Nutrient relations and root mycorrhizal status of healthy and declining beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in southern Britain

• Published in: Water, air, and soil pollution Vol. 86; no. 1/4; pp. 317 - 333
• Main Authors: Power, S.A, Ashmore, M.R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer 1996
• Subjects: acid deposition; acid soils; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; aluminum; Biological and medical sciences; calcareous soils; calcium; dry matter; eastern england; Economic plant physiology; ectomycorrhizae; Fagus sylvatica; forest decline; forest health; forest soils; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; leaves; live roots; magnesium; mycelium; nutrient content; nutrients; Physiological diseases. Varia; Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; potassium; root tips; roots; soil chemistry; soil fertility; soil pollution; south east england; Symbiosis (nodules, symbiotic nitrogen fixation, mycorrhiza...); England; United Kingdom; Great Britain; Europe; Nutrition; Root; Soil fertility; Property of soil; Plant leaf; Fagaceae; Forest decline; Inorganic element; Disease free plant; Vitality; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Mycorrhiza; Hardwood forest tree; Spermatophyta; Fagus sylvatica
• ISSN: 0049-6979; 1573-2932
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00279164

Many studies have been carried out to investigate the wide scale problem of forest decline that is affecting vast numbers of trees throughout Europe and North American. Evidence of nutritional disturbances, both above- and below-ground, has been found for a variety of species. Furthermore, it has been suggested that differences in above-ground tree health are often reflected below ground, particularly in the root systems of declining trees. An investigation of root vitality, soil and leaf chemistry of healthy and unhealthy beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) was carried out at a number of sites in southern Britain, covering a range of different soil types. At each site, healthy and unhealthy trees growing in very close proximity were compared in order to avoid large scale environmental differences that might be expected when comparing stands of trees at different locations. Healthy trees were found to have significantly greater proportions of live mycorrhizal roots than their unhealthy neighbours at most of the sites investigated. In addition, significant differences in soil chemistry were found between trees in contrasting health, with healthy trees generally growing in soil containing higher concentrations of calcium, magnesium and potassium and lower aluminum/calcium ratios. Very few differences were found in leaf nutrient content, suggesting that soil chemistry is not yet limiting nutrient uptake. The importance of root system differences in the tolerance of unfavourable edaphic and climatic conditions is discussed with respect to tree health.