Nutrient acquisition from different soil depths by pedunculate oak

Abstract

Eight oak trees (Quercus robur L.) received 32 P at a soil depth of 50 cm and 33 P at a soil depth of 15 cm at the end of June 2002 through plastic tubes inserted into the mineral soil. The phosphorus uptake from different soil depths was estimated by analysing the concentration of 32 P and 33 P in the foliage of oak growing in a mixed stand in southern Sweden. 32 P and 33 P were recovered in the leaves/needles after 21 and 39 days. The recovery of labelled P in oak was higher from 15 cm soil depth than from 50 cm, however, more than 4% of the total amount of labelled P was taken up from 50 cm. This indicates that oak can utilize deep soil layers for nutrient uptake. A study on the uptake of Cs (as an analogue to K) and 15 N into the leaves was performed on the same trees and detectable amounts of 15 N and Cs were recovered in leaves and buds. This indicates that 15 N and Cs can be used to study nutrient uptake of mature trees from the mineral soil.

Simulating mycorrhiza contribution to forest C- and N cycling-the MYCOFON model

“…N uptake rates were varied in a range of -50% and +50% of the baseline level for each N-form except for fungal and root NH 4 . Fungal NH 4 uptake was varied according to the range published in Plassard et al (1991), root NH 4 uptake was derived from Göransson et al(2006b), Wallenda (2000), and Carrodus (1966).…”

Crown condition dynamics of oak in southern Sweden 1988’999

“…We speculate that a more developed root system in older oaks with higher maintenance costs, as compared to younger trees, might render these trees more sensitive to changes in soil conditions. Despite the fact that oak can develop deep root systems (Rothe and Binkley 2001) with detectable uptake of nutrients at depths below 30 cm (Göransson et al 2006), it is the upper layers of the mineral soil which provide most of the nutrients for the trees (Wallander et al 2004). Acidification of this part of the soil profile can therefore have detrimental effects on the uptake of soil nutrients, which in turn, may affect the trees capacity to resist environmental stresses (e.g.…”

The vertical distribution of N and K uptake in relation to root distribution and root uptake capacity in mature Quercus robur, Fagus sylvatica and Picea abies stands

“…Sixty-five days after injection buds and leaves and needles were sampled by collecting eight branches, including foliage, from all around the upper half of the crown (in spruce around the eighth node from the top and only current year needles). The time of 65 days was shown to be sufficient in the study by Göransson et al (2006a) and Göransson (2006). The buds, leaves and current-year needles were then dried at 40°C.…”

“…Radioactive isotopes have been used in most cases, mainly radioactive phosphorus 32 P and 33 P, but also radioactive calcium 45 Ca and radioactive rubidium 86 Rb (Brandtberg et al 2004;Göransson et al 2006a;Harrisson et al 1988;Nethsinghe and Broeshart 1975;Thomas et al 1998). The stable isotope 15 N has been used to investigate the vertical distribution of uptake in agroforestry and forests in the tropics Lehmann and Muraoka 2001;Rowe et al 1999;Rowe et al 2001;Soethe et al 2006) and in mixed stands of oak and Norway spruce (Göransson et al 2006a). Otherwise, 15 N has mainly been used in forests to estimate the capacity to take up 15 N applied to the soil surface (Buchmann et al 1995;Gebauer et al 2000;Genenger et al 2003;Gundersen 1998;Nadelhoffer et al 1999;Nömmik and Larsson 1989;Tietema et al 1998).…”

“…To estimate the uptake of nutrients such as potassium (K) and Ca, analogues such as lithium (Li), Rb, caesium (Cs) and strontium (Sr) can be used (Fitter 1986;Mamolos et al 1995;Memon et al 1983;Yoshida and Muramatsu 1998;Zhu and Smolders 2000). These have mainly been used in the study of smaller plants (Fitter 1986;Mamolos et al 1995), but we have previously performed a study on mature trees using Cs (Göransson et al 2006a). In order to estimate the relative contribution of nutrient uptake from a certain soil depth, the dilution of the tracer in the soil as well as the sorption of the tracer to soil particles should be taken into account (Harrisson et al 1988).…”