Abstract
A growth chamber experiment was conducted to determine if P fertilization to enhance the P nutrition of otherwise N and P deficient Douglas fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] seedlings reduces water stress in the seedlings during drought periods. Seedlings were grown in pasteurized mineral soil under well-watered conditions and fertilized periodically with a small amount of nutrient solution containing P at either of three levels: 0, 20, or 50 mg P L-1. By age 6 mo, leaf nutrient analysis indicated that N and P were deficient in control (0 mg P L-1) seedlings. The highest level of P fertilization, which doubled leaf P concentration, did not affect plant biomass, suggesting that N deficiency was limiting growth. When these seedlings were subjected to drought, there was no effect of P fertilization on leaf water potential or osmotic potential. Furthermore, P fertilized seedlings had lower stomatal conductance and net photosynthesis rate. These results indicate that enhanced P nutrition, in the presence of N deficiency, does not reduce water stress in Douglas fir seedlings during drought periods.
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Dosskey, M.G., Boersma, L. & Linderman, R.G. Effect of phosphorus fertilization on water stress in Douglas fir seedlings during soil drying. Plant Soil 150, 33–39 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00779173
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00779173