Changes of macro and micro elements concentration in shoots and soil of Quercus castaneifolia seedling grown in flooding conditions

The aim of this study was to investigate the variation in concentration of macro- and micro- nutrients in soil and shoots of Quercus castaneifolia seedlings growing in flooded and non-flooded conditions. For this purpose, one-year old seedlings of this species were subjected for 120 days to three different conditions: (i) well-drained control (ii) permanent flooding and (iii) periodic flooding in an experiment as a completely randomized design. The results showed that flooding reduced the ratio of Organic carbon, Total Nitrogen and available Potassium in the soil. Potassium concentration in permanent flooding was reduced to 49% in comparison to control treatment. Also, in the permanent flooding, availability of Fe and Mn increased to 42% and 51% with respect to controls, respectively. Under flooding conditions, nutrient accumulation decreased in leaves of stressed seedlings. In addition, the reduction in N, Ca and Mg in permanently flooded seedlings was greater than those in seedlings growing under periodic flooding. The Zn concentration in leaves diminished as a result of the permanent flooding. In both flooding regimes, Mn concentration in leaves with respect to controls increased 2.5 times, whereas Fe concentration increased 2.5 and 3.5 times, respectively. There was found a positive significant correlation between most of nutrient concentrations of soil and leaf. In conclusion, macro-nutrients in soil and shoot of seedlings under flooding stress were reduced whereas micro-nutrients increased. Taking into account that some macro-nutrient concentrations in soil and leaf of seedlings grown in periodic flooding were greater than those in permanent flooding, it is concluded that for growth of Q. castaneifolia seedlings, periodic flooding is more favorable environment than permanent flooding.