Organic layers favor phosphorus storage and uptake by young beech trees (Fagus sylvatica L.) at nutrient poor ecosystems

Aims The accumulation of organic layers in forests is linked to decreasing nutrient availability. Organic layers might represent a source of phosphorus (P) nutrition of trees in forests. Our aims were i) to test if the fate of P in a tree sapling-soil system differs between nutrient-poor and nutrien...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Plant and soil 2018-11, Vol.432 (1/2), p.289-301
Main Authors: Hauenstein, Simon, Neidhardt, Harald, Lang, Friederike, Krüger, Jaane, Hofmann, Diana, Pütz, Thomas, Oelmann, Yvonne
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Beech
Beeches
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Diodes
Ecology
Fagus sylvatica
Forest ecosystems
Forest management
Health aspects
Life Sciences
Mesocosms
Microorganisms
Mineralization
Nutrient availability
Nutrient uptake
Nutrients
Nutrition
Nutritional aspects
Observations
Organic matter
Organic phosphorus
Phosphorus
Plant Physiology
Plant Sciences
Plant-soil relationships
Regular Article
Soil phosphorus
Soil Science & Conservation
Soils
Sustainable forestry
Temperate forests
Terrestrial ecosystems
Trees
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Summary:Aims The accumulation of organic layers in forests is linked to decreasing nutrient availability. Organic layers might represent a source of phosphorus (P) nutrition of trees in forests. Our aims were i) to test if the fate of P in a tree sapling-soil system differs between nutrient-poor and nutrient-rich sites, and ii) to assess the influence of organic layers on the fate of P in a tree sapling-soil system at either site. Methods We conducted a 33P labeling experiment of mesocosms of beech (Fagus sylvatica) saplings. Results Recovery of 33P in the organic layer was greater under nutrient-poor than under nutrient-rich conditions likely caused by the abundance of microorganisms and roots. Under nutrient-poor conditions, we found that the mobilization of P followed by efficient uptake promoted tree sapling growth if the organic layer was present. The presence of organic layers did not significantly influence P uptake by beech saplings under nutrient-rich conditions suggesting mechanisms of P mobilization in addition to organic matter mineralization. Conclusions Our results highlight the importance of organic layers for P nutrition of young beech trees growing on nutrient-poor soils in temperate forest ecosystems. The role of organic layers should be considered for sustainable forest management.
ISSN:0032-079X
1573-5036
DOI:10.1007/s11104-018-3804-5