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Foliar nutrients in Eucalyptus species in New Zealand

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Abstract

Foliar nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) concentrations of 5 Symphyomyrtus (E. botryoides, E. cladocalyx, E. microcorys, E. nitens, E. saligna) and 7 Monocalyptus (E. agglomerata, E. baxteri, E. globoidea, E. muelleriana, E. obliqua, E. pilularis, E. regnans) species were determined for each of four hill country microsites; upper shady, lower shady, upper sunny and lower sunny slopes. ANOVA and correlation analysis were used to identify species and microsite effects, and nutrient associations. Significant (P ≤ 0.0014) species differences were identified for all nutrients, E. botryoides and E. saligna generally had high nutrient concentrations while stringybark species were low, particularly for N and K. Subgeneric contrasts revealed that Symphyomyrtus species had significantly higher concentrations of P (P = 0.05) N, K and Ca (P < 0.0001) but lower Mg (P < 0.0001) than Monocalyptus. Microsite had less influence on nutrient concentrations than species. N was strongly positively correlated with P and K in most Symphyomyrtus species but was not correlated with P in Monocalyptus. Mg was positively correlated with Ca but negatively correlated with K in most species. The results indicate that Monocalyptus and Symphyomyrtus species differ in ability to accumulate key macronutrients.

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Acknowledgments

Financial assistance was provided by the Massey University Agricultural Research Fund.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand

    J. P. Millner & P. D. Kemp

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  1. J. P. Millner
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  2. P. D. Kemp
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Correspondence to J. P. Millner.

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Millner, J.P., Kemp, P.D. Foliar nutrients in Eucalyptus species in New Zealand. New Forests 43, 255–266 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-011-9279-3

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