Calcium addition at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest increases sugar storage, antioxidant activity and cold tolerance in native red spruce (Picea rubens)

Abstract

In fall (November 2005) and winter (February 2006), we collected current-year foliage of native red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) growing in a reference watershed and in a watershed treated in 1999 with wollastonite (CaSiO(3), a slow-release calcium source) to simulate preindustrial soil calcium concentrations (Ca-addition watershed) at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (Thornton, NH). We analyzed nutrition, soluble sugar concentrations, ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity and cold tolerance, to evaluate the basis of recent (2003) differences between watersheds in red spruce foliar winter injury. Foliar Ca and total sugar concentrations were significantly higher in trees in the Ca-addition watershed than in trees in the reference watershed during both fall (P=0.037 and 0.035, respectively) and winter (P=0.055 and 0.036, respectively). The Ca-addition treatment significantly increased foliar fructose and glucose concentrations in November (P=0.013 and 0.007, respectively) and foliar sucrose concentrations in winter (P=0.040). Foliar APX activity was similar in trees in both watersheds during fall (P=0.28), but higher in trees in the Ca-addition watershed during winter (P=0.063). Cold tolerance of foliage was significantly greater in trees in the Ca-addition watershed than in trees in the reference watershed (P<0.001). Our results suggest that low foliar sugar concentrations and APX activity, and reduced cold tolerance in trees in the reference watershed contributed to their high vulnerability to winter injury in 2003. Because the reference watershed reflects forest conditions in the region, the consequences of impaired physiological function caused by soil Ca depletion may have widespread implications for forest health.

Effects of Simulated Acid Rain on Growth and Yield of Cassava Manihot esculenta (Crantz)

“…All the plant growth parameters studied the plant height, leaf area, fresh weight and dry weight were decreased significantly at all acidity levels with respect to the control set and highest reduction were observed at pH 2.0 level ( Table 2). The adverse effects of simulated acid rain on plant growth parameters on several crops were observed by (Halman et al, 2008;Evans et al, 1997;Banwart et al, 1990).…”

Decreased water flowing from a forest amended with calcium silicate

“…Persistent ET deviation throughout the fall and winter suggests a significant response of coniferous species to Ca fertilization. The health and foliar function of red spruce, the dominant conifer on W1, was notably improved by Ca addition there (29,33,34), and this species is known to photosynthesize and transpire on a year-round basis given favorable environmental conditions (40). Deficiencies of Ca impair guard cell physiology in red spruce (41), thus the Ca from wollastonite likely improved stomatal function and enhanced winter transpiration.…”

Calcium addition at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest increases the capacity for stress tolerance and carbon capture in red spruce (Picea rubens) trees during the cold season

“…However, the success and survival of red spruce in cold, high elevation forests have been threatened in recent decades as increased foliar freezing injury during winter has reduced crown health and tree growth, and spurred widespread tree mortality (DeHayes 1992;Johnson 1992). Considerable additional research has shown that acidic deposition contributes to environmental calcium (Ca) depletion that limits biological Ca concentrations in red spruce foliage, reduces foliar cold tolerance, and predisposes red spruce trees to winter injury and decline (DeHayes et al 1999;Schaberg et al 2000b;Hawley et al 2006;Halman et al 2008).…”

“…Furthermore, recent work has shown that the controlled partitioning and flow of Ca is an important component of basic biochemical systems that regulate plant growth and energy relations (e.g., Hepler 2005;Lautner and Fromm 2010). Thus, as Ca becomes environmentally depleted, resulting plant Ca limitations would most likely manifest themselves as disruptions in stress response to freezing, high aluminum (Al), manganese (Mn) and nitrogen (N) toxicity (Minocha et al 1996(Minocha et al , 1997(Minocha et al , 2000Wargo et al 2002;Bauer et al 2004;Halman et al 2008), and altered energy relations (e.g., carbon storage and growth; Huggett et al 2007;Halman et al 2008).…”