Iranian Journal of Forest

Iranian Journal of Forest

Three-year results of monitoring the leaf nutrients of Persian oak trees (Quercus brantii Lindl.) in declining forests

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
A Hosseini 1
M Matinizadeh 2
R Soleimani 3
Sh Asgari 4
1 Associate Prof., Research Division of Natural Resources, Ilam Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Ilam, Iran.
2 Associate Prof., Research Division of Forest, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, AREEO, Tehran, Iran.
3 Assist., Prof., Research Division of Agriculture, Ilam Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Ilam, Iran.
4 Assist., Prof., Research Division of Natural Resources, Ilam Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Ilam, Iran.
10.22034/ijf.2023.376819.1910
Abstract
Introduction and Objective: Monitoring the nutrients of tree leaves is crucial for understanding their physiological responses to environmental stresses. This study monitored the status of leaf nutrients in Persian oak trees (Quercus brantii Lindl.) affected by crown dieback during the years 2019-2021.
Materials and Methods: Two sites, one northern and one southern, were selected in the Mele-Siah area. Five healthy trees and five declining trees were identified at each site. From each tree, 20 mature and healthy leaves were collected and taken to the laboratory to measure the concentration of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium elements. Leaf sampling was conducted annually in August over three years. Soil sampling was also conducted during the growing season over three years, with a hole dug on the southern side of each tree crown to measure soil moisture in two horizons.
Results: The results showed that the amount of leaf nitrogen was highest (1.48%) in 2019 and lowest (1%) in 2020, and it was higher in healthy trees (1.30%) than in declining trees (1.22%). The amount of phosphorus was higher in the northern site in all years. The amount of potassium was highest (2.22%) in 2019 and lowest (0.58%) in 2020. The amounts of leaf calcium and magnesium were highest (1.8% and 2.36% respectively) in 2019 and lowest (0.57% and 0.69% respectively) in 2021. Furthermore, the amount of calcium was higher in the northern site (1.29%) than in the southern site (0.99%). The highest amount of calcium was found in declining trees (1.465%) in the northern site and in healthy trees (1.241%) in the southern site. The results also showed that soil moisture was higher in the northern site in all sampling years and was associated with annual changes, which affected the changes in leaf nutrients over different years.
Conclusion: Considering the differences in soil moisture, soil acidity, and salinity of the studied sites, as well as temporal changes in the concentration of leaf elements caused by climate changes, it can be concluded that the crown dieback of Persian oak trees is related to the physiological mechanisms involved in water and nutrient absorption.
Keywords
element analysis
oak forests
soil moisture
tree decline
Zagros

Subjects

 
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  • Receive Date 10 January 2023
  • Revise Date 12 April 2022
  • Accept Date 07 June 2023