Growth and foliar nutrient status of sugar maple: incidence of forest decline and reaction to fertilization

1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 699-706 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Ouimet ◽  
J.-M. Fortin
Keyword(s):  
Radial Growth ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Forest Decline ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Foliar Nutrition ◽  
Poor Growth ◽  
Foliar Nutrient ◽  
K Concentration ◽  
The Impact

Typical decline symptoms have become common observations in the deciduous forest of southern Quebec. In 1988, sugar maple (Acersaccharum Marsh.) trees exhibiting various degrees of foliage loss were studied in 21 mature stands scattered throughout the province of Quebec in order to determine the impact of forest decline on the stands' growth and nutritional status. Results showed the following: (i) large variations in foliar concentrations existed between sites and sampling year, (ii) damaged trees were K deficient, (iii) stem radial growth over 5 years (1983–1988) and the 1987–1988 foliar K concentration decreased in a linear fashion as visual estimation of crown foliage loss increased, (iv) radial growth reduction averaged 27 and 54% for trees having a percentage of foliage loss of 6–25 and 25–50%, respectively. We tested the following hypothesis: improvement of foliar status by diagnostic fertilization in declining trees that have a deficiency in K leads to enhanced tree vigor that can be measured as increased stem growth. Beneficial fertilization effects occurred very rapidly, beginning in the year of treatment. Fertilization caused a 50% increase in stem radial growth compared with unfertilized trees in the 2 years following treatment application. This response was accompanied by increased foliar N, K, and Ca levels, and decreased P concentration, compared with control trees. The results suggest that poor growth and vigor of sugar maple on these sites are related to impaired foliar nutrition in K, and that a rapid revival of declining sugar maple characterized by a K deficiency can be produced in the short term by proper fertilization.

Foliar nutrient status in relation to sugar maple dieback and decline in the Quebec Appalachians

1988 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 754-761 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Bernier ◽  
M. Brazeau
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
P Deficiency ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Foliar Nutrient ◽  
K Deficiency ◽  
Foliar Concentrations ◽  
Foliage Density ◽  
Geological Formations

Forty-five mature sugar maple (Acersaccharum Marsh.) stands growing on soils associated with a wide range of geological formations in the Quebec Appalachians were sampled in both early to mid-July and mid- to late August 1985. The average level of forest decline, as indicated by foliage density, was 15%, ranging from 1 to 69%. The foliar concentrations of N, P, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Zn, and B in July were generally adequate while K concentrations were <0.55% in nine sites (20% of the sites). Mean K concentrations in July and August were 0.68% and 0.62%, respectively, with only one value in excess of 0.90% in July, which is below most K concentrations reported in the literature for sugar maple. Results are presented for two distinct regions within the study area. Most stands with foliar K levels less than 0.55% in July exhibited high levels of decline (15–69%) while the majority of stands with K in excess of this concentration showed low levels of decline. These data suggest that K deficiency (sometimes accompanied by an acute P deficiency) influences the integrity of forest ecosystems and may play a significant role in the decline of the deciduous forest in the Quebec Appalachians.

Vegetation Effects on Soil Properties in the Monteagle Sandy Loam Series: Implications for Land‐use Change

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Neil
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Land Use Change ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Carbon ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Coniferous Forest ◽  
The Impact

Soil properties are strongly influenced by the composition of the surrounding vegetation. We investigated soil properties of three ecosystems; a coniferous forest, a deciduous forest and an agricultural grassland, to determine the impact of land use change on soil properties. Disturbances such as deforestation followed by cultivation can severely alter soil properties, including losses of soil carbon. We collected nine 40 cm cores from three ecosystem types on the Roebuck Farm, north of Perth Village, Ontario, Canada. Dominant species in each ecosystem included hemlock and white pine in the coniferous forest; sugar maple, birch and beech in the deciduous forest; grasses, legumes and herbs in the grassland. Soil pH varied little between the three ecosystems and over depth. Soils under grassland vegetation had the highest bulk density, especially near the surface. The forest sites showed higher cation exchange capacity and soil moisture than the grassland; these differences largely resulted from higher organic matter levels in the surface forest soils. Vertical distribution of organic matter varied greatly amongst the three ecosystems. In the forest, more of the organic matter was located near the surface, while in the grassland organic matter concentrations varied little with depth. The results suggest that changes in land cover and land use alters litter inputs and nutrient cycling rates, modifying soil physical and chemical properties. Our results further suggest that conversion of forest into agricultural land in this area can lead to a decline in soil carbon storage.

