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Soluble N compound profiles and concentrations in European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) are influenced by local climate and thinning

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Abstract

We assessed seasonal changes of total soluble nonprotein nitrogen compounds (TSNN) in adult European beech trees (Fagus sylvatica, L.) growing under different local climate during the growing season immediately following a thinning treatment and 3 years later. In both years, samples of leaves, xylem sap and phloem exudates from beech trees growing in thinned and unthinned (control) stands on a dry, warm SW exposed and a cooler, moist NE exposed site were collected in May, July and September. In May of both years, asparagine (Asn) and glutamine (Gln) were most abundant in leaves and xylem, respectively, whereas arginine (Arg) dominated in the phloem. In July, TSNN concentrations decreased in all tissues and sites, but differences in water availability between aspects were reflected in TSNN concentrations. In September, differences in the increase of Arg concentration in the phloem were related to differences in the onset of senescence between treatments. Thinning treatment increased amino compound concentrations of beech tissues in July on both aspects, particularly at the NE thinned site. It is supposed that, the N balance of adult beech is favoured by both, the thinning treatments as well as the cool-moist climate prevailing at the NE aspect.

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Acknowledgements

This reasearch was part of a project funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft under contract numbers SFB 433 and Re515/13-1. The data for the frequency distribution of BDH were provided by J. Huss (Institute of Silviculture; University of Freiburg) and H. Spiecker (Institute of Forest Growth, University of Freiburg).

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  1. Arthur Geßler

    Present address: School of Forest and Ecosystem Science, University of Melbourne, Water Street, 3363, Creswick, VIC, Australia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chair of Tree Physiology, Institute of Forest Botany and Tree Physiology, Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee, Gebäude 053/054, 79110, Freiburg, Germany

    Michael Nahm, Heinz Rennenberg & Arthur Geßler

  2. Meteorological Institute, Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg, Werderring 10, 79085, Freiburg, Germany

    Thomas Holst, Andreas Matzarakis & Helmut Mayer

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  1. Michael Nahm
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Correspondence to Arthur Geßler.

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Communicated by Franz Makeschin

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Nahm, M., Holst, T., Matzarakis, A. et al. Soluble N compound profiles and concentrations in European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) are influenced by local climate and thinning. Eur J Forest Res 125, 1–14 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-005-0103-5

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