutrient concentration and mineral concentration among the 11-year-old hoop pine families, with heritability estimates ranging from 0.26 to 0.72. At the dry site, there was also significant genetic variation in some of the corresponding variables with heritability estimates ranging from 0.26 to 0.54. There seemed to be significant family variation in branchlet δ 15N at the dry site ( P=0.068), with a moderate heritability estimate of 0.21, but not at the wet site. Some strong genetic correlations were also found between the tree growth traits, between the physiological traits, and between the tree growth and the physiological traits. Tree WUE and branchlet nutrient concentrations were significantly influenced by rainfall and soil fertility. Branchlet δ 15N at the wet site was significantly lower than that at the dry site, suggesting that soil microbial–plant interactions might play a role in discriminating soil available 15N in favor of 14N for tree uptake (lower δ 15N in plant tissues) at the wet site. Branchlet δ 13C δ 15N and nutrient (particularly N) concentration show promise as physiological and nutritional traits for assisting in the selection of elite hoop pine families with improved tree WUE, NUE and growth for the more water- and nutrient-limited environments in subtropical Australia.

Growth and nutrient uptake of ectomycorrhizal Pinus sylvestris seedlings in a natural substrate treated with elevated Al concentrations.

Models of the effects of elevated concentrations of aluminum (Al) on growth and nutrient uptake of forest trees frequently ignore the effects of mycorrhizal fungi. In this study, we present novel data indicating that ectomycorrhizal mycelia may prevent leaching of base cations and Al. Mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal Pinus sylvestris L. seedlings were grown in sand obtained from the B-horizon of a local forest. In Experiment 1, non-mycorrhizal seedlings and seedlings inoculated with Hebeloma cf. longicaudum (Pers.: Fr.) Kumm. ss. Lange or Laccaria bicolor (Maire) Orton were provided with nutrient solution containing 2.5 mM Al. Aluminum did not affect growth of non-mycorrhizal seedlings or seedlings inoculated with L. bicolor. Seedlings colonized by H. cf. longicaudum had the highest biomass production of all seedlings grown without added Al, but the fungus did not tolerate Al. Shoots of seedlings colonized by L. bicolor had the lowest nitrogen (N) concentrations but the highest phosphorus (P) concentrations of all seedlings. The treatments had small but significant effects on shoot and root Al concentrations. In Experiment 2, inoculation with L. bicolor was factorially combined with the addition of a complete nutrient solution, or a solution lacking the base cations K, Ca and Mg, and solutions containing 0 or 0.74 mM Al. Seedling growth decreased in response to 0.74 mM Al, but the effect was significant only for non-mycorrhizal seedlings. Mycorrhizal seedlings generally had higher P concentrations than non-mycorrhizal seedlings. Aluminum reduced P uptake in non-mycorrhizal plants but had no effect on P uptake in mycorrhizal plants. Mycorrhizal colonization increased the pH of the soil solution by about 0.5 units and addition of Al decreased the pH by the same amount. We conclude that the presence of ectomycorrhizal mycelia decreased leaching of base cations and Al from the soil.

Effects of P fertilisation on productivity and nutrient accumulation in a Eucalyptus grandis × E. urophylla plantation in southern China

Phosphorus deficiency is the main constraint to productivity of eucalypt plantations in southern China, but knowledge of P application on nutrient utilisation by eucalypt plantations in China is limited. This study, therefore, investigates the impacts of P fertiliser rate on biomass production, nutrient uptake, partition and use, efficiency of a 75-month-old clonal plantation of Eucalyptus grandis× E . urophylla on a high P sorption oxisol near Kaiping, southern China. Results show that P application significantly increased tree growth, biomass production, N, P and K uptake, and decreased understorey biomass and litter dry weight. Application of 208 kg P ha −1 was adequate for tree growth. The proportion of stem–wood was increased and the proportion of root biomass was decreased as the quantity of phosphorus applied increased. The application of P also increased the proportion of tree biomass:total biomass of tree, understorey and litter. The N and K use efficiencies for tree biomass and stem–wood production increased with P supply. The P use efficiency was highest in the 13 kg P ha −1 treatment, and decreased at higher rates of P. The P recovery by tree uptake was between 7.6 and 25.3% and decreased as the quantity of P applied increased. It is suggested that harvest residue, as well as understorey and litter should be retained on the site after harvest so that the accumulated P in these components following P fertilisation can benefit tree growth in the next rotation. The study also indicated that N is likely to limit productivity after P due to the high uptake of N by the understorey.