Foliar deficiencies of sugar maple stands associated with soil cation imbalances in the Quebec Appalachians

1995 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rock Ouimet ◽  
Claude Camiré
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Nutrient Stress ◽  
Exchangeable Cations ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
Ca Deficiency ◽  
Exchangeable Ca ◽  
Foliar Nutrient

Widespread symptoms of foliar deficiency of P and K have been observed for almost a decade in most of the declining hardwood forest in the Quebec Appalachians. We hypothesized that the foliar nutrient disturbances were related to the chemical equilibrium of exchangeable soil cations. Mature sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) foliage, and soil H-Ah and B horizon from 246 hardwood stands located in the Quebec Appalachians were sampled and analyzed. A cluster analysis using the Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) indices of the foliar data permitted the identification of six different nutritional groups: one slightly and one strongly deficient group in P-K, three groups having a K-Ca deficiency at different intensities from weak to strong, and one group having a strong P-K-Ca deficiency. These foliar nutrient status were strongly related to some soil properties. The P-K deficient groups had a 30% lower K saturation in the H-Ah horizon than the average level of the other groups, but a higher proportion of exchangeable Ca in the H-Ah and B horizon. For the four groups that were K-Ca deficient, increased nutrient stress was associated with reductions in soil Ca saturation and pH, and, particularly, increases in soil Mg saturation. Also, the Ca/(H+Al) ratio of exchangeable cations in the B horizon was ≤ 0.6 for these groups. High soil Mg saturation, potential soil Al toxicity related to low Ca saturation, and unfavorable soil humus properties were associated with the severity of nutrient stress. To obtain a balanced nutrition for sugar maple in this region, the forest humus should have less than 10% of Mg on exchange sites, a Ca/Mg ratio of exchangeable cations > 6, and a K/Mg ratio > 0.5. The values in the mineral B horizon should be < 10% for Mg/CEC, > 4 for the Ca/Mg ratio, > 1 for the K/Mg ratio, and > 1 for the Ca/(H+Al) ratio. Key words:Acer saccharum, cation saturation, Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System, forest decline, nutrient status, soil properties

Maple Decline in Quebec: A Discussion of Possible Causes and the Use of Fertilizers to Limit Damage

1989 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 280-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. C. Jones ◽  
W. H. Hendershot
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Forest Decline ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
West Germany ◽  
Anthropogenic Sources ◽  
Sudden Increase ◽  
Forest Fertilization ◽  
Soil Nutrient Status

A sudden increase in dieback of sugar maple has been measured in Quebec since 1982, threatening a $40-million industry and the livelihood of more than 10 000 syrup producers. Annual surveys show increasing defoliation, dieback, and mortality of sugar maple as well as damage to other species, including conifers. The heaviest mortality corresponds with locations where severe insect attacks, seasonal climatic extremes, low soil nutrient status and marginal sites for maple and the highest fallouts of wet acid sulfate and nitrate occur. In some areas of West Germany the link between air pollution and forest decline has been established to the satisfaction of most scientists and a program of forest fertilization to counteract the effects of pollution is now underday. Fertilization is an effective means of increasing the health and vigour of maples aiding them in overcoming stresses from natural and anthropogenic sources.

Short- and long-term nutritional effects and retention of potassium derived from fertilizer in a sugar maple stand in southern Quebec

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 487-495
Author(s):  
Chloé McMillan ◽  
Benoît Côté ◽  
William H. Hendershot
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Base Cation ◽  
Maple Leaves ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Understory Plant ◽  
K Concentration ◽  
K Fertilization

The short-term (1–3 years) and long-term (23 years) effects of liming combined with potassium (K) fertilization on forest nutrition and K cycling were examined in a sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) stand in southern Quebec. Sugar maple leaves were sampled annually from 1988 (prefertilization year) to 1991 and in 2011–2012. Ten understory plant species, sugar maple sapwood, and soils were also sampled in 2012 and analyzed for K, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and rubidium (Rb). The recovery of fertilizer K was determined using the Rb/K reverse tracer method. Fertilization neither increased growth nor maintained higher sugar maple leaf K levels over the long term; however, leaf K to Ca and K to Mg ratios were still higher in fertilized plots than in control plots in 2012. The percentage of leaf K derived from fertilizer peaked 3 years after fertilization (36% ± 5%) and was down to 1989 levels by 2012 (15% ± 6%). Understory vegetation generally showed no differences in leaf K concentration between treatments, but percent K from fertilizers was greater than 25% in several species. There was no significant effect of fertilization on soil K, Ca, and Mg availability by 2012. Our results suggest that significant amounts of fertilizer K are still present on the site after 23 years but that base cation levels in leaves and upper soil horizons have returned to near prefertilization levels except for a slight enrichment in K. Although small, the effects of fertilization with liming on soil fertility and plant nutrient status in a maple stand can be long lasting.

