Abstract
Maple forests in southern Quebec are suffering in the 1980s from a serious decline thought to be associated, in part, with acid deposition effects on their nutrient status. Research was undertaken to determine if conifers were subject to similar phenomena. The nutrient status of three Norway spruce plantations in southwestern Quebec were studied through foliar and soil analyses. In all locations low N and K and marginal Mg foliar concentrations were identified. Diagnostic fertilization resulted in improved K and P and in some cases Mg and N levels. The foliage of the treated trees has an improved dark green color as compared with the controls. From this research it is evident that nutrient deficiencies of N, K and Mg, in particular, are showing up in spruce stands in the areas where air pollution and acid rain are relatively severe. Proper diagnostic fertilization helped to correct the nutrient disturbances.
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Janicki, W., Jones, A.R.C. Nutrient response to diagnostic fertilization of Norway spruce Picea aries (L.) karst plantations in Western Quebec, Canada. Water Air Soil Pollut 54, 113–118 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00298658
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00298658