Effects of elevated CO₂, O₃ and K deficiency on Norway spruce (Picea abies): nutrient supply, content and leaching

Abstract

SUMMARYTwo clones of 5-yr-old Norway spruce {Picea abies [L.] Karst.) were exposed to two atmospheric concentrations of CO2 (350 and 750/^.mol mol"^) and of O3 (20 and 75 nmol mol"^) in a phytotron at the GSFForschungszentrum (Munich) over the course of a single season (April-October). The phytotron was programmed to recreate an artificial climate similar to that at a high elevation site in the Inner Bavarian forest, and trees were grown in 40 1 containers of soil (pH 3-5) fertilized to achieve two levels of potassium nutrition; well fertilized and K-deficient. Foliar nutrient analyses performed at the beginning of the exposure indicated that the fertilization programmes achieved their goal without significantly altering the levels of other nutrients or the soil pH. At the beginning of the funiigation, foliar K concentrations were 7-9 mg g"^ d. wt for well fertilized trees and 4-5 mg g'^ d. wt for trees receiving no supplemental K. Over the course of the season, differences between K treatments intensified so that by the end of the experiment there was a five to sixfold difference between foliar K concentrations. This was associated with slight, but significant {P < 0-05), decreases in S and Zn (and of Cu in the 1989 needle year age class) and higher levels of C, N and Mg in K-deficient trees. Foliar N concentrations were low for all trees (9-15 mg g"^ needle d. wt) but were similar to levels found in the field.Elevated Og was found to decrease significantly the C (P < 0-05) and N (P < 0-001) content of both current-year (1989) and previous-year (1988) needles independent of CO.j concentration, but apart from some minor changes in the concentrations of Cu and Mn in the current-year needles no other effects of the pollutant on plant nutrient status were found. In contrast, CO, enrichment resulted in significantly (P < 0-01) lower concentrations of K and P (effects on Mg were also on the borderlines of statistical significance) in current-year needles, but there was no influence on the nutrient composition of the previous-year needles (although effects on N were on the borderlines of statistical significance). CO.^ enrichment also increased (P < 0-05) the C:N ratio of both current-year and previous-year needles. One factor contributing to the decline in foliar K at elevated COg appeared to be a marked increase (25-30%) in the rate at which cations were leached from the canopy by repeated simulated acid mist (pH 4-0) events, and this effect occurred independently of the Og concentration. The information presented will aid the interpretation of parallel studies examining the effects of elevated CO2 and/or O3 on seasonal changes in photosynthesis, non-structural carbohydrate content, antioxidants, tree growth and water use efficiency, and sheds further light on the growing scepticism concerning the role of O3 in the development of Mg and K-deficiency symptoms characteristic of certain types of forest decline in central Europe.

Impact of four years exposure to different levels of ozone, phosphorus and drought on chlorophyll, mineral nutrients, and stem volume of Norway spruce, Picea abies

“…This is in agreement with most results obtained in other studies of conifers: loblolly pine, Pinus taeda, by Edwards et al (1992); Norway spruce by Ogner (1993), Pfirrman et al (1990, Schätzle et al (1990) and Skärby et al (1995); Silver fir, Abies alba, by Schätzle et al (1990); Red spruce, Picea rubens, by Thornton et al (1992). However, there are also studies that have found changes in the needle nutrient concentrations, for example both Rantanen et al (1994) and Pfirrmann et al (1996) found a decrease of the N concentration in needles of Norway spruce trees after ozone exposure.…”

“…However, there are also studies that have found changes in the needle nutrient concentrations, for example both Rantanen et al. (1994) and Pfirrmann et al. (1996) found a decrease of the N concentration in needles of Norway spruce trees after ozone exposure.…”

Effects on nutrients and on grain quality in spring wheat crops grown under elevated CO2 concentrations and stress conditions in the European, multiple-site experiment ‘ESPACE-wheat’

“…Information on the effects of CO 2 enrichment different levels of CO 2 , O 3 , nitrogen nutrition and drought. Pfirrmann et al (1996) also used Norway on nutrients other than N or P in herbaceous species is scarce. Reduced concentrations of spruce saplings to investigate the effects of CO 2 enrichment, O 3 and K deficiency on element con-macro-and micronutrients have been reported after exposure to CO 2 enrichment by some authors centrations in fine roots, current year needles and previous-year needles.…”

Effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 and tropospheric O3 on nutrient dynamics: decomposition of leaf litter in trembling aspen and paper birch communities

“…The objective of this study was to investigate the independent and combined effects of elevated CO 2 and Pfirrmann et al (1996) b Penuelas et al (2001) c Penuelas et al (1997) d Huluka et al (1994) e Heagle et al (1993) elevated O 3 on mineral nutrient cycling in aggrading aspen and birch-aspen stands of the Aspen FACE project in Rhinelander, WI. Elevated CO 2 increased total biomass production by 43% and elevated O 3 decreased it by 17% in this long-term experiment (King et al 2005b).…”