A comparison of soil fertility and leaf nutrient status of sugar maples (Acer saccharum) in relation to microrelief in two maple forests in Québec

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Roy ◽  
A. Sauvesty ◽  
F. Pagé ◽  
R. van Hulst ◽  
C. Ansseau
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activity ◽  
Soil Type ◽  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Physiological Adaptation ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Nutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Foliar Nutrient

This study was conducted to provide a better understanding of the relationship between foliar nutrient status, maple dieback and soil quality. Fieldwork was conducted in four maple stands, two of which were located in the Appalachians at Tingwick and two in the Laurentians at Duchesnay. All stands were characterised by a mound and depression microrelief. In one of the Tingwick maple stands (T1) the predominant soil type was found on mounds, and was well to moderately well-drained (Leeds and Woodbridge series). At the other site (T2), the predominant soil type was in depressions, and imperfectly to poorly drained (Sainte-Marie and Brompton series). At the first Duchesnay site (D1) the predominant soil type was found on mounds and was well to rapidly drained (Ste Agathe series). At the second Duchesnay site (D2), the predominant soil type was also found on mounds, but was well to moderately well-drained (Sergent series). On all sites, the soils were acidic and nutrient poor. The lowest pH values and nutrient concentrations (in the H-Ah horizons) were found in maple stands with well-drained soils (T1 and D1) (P < 0.05). On these sites, maple dieback was less than 10%. It was on the poorly to imperfectly drained soils at Tingwick (T2), as well as on the moderately drained soils at Duchesnay (D2), that we observed the lowest biological activity. Although these soils were the most nutrient rich, we observed foliar nutrient deficiencies, and maple dieback in excess of 25%. Our results suggest that maple dieback is the result of a poor physiological adaptation of sugar maple to poor drainage conditions in the areas studied. Key Words: Dieback, Acer saccharum, forest soils, biological activity index

Effects of Thinning and Fertilization on Foliar Nutrient Concentrations of Sugar Maple

1975 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 410-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Stone ◽  
D. R. Christenson
Keyword(s):  
Radial Growth ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Foliar Nutrients ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Foliar N ◽  
Foliar Nutrient ◽  
Foliar Concentrations ◽  
Foliar Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Dilution Effects

Effects of thinning and fertilization on growth and foliar nutrients were studied in pole-size sugar maple (Acersaccharum Marsh.). Thinning plus fertilization resulted in significantly lower concentrations of foliar N, P, K, Mg, Cu, Zn, B, and Al in the first growing season, and of Mg, Cu, Zn, and Al in the 2nd year. Foliar nutrients in released, but nonfertilized, trees exhibited similar trends. The decreased foliar nutrient concentrations are attributed to dilution effects as a result of increased growth.Fertilization with N, P, and K significantly increased foliar concentrations of those nutrients but did not stimulate radial growth. Thinning resulted in highly significant increase in diameter growth both years.

scholarly journals Impacts of a High Nitrogen Load on Foliar Nutrient Status, N Metabolism, and Photosynthetic Capacity in a Cupressus lusitanica Mill. Plantation

Forests ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruirui Li ◽  
Yi Lu ◽  
Fuxu Wan ◽  
Yiming Wang ◽  
Xiaocheng Pan
Keyword(s):  
Photosynthetic Capacity ◽  
Net Photosynthesis ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
N Deposition ◽  
Cupressus Lusitanica ◽  
N Supply ◽  
Net Photosynthesis Rate ◽  
Foliar Nutrient ◽  
K Concentration ◽  
Mn Concentration

At present, anthropogenic nitrogen deposition has dramatically increased worldwide and has shown negative impacts on temperate/boreal forest ecosystems. However, it remains unclear how an elevated N load affects plant growth in the relatively N-rich subtropical forests of Southern China. To address this question, a study was conducted in a six-year-old Cupressus lusitanica Mill. plantation at the Scientific Research and Teaching Base of Nanjing Forestry University, with N addition levels of N0 (0 kg ha−1 year−1), N1 (24 kg ha−1 year−1), N2 (48 kg ha−1 year−1), N3 (72 kg ha−1 year−1), N4 (96 kg ha−1 year−1), and N5 (120 kg ha−1 year−1). Leaf physiological traits associated with foliar nutrient status, photosynthetic capacity, pigment, and N metabolites were measured. The results showed that (1) N addition led to significant effects on foliar N, but had no marked effects on K concentration. Furthermore, remarkable increases of leaf physiological traits including foliar P, Ca, Mg, and Mn concentration; photosynthetic capacity; pigment; and N metabolites were always observed under low and middle-N supply. (2) High N supply notably decreased foliar P, Ca, and Mg concentration, but increased foliar Mn content. Regarding the chlorophyll, photosynthetic capacity, and N metabolites, marked declines were also observed under high N inputs. (3) Redundancy analysis showed that the net photosynthesis rate was positively correlated with foliar N, P, Ca, Mg, and Mn concentration; the Mn/Mg ratio; and concentrations of chlorophyll and N metabolites, while the net photosynthesis rate was negatively correlated with foliar K concentration and N/P ratios. These findings suggest that excess N inputs can promote nutrient imbalances and inhibit the photosynthetic capacity of Cupressus lusitanica Mill., indicating that high N deposition could threaten plant growth in tropical forests in the future. Meanwhile, further study is merited to track the effects of high N deposition on the relationship between foliar Mn accumulation and photosynthesis in Cupressus lusitanica Mill.

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