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Seedling response of Nothofagus species to N and P: linking plant architecture to N/P ratio and resorption proficiency

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As in mature forests, seedlings responded positively to N supply in terms of mass and architecture, especially N. obliqua . P became a secondary-limiting nutrient for N. nervosa with increased N addition.

Abstract

Previous studies on mature forests of NW Argentinean Patagonia indicated that N is the main growth-limiting nutrient in most dominant tree species, while P limitation is uncommon, despite the soils’ volcanic origin. This pattern was inferred from leaf N/P ratios and resorption proficiencies, but has not been experimentally tested. We conducted a greenhouse trial with seedlings of two deciduous species of high timber quality, Nothofagus nervosa and N. obliqua, and soils characteristic of each species. Seedlings were fertilized with three levels of N (100, 200 and 400 mg kg−1 soil) with or without the concurrent application of a single P dose (60 mg kg−1 soil) during their second growing season. Response variables were morphological descriptors of shoot and root growth, N and P concentrations in green and senescent leaves and ectomycorrhizal infection. Both species were primarily limited by N: the addition of N resulted in higher shoot and root masses, an increased number of nodes, taller stems and greater basal and root diameters, while no effect of P was found. N/P ratios in green leaves and N and P resorption proficiencies indicate that with increased N availability P can become a secondary-limiting nutrient for N. nervosa. This was accompanied by the maintenance of ectomycorrhizal infection and mass allocation to roots in this species. The steep growth response of N. obliqua to N addition may signal a strong competitive capacity of this species when growing in soils of high N availability.

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Author contribution statement

MLA, as part of her PhD thesis, performed research, analyzed data and wrote the paper. JP, as MLA co-director of thesis, contributed with plant architecture analyses, data interpretation and wrote the paper. MJM, as MLA director of thesis, contributed with nutrient cycling expertise and wrote the paper. JG contributed with plant architecture analyses. CB contributed with mycorrhizae analyses.

Acknowledgments

This research was funded by the Agencia Nacional de Promoción de Ciencia y Tecnología (Picto Forestal 2006 N° 36862) and the Universidad Nacional del Comahue (B142/08). M. Agüero was supported by a fellowship for graduate students of ANPCyT and CONICET. We also thank Campo Forestal Gral. San Martín and INTA EEA Bariloche for providing the plant nursery and species seeds. We gratefully acknowledge G. Basil and P. Satti for technical help and comments, and P. Grogan and J.J. Ewel for comments and English correction.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. INIBIOMA (CONICET-UNCo), Quintral 1250, 8400, Bariloche, Argentina

    Mariana Laura Agüero, Javier Puntieri, María Julia Mazzarino & Javier Grosfeld

  2. CIEFAP (CONICET-UNPSJB), CC 14, 9200, Esquel, Argentina

    Carolina Barroetaveña

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  1. Mariana Laura Agüero
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  2. Javier Puntieri
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  3. María Julia Mazzarino
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  4. Javier Grosfeld
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  5. Carolina Barroetaveña
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Correspondence to Mariana Laura Agüero.

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Communicated by P. E. Courty.

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Agüero, M.L., Puntieri, J., Mazzarino, M.J. et al. Seedling response of Nothofagus species to N and P: linking plant architecture to N/P ratio and resorption proficiency. Trees 28, 1185–1195 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-014-1029-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-014-1029-7

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