Nutritional Status and Deficiency Diagnosis of Pinus radiata Plantations in Spain

Publisher： Society of American Foresters

ISSN： 0015-749X

Source： Forest Science, Vol.42, Iss.2, 1996-05, pp. : 192-197

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Abstract

Twenty-one plots of Pinus radiata D. Don were selected for nutritional diagnosis on the basis of parent material (nine different substrates) and climate (Atlantic and Mediterranean). After foliar analysis, nutritional diagnoses were conducted, using the critical level method and the DRIS system. The nutrient content in fresh litter (L horizon) was also measured, and nutrient levels of green pine needles were compared with leaves of three native hardwood species (Quercus ilex L., q. robur L. and Fagus sylvatica L.) growing near each pine plot. In most cases, deciduous trees showed higher nutritional levels than evergreen trees. Foliar levels of Ca were always higher in hardwood trees, irrespective of leaf longevity. Phosphorus (P) deficiency was the most common among pines (eight plots showed severe P deficiency). Nitrogen and magnesium deficiencies were also detected in a few cases. The DRIS system diagnosed a larger number of deficiencies than the critical level method, but after intercalibration both methods gave the same diagnosis. In the plots studied, litter analysis appeared to be an alternative to foliar analysis for P, S, Ca, and Mg diagnosis but not for N or K. For. Sci. 42(2):192-197.