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Temporal variation in nutrient uptake capacity by intact roots of mature loblolly pine

Plant and Soil volume 272, pages 253–262 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

Nutrient uptake is generally thought to exhibit a simple seasonal pattern, but few studies have measured temporal variation of nutrient uptake capacity in mature trees. We measured net uptake capacity of K, NH+4, NO −3 , Mg and Ca across a range of solution concentrations by roots of mature loblolly pine at Calhoun Experimental Forest in October 2001, July 2001, and April 2002. Uptake capacity was generally lowest in July; rates in October were similar to those in April. Across a range of concentrations, antecedent nutrient solution concentrations affected the temporal patterns in uptake in July but not in October or April. In July, uptake of NH+4, Mg and Ca was positively correlated with concentration when roots were exposed to successively lower concentrations, but negatively correlated with concentration when exposed to successively higher concentrations. In contrast, uptake in October was constant across the range of concentrations, while uptake increased with concentration in April. As in studies of other species, we found greater uptake of NH+4 than NO −3 . Temporal patterns of uptake capacity are difficult to predict, and our results indicate that experimental conditions, such as experiment duration, antecedent root conditions and nutrient solution concentration, affect measured rates of nutrient uptake.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forest and Natural Resources, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY, 3210, USA

    Melissa S. Lucash & Ruth Yanai

  2. Santa Elena de Monteverde, Belowground Forest Research, Apartado 104-5655, Puntarenas, Costa Rica

    J. Devereux. Joslin

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  1. Melissa S. Lucash
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  2. J. Devereux. Joslin
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  3. Ruth Yanai
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Correspondence to Ruth Yanai.

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Lucash, M.S., Joslin, J.D. & Yanai, R. Temporal variation in nutrient uptake capacity by intact roots of mature loblolly pine. Plant Soil 272, 253–262 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-004-5296-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-004-5296-8

Keywords

  • ammonium
  • calcium
  • loblolly pine
  • magnesium
  • nitrate
  • nitrogen
  • nutrient uptake
  • nutrient uptake capacity
  • potassium
  • seasonality