Variation in tissue element concentrations in Quercus ilex L. over a range of different soils

Abstract

In order to study the variability in nutrient concentrations in four tissues of Q. ilex in relation to soil properties, we selected fifteen stands in both Q uercus ilex forests and Q. ilex-Pinus halepensis mixed forests. These stands had developed on soils derived from eight different parent materials. Three soil groups were differentiated according to their chemical properties: calcareous soils, siliceous soils, and volcanic soils. Across sites, nutrient concentrations were generally less variable in current-year tissues than in older tissues. Nitrogen and potassium showed the lowest variability among sites, their concentrations in current-year leaves ranging from 1.17°o to 1.39°i, for N and from 0.530{, to 0.68°o for K. There were few statistically significant correlations between tissue element concentrations, the most frequent being the antagonistic relationship between calcium and magnesium. Nitrogen concentration in current-year leaves was negatively correlated with soil chemical fertility (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium). This may reflect a nutritional imbalance between nitrogen and other nutrients, some of which may be more limiting than nitrogen to Q. ilex growth in Catalonia forests. Negative correlations were also found between plant magnesium and soil calcium, and positive correlations between plant calcium and soil calcium.

Nutrient status and field performance of tree seedlings planted in Mediterranean degraded areas

“…Foliar nutrient concentrations in this study fell within the range found under similar soil types and climatic conditions [11,15,20]. Nitrogen accession by P. halepensis seedlings is probably sufficient, according to the nutrient levels suggested for adult trees of this species [6], whereas P and K concentration are probably critical, and response to nutrient additions likely.…”

“…Plant nutritional status has been frequently related to soil fertility and nutrient availability [5,11,43], but these relationships are not straightforward, and may depend on life form, species, and on the nutrients involved [1,3]. For example, early successional species may be more responsive to nutrient additions than late successional species [4,12,21], and this may confer competitive advantages to pioneer species in early stages of succession [49].…”

Soil properties and understory herbaceous biomass in forests of three species of Quercus in Northeast Portugal

“…This could explain the fact that the total soil N found in this study was higher than the levels reported by Silla & Escudero (2006) and Turrión et al (2009) in Q. pyrenaica forests developed over granites. In the case of Q. rotundifolia and Q. suber, total soil N contents were between the range obtained by Canadell and Vilá (1992) for Q. ilex forests studied in Spain & Otieno et al (2011) for Q. suber forests in Southern Portugal. Furthermore, our results showed similar available P contents than those reported by Rapp et al (1999) in Q. pyrenaica forests developed over schist; and higher levels compared with those obtained by Andivia et al (2010) for Q. suber forests developed over a sandy soil with low cation exchange capacity which could have favoured cation leaching.…”

Lignotuber reserves support regrowth following clipping of two Mediterranean shrubs

“…Phosphorus is a rather immobile nutrient in the soil (Yeo & Flowers 1994) so it is expected to be readily depleted when it is suddenly required for regrowth following disturbances. This can be especially critical in soils with low P contents, like those derived from granite and granodiorite in north‐east Spain where our study was located (Canadell & Vilà 1992). Hence, we concur with Chapin et al (1990) that factors other than the carbon source possibly limit the resprout process.…”