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

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Abstract

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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geoecology, Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Rümelinstr. 19-23, 72070, Tübingen, Germany

    Simon Hauenstein, Harald Neidhardt & Yvonne Oelmann

  2. Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, Soil Ecology, University of Freiburg, Bertoldstr. 17, 79098, Freiburg i.Br., Germany

    Friederike Lang & Jaane Krüger

  3. Forschungszentrum Jülich, Institute for Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-3: Agrosphere, 52428, Jülich, Germany

    Diana Hofmann & Thomas Pütz

Authors
  1. Simon Hauenstein
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  2. Harald Neidhardt
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  3. Friederike Lang
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  4. Jaane Krüger
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  5. Diana Hofmann
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  6. Thomas Pütz
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  7. Yvonne Oelmann
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Correspondence to Yvonne Oelmann.

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Responsible Editor: N. Jim Barrow.

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Hauenstein, S., Neidhardt, H., Lang, F. et al. Organic layers favor phosphorus storage and uptake by young beech trees (Fagus sylvatica L.) at nutrient poor ecosystems. Plant Soil 432, 289–301 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-018-3804-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-018-3804-5

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