Fate of Nitrate and Bromide in an Unsaturated Zone of a Sandy Soil under Citrus Production

Understanding water and nutrient transport through the soil profile is important for efficient irrigation and nutrient management to minimize excess nutrient leaching below the rootzone. We applied four rates of N (28, 56, 84, and 112 kg N ha(-1); equivalent to one-fourth of annual N rates being evaluated in this study for bearing citrus trees), and 80 kg Br- ha(-1) to a sandy Entisol with >25-yr-old citrus trees to (i) determine the temporal changes in NO3-N and Br- distribution down the soil profile (2.4 m), and (ii) evaluate the measured concentrations of NO3-N and Br- at various depths with those predicted by the Leaching Estimation and Chemistry Model (LEACHM). Nitrate N and Br concentrations approached the background levels by 42 and 214 d, respectively. Model-predicted volumetric water content and concentrations of NO3-N and Br- at various depths within the entire soil profile were very close to measured values. The LEACHM data showed that 21 to 36% of applied fertilizer N leached below the root zone, while tree uptake accounted for 40 to 53%. Results of this study enhance our understanding of N dynamics in these sandy soils, and provide better evaluation of N and irrigation management to improve uptake efficiency, reduce N losses, and minimize the risk of ground water nitrate contamination from soils highly vulnerable to nutrient leaching.

137Cs and90Sr root uptake of pine saplings in a managed forest

Effects of liming (4000 kg calcium-magnesium carbonate per hectare) and soil preparation (with a disc plow) on 137 C sand Sr uptake of pine saplings (Pinus sylvestris) were studied in a dry heath forest in western Finland. Four treatments were studied: liming, soil preparation, liming followed by soil preparation, and control. The trees were planted in 1987 ; one year after the soil management, on a site contaminated by Chernobyl derived 137 Cs. Sampling of various tree parts and soil was carried out in 1991. Soil preparation increased highly significantly dry mass of the whole tree and branches and needles of C and C+1 year classes, and significantly masses of roots, stem, and older branches and needles. In all these fractions the content of Sr increased significantly. The 137 Cs concentrations in all tree fractions were highest in samples from the control plots, but Sr differed from this pattern. Soil preparation decreased significantly the 137 Cs concentrations in roots and living needles. The changes in 137 Cs and Sr contents in trees may partially be traced back to increased nutrient mobility and root mass and changed root distribution in soil, and also to different relations of Cs-K and Sr-Ca in uptake and translocation processes of trees.

Competition in tree row agroforestry systems. 2. Distribution, dynamics and uptake of soil inorganic N

The effect of tree row species on the distribution of soil inorganic N and the biomass growth and N uptake of trees and crops was investigated beneath a Grevillea robustaA. Cunn. ex R. Br. (grevillea) tree row and Senna spectabilisDC. (senna) hedgerow grown with Zea mays L. (maize) and a sole maize crop, during one cropping season. The hypothesis was that a tree with a large nutrient uptake would have a greater competitive effect upon coexisting plants than a tree that takes up less and internally cycles nutrients. The field study was conducted on a kaolinitic Oxisol in the sub-humid highlands of western Kenya. Soil nitrate and ammonium were measured to 300 cm depth and 525 cm distance from the tree rows, before and after maize cropping. Ammonium concentrations were small and did not change significantly during the cropping season. There was > 8 mg nitrate kg−1 in the upper 60 cm and at 90–180 cm depth at the start of the season, except within 300 cm of the senna hedgerow where concentrations were smaller. During the season, nitrate in the grevillea-maize system only decreased in the upper 60 cm, whereas nitrate decreased at almost every depth and distance from the senna hedgerow. Inorganic N (nitrate plus ammonium) decreased by 94 kg ha−1 in the senna-maize system and 33 kg ha−1 in the grevillea-maize system.

