Effects of Drought, Phosphorus Fertilization and Provenance on the Growth of Common Beech and Sessile Oak

Abstract

The negative impact of drought on plant growth may be modified by the different availability of mineral nutrients and by their adaptation to different local habitat conditions. In this study, we examine the impact of drought, fertilization with phosphorus and provenance, as well as their interactions, on the growth and allometric growth relationships between the belowground and aboveground organs of common beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.). The research was conducted on saplings originating from two mature mixed stands (dry and wet provenances) dominated by these species. In the common garden experiment, saplings were exposed to regular watering and drought in interaction with moderate and high phosphorus concentrations in the growing substrate (achieved by phosphorus fertilization). The obtained results indicate the negative impact of drought and phosphorus fertilization on the growth of both species. In common beech, a negative impact of phosphorus fertilization on the adaptive capacity to drought was demonstrated by unfavorable ratios between fine root mass and the mass of other organs. The sessile oak provenances under the impact of drought showed a different root collar diameter/stem height increment ratio, which indicates their different phenotypic plasticity as a consequence of adaptation to different frequencies of dry periods in their natural habitats.