The impact of forest residue removal and wood ash amendment on the growth of the ectomycorrhizal external mycelium

Intensive harvesting of forest residues for energy production may lead to the depletion of organic matter and mineral nutrients in the forest floor. In order to restore nutrient content wood ash has been suggested as a fertiliser. Ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi are involved in the nutrient uptake of forest trees and this study investigates the influence of intensive harvesting and wood ash fertilisation on the external EM mycelium in forest soil. Nylon mesh bags filled with sand were buried in September 1997 in field plots which had or had not been intensively harvested. The effect of wood ash on the production of external EM mycelium was studied in mesh bags amended with wood ash. Mesh bags were retrieved in May and October 1998. The relative amount of fungal mycelia in the mesh bags was estimated with phospholipid fatty acid analysis. The fungi colonising the mesh bags were mainly (>90%) ectomycorrhizal. Fungal biomass in the mesh bags was low in the spring but high in the autumn. No significant effect on EM fungal biomass was observed in the mesh bags collected from intensively harvested plots compared with those from control plots, but wood ash amendment resulted in 2.4 times more EM fungal biomass (P<0.05). The effect of external EM mycelium on the dissolution of wood ash was studied in mesh bags filled with wood ash, using mesh bags buried in soil isolated from roots as EM-free controls. The external EM mycelium had no effect on the dissolution rate of the wood ash. 80% of the potassium was lost from the wood ash within a month, whereas no phosphorus was lost during the experimental period (up to 13 months).

The impact of forest residue removal and wood ash amendment on the growth of the ectomycorrhizal external mycelium

Intensive harvesting of forest residues for energy production may lead to the depletion of organic matter and mineral nutrients in the forest floor. In order to restore nutrient content wood ash has been suggested as a fertiliser. Ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi are involved in the nutrient uptake of forest trees and this study investigates the influence of intensive harvesting and wood ash fertilisation on the external EM mycelium in forest soil. Nylon mesh bags filled with sand were buried in September 1997 in field plots which had or had not been intensively harvested. The effect of wood ash on the production of external EM mycelium was studied in mesh bags amended with wood ash. Mesh bags were retrieved in May and October 1998. The relative amount of fungal mycelia in the mesh bags was estimated with phospholipid fatty acid analysis. The fungi colonising the mesh bags were mainly (>90%) ectomycorrhizal. Fungal biomass in the mesh bags was low in the spring but high in the autumn. No significant effect on EM fungal biomass was observed in the mesh bags collected from intensively harvested plots compared with those from control plots, but wood ash amendment resulted in 2.4 times more EM fungal biomass ( P<0.05). The effect of external EM mycelium on the dissolution of wood ash was studied in mesh bags filled with wood ash, using mesh bags buried in soil isolated from roots as EM-free controls. The external EM mycelium had no effect on the dissolution rate of the wood ash. 80% of the potassium was lost from the wood ash within a month, whereas no phosphorus was lost during the experimental period (up to 13 months).

Relating Ozone Uptake in Forest Trees to Risk Assessment

This paper reviews the importance of ozone uptake through plant stomata in understanding plant response to ozone and discusses challenges in quantifying ozone uptake in forest trees. Uncertainties in spatial and temporal scaling of ozone uptake from the leaf to the landscape level, insufficient monitoring of ozone in forested areas, and tremendous variability in the composition and structure of forest ecosystems of the United States prevent the current use of ozone uptake in large-scale risk assessments and regulatory decisions.